Question
Hello

I am 29, pregnant and I have been suffering from meralgia paresthetica  on my right thigh since I was 3,5 months. I am now 6,5 months pregnant and the pain has not subsided.

It started as numbness and escalated into the burning , stabbing and electrifying sensation.
There was a point I used clutches to walk. The pain changes forms and culminates unexpectedly.
I can't sleep at night either because of the spasmodic pain or because of the hypersensitivity in the area.
Also when I stepped my foot I felt that I was bypassed by electricity to the point I burst into tears each time.thank god that period has subsided .. For now..

I visited a chiropractor who performed massage on L1 and L2 as well as manipulative massage and stretching but that made the pain much much worse to the point I had to have a cortisone injection around     the ligament hoping to resolve this from my orthopedist . The injection , I was told doesn't have immediate results which I witnessed as the pain was so bad for 10 continuing days. After that the pain was reduced slightly , but I had to go to hell and back.

In the meantime I also went to a neurologist who gave me a neurograph which just confirmed that we are actually talking about the lateral femoral nerve and that it seems to be entrapped ! The neurologist also subscribed me some anti epileptic pills at a low dosage due to my pregnancy and B12 vitamins.

He also suggested an MRI , but he insisted that I consider operation during pregnancy.
My gynaecologist opposed to such action therefore all i am left with is the hope that this will resolve on it's own after birth.

I have read hundreds of posts on the Internet but I haven't found reliable proof that this actually resolves after birth.

Will this torture continue when I have the newborn? Will my nerve be damaged for ever after so many months of compression?
Why is there so little about meralgia paresthetica when science is doing wonders?
Would you be able to provide me with any statistics?


Thank you

Answer
Laura,

I cannot provide you with any statistics concerning your symptoms. I can tell you that there is a good likely hood that your pelvis may be Subluxated which is causing a pelvic ligament to put pressure on the anterior cutaneous nerve which is in all likely hood causing your symptoms. I suggest you continue getting your pelvis adjusted throughout the rest of your pregnancy and also after delivery and see if the chiropractor can normalize the pelvic bones which should in turn relax the nerve pressure. You can get an MRI after delivery and I agree with you not to have one while pregnant.

I am not licensed to give information about any medications but I suggest you Google the side effects and encourage you to speak to your gynecologist concerning your medications and thier affect on your baby.

Sincerely,
Dr John Quackenbush