NeuroTalk Support Groups - Sharing my MP experiences

NeuroTalk Support Groups (https://www.neurotalk.org/)

- Meralgia Paresthetica (https://www.neurotalk.org/meralgia-paresthetica/)

- - Sharing my MP experiences (https://www.neurotalk.org/meralgia-paresthetica/193799-sharing-mp-experiences.html)

Unanswered Questions

Quote:

Originally Posted by lfw57 (Post 1012840)

Hi all -

I am a 49 year old woman recently diagnosed with MP. I work in the computer industry so I sit for many hours a day and am not very active, with the exception of walking several times a week.

In an attempt to get back in shape I started doing some "gentle" yoga and I over stretched my hip flexor. A few weeks after that I had shooting, burning pain down my left outer leg and since then (about two months now) severe pain in my lower left back.

After two ER visits, two inconclusive MRIs and countless doctor visits, I was finally diagnosed with MP by my chiropractor. I believe mine was caused by an inflammation/aggravation of the tendon(s) in the pelvic area due to over stretching, combined with some muscle tightness in my hip and butt due to sitting for too long,, poor posture, etc.

I did recover almost 100% in about 3 weeks mainly due to a technique called Active Release Technique (ART) which is a soft tissue treatment performed by my chiropractor. Unfortunately, I had a relapse two weeks ago because I went back to work too soon and sat for too long. The second time my symptoms were the same but seemed to shift slightly to also include tenderness in my outer-lower back.

I think for me I have nerve entrapments going on in a few places: my pelvic area and outer lower back which seems to be consistent with the path of the femoral nerve. I'm hopeful that if I continue with the chiropractor and make the necessary lifestyle changes I can free myself of this condition. It has been a frightening time (as I'm sure you all can relate to).

None of the pain medications prescribed to me worked... Tramadol lessened the pain slightly, but not all the time. Has anyone had success with a specific pain medication when the pain gets severe? When it was at it's worst, I would resort to taking Flexeril since it would knock me out which was the only thing that would relieve the pain. Not a good long-term strategy, I know but I was desperate.

Also, I had a partial laproscopic hysterectomy two years ago, and I'm wondering if scar tissue can form over a long period of time... that it might be contributing to the problem. (Not sure if anyone can answer this question, but what the hell... thought I'd throw it out there anyway)

Am so thankful to have found this message board... seems this is a common problem, unfortunately.

Thank you to all and my best to everyone here,

Lisa

Hi Lisa,

I am sorry I rambled on with my other responses and never answered your questions. Getting a diagnosis puts you way ahead of the curve. Sometimes it takes years for MP sufferers to get a diagnosis. They are often undiagnosed and mis-diagnosed. While there are MANY different causes of MP, entrapment after a surgical procedure is definitely one of them and could very well be the culprit for you. On the other hand, it could just be a temporary insult to the nerve from stretching as you mentioned.

Some people have a spontaneous improvement while others suffer for years.

Personally, and from much of my research, most medications for other neurological pain, have little to no effect on MP, but it is still one of the early and conservative methods of treatment. Physical therapy is one of the first steps in treatment.

Sitting for prolonged periods of time can be a trigger for some with MP.
Walking and standing were and are my worst precipitating factors. Sitting used to give me relief several years ago.

MRI's are good for ruling out other conditions, tumors, radiculopathies, etc.

There is no specific test for MP, it is diagnosed by clinical exam and ruling out other possibilities. That is why it is so frustrating and difficult to get a diagnosis some times.

Have you seen anyone other than your chiropractor? A neurologist?

I hope you will continue to drop in and visit with me and keep us posted on your journey.

Thanks for your post.

Hopeless

Topical cataimine/gabapentin cream! These have help many people with nerve disorders that do not want to take gabapentin orally.

Calamare treatment based from doctors in NJ, Cleveland clinic has one now as well because it was helping the CRPS patients so well.

I tried lots of steroid injections, all it did was give me diabetes. We did 6 months worth in 4 weeks, because of cross appointment scheduling. Never lasted long enough to be worth it.

Because of the weight gain because walking/standing exercising causes more problems than it fixed, the neurosurgeon and I decided to try to release the nerve. Once he got in there because of the 15+ years of damage the nerve was too damaged to be repaired. So he cut it just above the hip. This is where I learned what MP was all about, and how it is truly just light touch. It has been so long with normal feeling it feels no different except the tearing burning is now gone. I still feel pressure, there is no muscle control. I just do not feel the hair on my leg. Still not sure about heat and cold after 2 years.. I have not felt that in a decade on that area anyway.

Deep water aerobic before surgery was so helpful for general aching.. And just relaxing.. Getting in the pool with a floatations belt taking the weight off my hip was better than opioids sometimes :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hopeless (Post 1016442)

Hi Lisa,

I am back. Part 3
My doc and I both wanted to try a second time with a direct nerve block into the LFCN. He used different combo of meds in the injection the 2nd time. At first there was NO benefit. A week past and NO benefit. After about 10-14 days I began to sleep without being jolted by electrical shocks. I could sit for about 90 minutes. I made it through a grocery trip without crying in pain. I was getting close to the unbearable stage but made it out of the store before desires for amputation. Since I experienced about a 20-30% improvement with the 2nd injection, we are going for a third next month.

All prior efforts at relief had failed so I am glad for the injections. Went through physical therapy, aqua therapy, spinal blocks, Lyrica and neurontin meds, TENS unit, pain patches, etc. etc. The injections directly into the LFCN have been the ONLY thing to give me any relief. My only expectation from the injections is temporary "calming" of the nerve and I will be happy with that and will be glad to repeat it as often as possible.