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Originally Posted by sinisterporpoise
Hello. I'm a new user here and I hope not to be here very long. I've just got a few quick questions. I've read several stories here and I think I am lucky. I got a doctor fairly on who was able to figure out what was causing my problem. (He used the words "entrapped lateral femoral cutaneous nerve." Now, if I understand it, this is another way of saying meralgia paresthetica. I did not have to wait months or years for a diagnosis. He was only the second medical professional I had consulted about it.
If you do not mind, I have some questions. How long should it take to get over the symptoms? The initial doctor said no medications would help. (I had no insurance and had to go to a free clinic. I should resolve this issue soon.) He also said losing weight was the most likely cause in my case. His solution is to lose more weight. I hope this is correct, although his solution seems counter intuitive.
This is not helping me in the meantime. I have two jobs. I am a freelance writer. Because that pays inconsistently, I also am an event specialist. (I work for the company that hands out food at Sam's Club.) This job requires me to stand all day. By the end of the day, I am almost crying because of the pain. Today someone asked me if I was about to faint. Now, I'd like to go armed to the next appointment with possible ways to reduce the pain.
Is the doctor right and how long should I expect this to last? I assume, with the exception of the quick diagnosis, that my case is typical. I hope it is. I don't want to deal with this any longer than I have to.
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Hi Sinisterporpoise,
Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear you are suffering with MP. Yes, you have it exactly correct.
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(He used the words "entrapped lateral femoral cutaneous nerve." Now, if I understand it, this is another way of saying meralgia paresthetica.
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How long should it take to get over the symptoms?
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That depends. Some people have a spontaneous resolution, some live with it forever. In my opinion, as long as the LFCN remains compressed, one will continue to experience the symptoms of it being compressed. IF excess weight is what caused the compression, then losing weight will be beneficial. If one's weight has nothing to do with it, then weight loss is not going to change anything. The key is to remove the cause of the compression.
It is a purely sensory nerve but can certainly cause pain. Standing will exacerbate it in many people. If standing is what precipitates an episode for you, and you must do that for your work, you may try to keep the affected leg bent by propping it up on something and shifting your stand to the other leg. That was the advice given me by a neurosurgeon. Sit whenever possible. Are you allowed to sit if you have no customers from time to time? Does sitting help resolve the pain?
Many years ago, the only time I would have episodes of intense pain was upon standing or walking. Sitting would resolve it in a short time until I stood again. Then it progressed to pain in all positions. I did not have to stand to experience the pain. Sitting would bring it on and then even laying down. Then it began to interfere with sleep.
If you have not had MP for very long, there is a very good chance that it could resolve on its own. The longer the nerve is compressed, the less likely it will resolve. It can take months for recovery.
Physical therapy is an option. (Especially aquatic) Pain patches help some people. Wishing you better days and hoping you can have a spontaneous and complete resolution. Remember, the key is to avoid compressing the nerve.
How your LFCN became compressed is important for knowing the prognosis.
The trick is to keep the LFCN "happy". As I call it after many years of dealing with MP, when the LFCN gets
angry, it will let you know. You need to find out how to make it happy. My LFCN hates me and I can no longer make it happy. Hope you can find a way to appease the monster.