How to kill this thigh pain?

[CAPP0]

I've got really bad nerve pain in the side of my thigh, about where the trouser seam is. It's like sciatica but ten times worse - it's making me feel queasy at times, it's so bad. And the kicker? I'm going away for a week's skiing tomorrow morning

It's generally better when I sit down than when I stand. Tried ibuprofen, tried some naproxen which I have lying around but it's a few years old now, but nothing seems to be touching it. Started randomly a couple of days ago, obviously I didn't contemplate going to the GP as I thought it was just a trapped nerve and would pass, but it hasn't.

Anything I can do, or anything I can get over the counter now?

Thanks.

[Brads67]

Google IT band pain.

[citizensm1th]

maybe try a tens machine readily available from tescos if you can get to one with a open pharmacy

I use one for moderate back pain on occasion.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=tens+tesco&i...

[Lynx516]

Is your belt too tight? Are you very overweight?

I could be you have trapped your lateral cuteneous nerve of the thigh( can’t tell without actually examining you). As with all things if this doesn’t go away see your gp.

[CAPP0]

Brads67 said:

Google IT band pain.

Thank you. Seems to be mostly a runners thing? I'm not sedentary but I don't run either - walking and cycling mostly.

Lynx516 said:

Is your belt too tight? Are you very overweight?

I could be you have trapped your lateral cuteneous nerve of the thigh( can’t tell without actually examining you). As with all things if this doesn’t go away see your gp.

I'll keep an eye on the belt but no tighter than I ever have it (which is, not terribly, and literally to hold my trousers up as I don't have a huge backside). Weight-wise, well according to the textbooks I'm overweight, at 16st / 6' 4" tall. I should definitely drop half a stone, maybe a bit more, but I don't have a visible gut, or rolls of fat anywhere. I will Google that nerve though, thanks. Point about the TENS machine noted, is there anything else I can do short term? This literally came on on Thursday afternoon/evening, out of nowhere.

[grumbledoak]

It sounds like Iliotibial band (ITB) pain. Try a foam roller.

ETA-
http://www.stretching-exercises-guide.com/iliotibi...

Edited by grumbledoak on Saturday 10th March 18:36

[CAPP0]

Lynx516 said:

I could be you have trapped your lateral cuteneous nerve of the thigh( can’t tell without actually examining you).

Remote diagnosis looks spot on! Google said:

Signs and symptoms:

Pain on the outer side of the thigh, occasionally extending to the outer side of the knee, usually constant. Yes, bit not to the knee, it's maybe the top 2/3 of the thigh
A burning sensation, tingling, or numbness in the same area I guess burning describes it. it's almost like toothache but "sharper"?
Multiple bee-sting like pains in the affected area No
Occasionally, aching in the groin area or pain spreading across the buttocks Buttock yes, groin no
Usually more sensitive to light touch than to firm pressure Haven't noticed this, or the one below (I've just put Tiger Balm on it out of desperation!)
Hyper sensitivity to heat (warm water from shower feels like it is burning the area)
Occasionally, patients may complain of itching or a bothersome sensation rather than pain in the affected area. No, definitely not itchy. It's bloody painful!

GP advice duly noted

[CAPP0]

Just to update on this: I went away skiing as planned last weekend. Sunday and Monday the pain was still pretty intense, although I was able to ski OK. Monday evening, I had a very hot sauna and then found my way into the hotel pool, which at one end had a metal bench under the water which had jacuzzi-like bubbles - not direct jets but a constant steady stream.

Anyway, not sure which it was but several hours later my mate asked me how my leg was, and I realised the pain had gone. Hasn't returned since. Can only assume that one or other of the above jolted something back into place.

[The_Doc]

CAPP0 said:

Lynx516 said:

I could be you have trapped your lateral cuteneous nerve of the thigh( can’t tell without actually examining you).

Remote diagnosis looks spot on! Google said:

Signs and symptoms:

Pain on the outer side of the thigh, occasionally extending to the outer side of the knee, usually constant. Yes, bit not to the knee, it's maybe the top 2/3 of the thigh
A burning sensation, tingling, or numbness in the same area I guess burning describes it. it's almost like toothache but "sharper"?
Multiple bee-sting like pains in the affected area No
Occasionally, aching in the groin area or pain spreading across the buttocks Buttock yes, groin no
Usually more sensitive to light touch than to firm pressure Haven't noticed this, or the one below (I've just put Tiger Balm on it out of desperation!)
Hyper sensitivity to heat (warm water from shower feels like it is burning the area)
Occasionally, patients may complain of itching or a bothersome sensation rather than pain in the affected area. No, definitely not itchy. It's bloody painful!

GP advice duly noted

Accurate name for this - Meralgia Paraesthetica, if you can ease the nerve compression at the waist/hip area, then the downstream symptoms settle.

Its a type of causalgia

But it CAN'T really cause buttock pain, the nerve doesn't go there, it comes across the front of the thigh. I've seen it and the M11 motorway goes to Cambridge, not Bristol.