I think I will start taking silk scarves to cover my shoulders and arms.
Thanks for this idea.

Thanks for the tip mrsD. Is the memory foam pretty easy on the skin? I guess I could put som sort of pillow case over it if it bothered me. The ice packs work, but I'm not sure how good it is for my body to be 'iced' most of the day.

My cushion is covered in a plastic cover... I put a towel over that because it makes me sweat in the heat.(we don't have A/C)

Comes in two sizes.
http://www.overstock.com/Health-Beau...1/product.html

The fibers of the towel, MRs.D, bothers me. Maybe to some, it's okay.
thank you.

I put quilts under me a lot, so I would probably make a quilted pad to put over the memory foam. Upholstery fabric bothers me, and so would a towel. But memory foam does sound wonderful.

I hate having the house look like an invalid lives here, but quilts and pillows and soft things make such a difference!

For well over a year I have been mostly wearing sport clothing that is water resistent. Zip off pants and button up shirts that are as light as a feather. They can pass as casual dress clothes for work or for any activity. Closest thing to wearing nothing and now when I put on a pair of jeans I change right back. They make this stuff for both men and women but many of my female friends have better luck in the mens section. they are in any sports store. the moisture resistance also adds to the comfort and they dry very quickly.

I read about zip off pants. I think I would feel the metal in zipper. I have found nylon does work out for me. I found nylon dresses at Gordman's. I found some nylon Danskin pants at Walmart. I go a size up on pants.

Just came across your post and wondering if you or others have any lessons to share. I've got burning thighs (both). Diagnosed as PN but I almost feel like I have some type of skin infection + a nerve issue. Serious unbearable discomfort on wearing pants but some pants are not bad compared to others (even though all are 100% cotton - but seems like pant to pant the sensitivity is significantly different). I am using Gabapentin at a very low dose. I have tried Bcomplex but not B12 directly. Calamine lotion too. Nothing works though except being in shorts!

* any specific pants of material/brand of pants (mens) that works best? basically it seems like softest would be best based on my experience so far
* do pants that use twill/stain free/wrinkle free have something that could increase discomfort?
* any specific relief therapy - acupuncture?
* any specific skin treatment (topical ointment)?
* any other issues that could play a role (ex: I have been taking high BP and baby aspirin for years)?
* any impact of laundry detergent used on comfort of pants?
* any other ideas to get through a work day/commute?

Thanks for any tips.

Only the thighs? I have another question too. What type of blood pressure pill? Is it an ACE inhibitor? This family of drugs causes all sorts of grief for some people. I had a massive crisis reaction to lisinopril last Feb...due to the build up of bradykinin that these drugs cause. Burning stabbing pain everywhere, and swelling, and GI pain, and breathing difficulty.

Pain only in the thighs may be meralgia paresthetica. This is a sensory pathway nerve from L4-L5 in the back and gets compressed as it passes thru the abdomen. It exits at the top of the thigh near the side. Using Lidoderm patches at the exit,
sometimes puts the nerve to sleep (lateral femoral nerve).
this link has more:
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0401/p2109.html
Figure 2B shows the location where the nerve exits the abdomen.
I had this as a consequence of a surgery (C-section). Using the Lidoderm patches when they first came out, resulted in a remission for me, after 14 days or so. I had had it for over a decade before! I only had it on the right side.

I do have burning on the tops of my thighs intermittently as part of hereditary neuropathy which has progressed up to my shoulders and hips. I pick my pants with care as some of them are more likely to cause trouble than others. A man would have far fewer choices, loose yoga pants are the most comfortable for me, they are a poly/Lycra /rayon blend. Jeans become unbearable after a short time, especially if I give into vanity and wear ones that fit closely as opposed to baggy, saggy ones. My favorite hiking pants are a nylon blend and they do irritate the skin, despite not being tight. I think the nylon fibers are the culprit- they seem to create uncomfortable friction.
A soft, all cotton khaki, such as L.L.Bean makes might be your best best, pre washed, and a size up. Polyester irritates my son, who has this disease as well, and wrinkle free finishes are chemically treated. If you tolerate microfiber, there are some extremely lightweight men's dress pants available. It is polyester, but has a softer hand.
If it is any consolation, this is a symptom that waxes and wanes for some of us, so it may improve.