Hi there I'm new to this. Just looking for info/support to keep me sane while I wait to see my neurologist.
My doctor thinks I've got Meralgia Paresthetica, it started with discomfort in lower back and abs but has now resulted in strange numbness in both thighs and a "band like" sensation above my knees. I can't bear to wear jeans cos it feels all "clammy". I also have tingly fingers and toes. Anyone have similar symptoms? I thought MP was just in the outer thigh? It's the second time I've had this, the last episode was 6 months ago and it cleared up after 10 days.

Welcome to Neuro Talk! So sorry to hear you are having problems, hope all will be well once you see the doc! We do have a forum that will hopefully be able to give you answers....keep us updated!!

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum76.html

Jenbear,

Hello and welcome each of you to NeuroTalk. Happy to see you have come to be with us. Here are a great number of dear friends to listen when you are in need of ears. Please let us know how we can help you out. You will find out we are supportive and relaxing place.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene

Welcome to Neurotalk:

MP typically only affects the lateral femoral sensory nerve. This can be compressed in the upper thigh(tight jeans/clothing) or arise from damage in the abdomen (surgery or trauma) or in the lumbar region compression at L4 or L5 (people genetically vary where this nerve splits off the spine--tight belts or sitting on a hip pocket with a wallet may compress at this location).
People donating bone marrow, in the hip, sometimes have damage to this nerve.

A bilateral problem like you describe suggests the spine, or very tight jeans compressing your groin area.

Other sensations imply compression of other nerves.
MP typically is only on the front and lateral thigh and ends at the knee.

Here is a link with a diagram:
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0401/p2109.html

I have found that HEAT will trigger mine. Cold is preferred. So if you go in hot tubs, or steam rooms, beware. Mine developed from a C-section, 31 yrs ago. It is now in remission which I luckily developed using Lidoderm patches on my upper thigh where the nerve exists the abdomen.

Figure 2B illustrates the lateral femoral sensory nerve clearly, at the link in this post.

Thanks Mrs D. I've been going out of my mind with worry, imagining all sorts of diagnosis but I'm generally healthy otherwise, very active and have no other symptoms.

It seems worse when I've been sitting too long (at work) and in the morning when I first get up but after moving about it seems to ease. The pins and needles in my feet has gone today but my finger tips are still a bit tingly. My lower legs feel better too but still have strange numbness around and just above my knees. My appt with neuro is in aug, hopefully he'll sort out an MRI which I guess may shed some light.
Thanks again - I feel like a moaner if I talk to my husband about it!