Question:
anyone have pain in thigh - like pins and needles - out six months?

Hi everyone, I had my RNY about 6 1/2 months ago and have lost 80 pounds. I'm thrilled. However, for the past couple of weeks, I have had this pain in my right thigh that comes and goes - especially bad in the middle of the night. It feels like pins and needles, really bad sunburn, like someone poured a pot of boiling water over my leg. It has woken me up in the middle of the night a couple of times and I've been unable to get back to sleep the pain was so bad. I've been to my PCP twice and he said it's because of the rapid weight loss. He said there is a nerve across the top of the thigh and apparently this nerve was used to having the weight against it. Now the weight isn't there and it's complaining. He has put me on Amitriptyline (sp?) for the nerve pain and wants me to see a neurologist. Problem is, the earliest appointment I can get with the neurologist is JAN 5th!! What to do until then? Has anyone else been through this? If so, did it eventually just go away when the nerve accepted the fact that the weight was gone for good? My PCP said he is sure of the diagnosis but doesn't know what to do about it. Makes me feel really good! Thanks for any advice.    — kathyb (posted on September 23, 2003)

September 23, 2003
MERALGIA PARESTHETICA Nerves must pass over, under, around and through your joints, bones, and muscles. Usually, there is enough room to permit easy passage. But swelling, trauma, or pressure can narrow these openings and squeeze the nerve. When that happens, pain, paralysis, or other dysfunction may result. A painful, burning sensation on the outer side of the thigh may mean that one of the large sensory nerves (lateral femoral cutaneous nerve) to your legs is being compressed. This condition is known as meralgia paresthetica (me-ral'-gee-a par-es-thet'-i-ka). Signs and Symptoms Pain on the outer side of the thigh, occasionally extending to the outer side of the knee A burning sensation, tingling, or numbness in the same area Occasionally, aching in the groin area or pain spreading across the buttocks Usually only on one side of the body Usually more sensitive to light touch than to firm pressure Diagnosis During a physical examination, your physician will ask about recent surgeries, injury to the hip, or repetitive activities that could irritate the nerve. He or she will also check for any sensory differences between the affected leg and your other leg. To verify the site of the burning pain, the physician will put some pressure on the nerve to reproduce the sensation. You may need both an abdominal and a pelvic examination to exclude any problems in those areas. X-rays will help identify any bone abnormalities that might be putting pressure on the nerve. If your physician suspects that a growth such as a tumor is the source of the pressure, you may need to get an MRI or CT (computed tomography) scan. In rare cases, a nerve conduction study may be advised. Restrictive clothing, being overweight and how you are positioned in surgery are common reasons for pressure on a nerve. Your physician may ask if you wear a heavy tool belt at work or if you consistently wear a tight corset or girdle. He or she may recommend a weight loss program. Treatment Treatments will vary, depending on the source of the pressure. It may take time for the burning pain to stop and, in some cases, numbness will persist despite treatment. The goal is to remove the cause of the compression. This may mean resting from an aggravating activity, losing weight, wearing loose clothing, or using a toolbox instead of wearing a tool belt. In more severe cases, your physician may give you an injection of a corticosteroid preparation to reduce inflammation. This generally relieves the symptoms for some time. In rare cases, surgery is needed to release the nerve...............over the counter capsaicin cream is helpful for this condition.
   — jennifer A.

September 23, 2003
I have just started having pain and numbness in my thigh. I am going to go to a chiropractor. Most gen MD's think they are quacks but I can truely say I LOVE mine. He cured years of Migraines. I am down to about 2 a year where I was leaving work at one times 3x's a week. It was awful. One time he adjusted me and said. " you should have been having pains in your arm" I was. He knew enough that what he adjusted was effecting my arm without me saying anything. Try one You may be out $70 bucks depending on your insurance but if it works..... Ask around because I have been to some htat should of had bills and web feet. (quack quack).
   — Rebecca K.

September 23, 2003
Also losing a large amount of weight in a short period can cause this condition as well.Just like when you gain weight your bones muscles and nerves have to adjust to accomodate .....the same thing happens when you lose weight.
   — jennifer A.

September 23, 2003
I have the exact same thing. You clinched it when you said "sunburn". Mine is an external pain mixed with sometimes numbing and then the pins/needles come at night. I have had since I was released from the hospital from my surgery. MY pcp said it is a pinched nerve - specificially the nerve between my L1 & L2 vertabrae. He said that physical therapy and possibly a chiropractor would fix it but since I've been so new to being post-op, I can't do much more than walk. He's had me on low-dose hydrocordone which 1 teaspoon in the morning seems to work well for the day (pain never fully goes away). It's actually not "pain" per se except that pins stuff at night. Anyways, now that I am more active, it's not so bad. Friday is my surgeon post-op mtg where I expect to get released for full activity. I will ask about chiropractor at that time and am going to try that. I've heard the diagnosis your dr. has given - "fat supporting ___" but in my case, I'm hoping a chiropractor will help. Not sure what your insurance covers but if it covers those type appts, you might try it - Feel free to write me privately if you want to chat about things. I'm moving over the next 4 days and my pc may not be the first thing I put up but hopefully, we both feel better soon. :)
   — Donya P.