MP can present in various manners. Several people have been diagnosed with MP and come to the forum for support. Many have been misdiagnosed and that became evident when they further described their symptoms stating things like the pain runs down into my lower leg and calf area. That is a flag that MP was an incorrect diagnosis as MP would not cause pain in their calf area. Another poster diagnosed with MP stated weakness in their leg. Another flag for mis-diagnosis as MP does not affect muscle and does not cause "weakness".

MP can show up on the side of the thigh or front of the thigh or both. Symptoms could include burning pain like a hot poker, ice cold like a block of ice being held on the thigh, numbness, electrical shocks like being hit by a bolt of lightning or a stun gun, and a few other symptoms. The person may experience only one symptom or many symptoms. Another symptom is feeling extreme sensitivity in the affected area. The slightest touch of something on the area will produce painful sensations.

Many times, the ligament over the iliac crest will rub against the LFCN, irritating it and be the cause of MP. Compression of the LFCN at any point along its course may result in MP.

If any of the symptoms appear in areas other than the anterior or lateral thigh, it is not MP. (Unless the patient has MP AND another neuropathy simultaneously.) I am guessing that a person could be afflicted with both MP and another "leg" neuropathy such as sciatica which produces pain in the buttock area and back of leg.

Just out of curiosity, does the person engage in any particular activity that will precipitate an episode of pain? Standing was my first precipitating activity. Then walking became one. Sitting would resolve the pain in the first few years but as the LFCN became more damaged, it did not take any precipitating activity and sitting was no longer a resolution. With continual damage to the LFCN, it became constant even when sleeping.

There are a few "key" symptoms that would direct a physician toward a diagnosis of MP, but there are also many symptoms that would also rule it out.

Many physicians have failed to diagnose MP and many have also provided a diagnosis of MP incorrectly. I have also encountered physicians that have never heard of Meralgia Paresthetica.

There is also no one size fits all treatment for MP. If the gabapentin does not work for your friend, please have her seek alternative modalities of treatment until she finds one that will provide relief. There are several options including physical therapy, TENS unit, Lidoderm pain patches, oral medications, nerve blocks, radio frequency ablation, modifications of aggravating factors, and as a very last resort surgery. And spontaneous resolution is always a possibility.

Thanks for trying to help your friend. MP can be very painful.