Both this post and your post for Magnets came at a very good time for me, as I have had 2 very bad days, with both Meralgia Paresthetica and the lower back pain that seems to accompany it. I know what brings it on - sitting too long in one position. But, last week, I was on a mission and couldn't tear myself away from the computer. So have suffered since mid-Friday afternoon. All my own fault.
I have had Meralgia Paresthetica since Aug 2007. Several CT Scans and MRIs revealed no cause of nerve compression. I was told that even without finding a cause of compression, the Meralgia Paresthetica could eventually go away on its own. It has not. Most times it is tolerable. But other times, it immobilizes me.
It wasn't until I saw the GYN for my annual checkup, the most likely reason was revealed: I have had surgery for endo 11 times. Since I had relocated, my current GYN only performed the last surgery, and told me later he had never seen someone with so much scar tissue. He believes the compression is most likely from scar tissue. I think he is probably right.
So, long story long, I have looked at the 3D body map (great site btw) and can find where that nerve leaves the thigh, but can't see where it actually attaches to the spine. I did find the attached image from Wikipedia that shows it splits and attaches to both L2 and L3. So, I looked at the 3D body map Spine...
Vertabrae (spine)
...and found L2 and L3. Is this the location you found worked for you? If not, would you mind sharing the location?
I'm going to contact my doctor today to try and get some Lidoderm patches.
Thank you so much for your timely post. I'm going to also post some questions under your post for Magnets.