Has anyone had meralgia paresthetica?
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hello, Has anybody else had (or still have) meralgia paresthetica ? It's caused by a compressed nerve in your leg. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. I got mine from the internal scar from an inguinal hernia repair. Most of the time it's pretty dormant, and I can forget about it. But lately when I've been walking on a treadmill almost daily since New years, the pain has been returning. My question is what have you done for relief? I know this is a very rare condition so I don't expect much of a response, but if you know about this, please share with me. Thank You.
1 like, 8 replies
mgb2010 ctrix1
Edited
Hello,
I discovered in the last 2-3 months that the skin sensation in one of my thighs has significantly deteriorated. This was also accompanied with symptoms of skin burning sensation. Initially, I had no idea what this might have been; hence I started looking up medical literature on the internet.
Having read a few articles, it become apparent that these look like textbook symptoms of Meralgia Paraesthetica (MP). Consequently; I have visited the GP who confirmed that it is most likely to be MP.
I see that causes of LFCN damage/compression in your case are related to the previous hernia operation. I am actually wondering what exactly has caused the compression/entrapment of the LFCN in my case and most importantly in exactly which point of the LFCN the problem is located.
Having discussed this with the GP, I was informed that any forms of invasive/intrusive investigation are risky, as they can do more damage to the nerve itself and to its surroundings than good. Also, I was informed that MRI Scan, which could potentially be a good method to investigate it further, is apparently not available on the NHS. Medical literature lists several methods of investigation and treatment, including ultrasound examination, which to me sounds as probably the least intrusive method.
So far, I had blood testing done, which is going to be repeated soon just to verify the results and I am waiting for further course of action, which – as I understand - will be one of the physical therapies such as manipulation, massage and stretching exercises, to start with.
As it stands at the minute, on most occasions I feel burning pain usually when I am sitting on a comfy sofa with legs on a footstool being kept for some time (e.g. when watching TV etc.). Sometimes, the pain could be excruciating, in which case I usually lift the knee and hold it for some time to get a pain relief, which seems to work. Overall, I think the intensity of burning pain seems to have gone down a bit over the last weeks, or perhaps I simply got used to it.
Unless blood test results reveal anything of a particular concern (e.g. LFCN damage related to diabetes etc.), I think I will have to concentrate on a range of physical exercises and manipulation/massage techniques to begin with and see how they work.
Not sure if my comments have been helpful to your case, but I am at the very early stage of the process; hence my experience with treatment and any other forms of pain relief for the MP will naturally be very limited.
I understand you have been seen by a doctor with your MP. Have you been prescribed any particular treatment? Thanks.
ctrix1 mgb2010
Posted
Hello M,
Usually my MP stays fairly dormant now unless I spend a long time on my legs, like a few hours at a fair or theme park, or an aggressive workout at the gym, and then like you, when I pick my leg up, the pain goes away.
The first form of treatment that was tried, was drugs and they had no effect on the MP, and bad side effects for me. I tried Gabapentin Amitriptyline, and Duloxetine. Finally we went to a nerve block. First they did a diagnostic chemical injection with lidocaine. An ultrasound was used to guide the needle. It worked, but very temporarily. Relief only lasted about four or five days. After that, they did an RFA (radio frequency ablation ) on the LFCN. It had the best results. It put the burning, tingling, down to a very tolerable level for about four months. When the nerve healed back up, it would start to transmit pain again, and the procedure was repeated . After about six procedures, the pain became pretty dormant except for the conditions I stated above, that aggravate it. One thing that happened, that was kind of weird, was one day I woke up, and the side of my thigh was yellow and brown and purple like a big bruise, but it didn't hurt. That was probably a year after my last RFA to my leg.
I hope they're able to find the cause for your condition, and I hope you and your doctors can come up with a satisfactory treatment plan. I hope I was able to help. Let me know how it goes. Good Luck
ctrix1
Posted
Oh! One other thing. Even to this day, about five years after the MP first set in, that leg has very little reflex. That never changed. And when I scratch the side of my thigh, I can barely feel it.
marjorie73 ctrix1
Posted
I do believe I have it too. I have severe burning and numbing in my right thigh! I have an appointment next month with a neurologist, so I'll keep you posted. What are your symptom?
ashwin83427 marjorie73
Posted
Hi marjorie73,
How did your appointment go? Have you managed to resolve MP at all?
Thanks,
Ash
joshuapryce1987 ctrix1
Posted
Exercise your ligaments.
david23206 ctrix1
Posted
i have been struggling with MP for some years now. i have a couple of herniated discs , which i think are pressing on the nerve. some days i can get away with a few " bee stings" others, i cant bear anything touching my thigh, the numbness feels deep and the stabs take my breath.
Along with the physical pain is the constant thinking of when will the pain return when its not there, its depressing, I often feel like a fraud when trying to explain to medics and friends.
I have tried gabapentin, amitriptyline, co codamol, but didnt have much impact.
I am currently taking pregabalin 400mg day 2x200mg and topping that with cocodamol but currently struggling again. I did have a steroid injection in my groin which i found invasive and painful and ineffective so when offered another i refused especially when i read about the risks. tried acupuncture... no impact. So im still looking for pain relief answers too!
Glad to find this forum and hear im not alone. im interested to hear how people are coping and finding relief.
i do hope you find some relief.
d
ctrix1
Edited
Hello David,
I'm sorry to hear of the pain you're going through, but I can honestly say, I know exactly what you're describing. From what I understand, Meralgia is fairly rare, so there's not a lot of people who can relate to it. On the bright side of it, at least it's only a sensory nerve, so despite the pain, (if you can look beyond that) you're still able to function as usual. Also, there's a chance, that it may pretty much go away, and only send you the minor occasional reminders of its presence (the bee stings, or maybe the bruising) and you'll probably get used to the reduced feeling on the side of your thigh, or the loss of reflex when your knee cap is tapped.
It might also help if they can find the cause of it. Just what is impinging on the LFCN, and what can be done about that. For me, the nerve blocks were most effective, and eventually, I didn't need those anymore. It takes time. Good luck with it. hang in there. Rick