Meralgia Paresthetica

Hi Gang-

I haven’t been here in awhile as I have been feeling quite well but had a problem a few weeks ago that scared me. I stood up from my desk on Monday (11/20) evening and felt a slight pain in my left groin. I figured I just twisted oddly and didn’t give it another thought. Later that evening when I finally went to bed, I was still hurting but not even enough to take a Tylenol. Around 3:00 AM, the pain woke me up and it had moved from the groin area to the outside of my thigh down to my knee. I have some permanent neuropthy on my outer thighs but this was different. I took two Tylenol and went back to sleep. When I got up Tuesday morning, I could barely move and had to get my cane. I stayed off my feet all day Tuesday. Wednesday when I got up, it didn’t hurt as much but stayed on the cane. The area was numb but I had to go to the grocery store to pick up some final Thanksgiving items. (You know us GBSers—stubborn as h**l!) I hoped an electric cart would be available and there was! Got exactly what I needed and dashed home. It took all day Wednesday to prepare two things. Wednesday evening was OK but Thanksgiving Day was tough. I didn’t want to complain because the whole family was in town. But my older sister—who doesn’t miss a thing—called me later and asked me if I had sought medical attention. Well, no. Why is it that big stuff happens on weekends and holidays??? She finally took me to the ER where I was diagnosed with Meraligia Paresthetica. I’ve never heard of it so came home and Googled. The ER doctor (if he was 30, I’m a movie star!) told me there was a drug he could prescribe that was not approved for nerve problems but seemed to work. I blurted out Neurontin and he looked surprised and said yes. I told him I am five years post GBS and he got the ah-ha look on his face!

So here’s my question/request—have any of y’all ever been diagnosed with Meralgia Paresthetica and if so, how long did the numbness last and how do you feel today?

Thanks!