Losing weight pinched nerve. More weight loss = cure.

After several weeks of sever pain, a doctor finally figured out what was going on in my thigh. It was a pinched lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, also known as meralgia paresthetica, as far as I know. He even said my weight loss -- which he praised -- had caused the body to removed protective layers from fat around the nerve. While I am skeptical the same thing that caused the problem will work as its cure, I'm willing to give it a try. I've run into a problem though. As long as the nerve remains pinched, I can't stand, walk, or do much exercise for long periods of time. (Okay, technically I can. It just really hurts. It's gotten up to a six on a scale of one to ten at times. I rated a kidney stone I had last year at a 7.) So, what's a good way to follow the doctor's advice and minimize the pain?

Replies

  • laratacita
    laratacita Posts: 53 Member
    If anyone has any insight on this issue, I'd appreciate it.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    Look on youtube for chair or floor exercises. The pool would be good too. Also yoga with a good teacher.
  • jwbelcher
    jwbelcher Posts: 2 Member
    edited September 2018
    I've lost 35 lbs in two months and think I might have a pinched nerve in my hip due to my weight loss.

    I hope your doing better now. How did it turn out? I still need to lose more, wondering if that helped you.

  • RelCanonical
    RelCanonical Posts: 3,882 Member
    There are exercises that can help reduce the pain while you work on losing more. https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/meralgia-paresthetica-exercises

    Eating is definitely going to be the main driver for weightloss, so focus on that and don't worry if you have trouble with exercising at this point in time if you're doing what to can to reduce pain.
  • NovusDies
    NovusDies Posts: 8,940 Member
    I went through some leg pain and numbness. It lasted for about 20lbs. I probably should have looked up exercises to alleviate it but I didn't.
  • solieco1
    solieco1 Posts: 1,559 Member
    I have been fighting a nerve thing for 18 mos. I have seen every expert in the business. I am finally seeing some positive results with Active Release Technique. Here is the provider list, might be worth a short consult if there's someone in your area.

    http://activerelease.com/find-a-provider.asp
  • Candyspun
    Candyspun Posts: 370 Member
    I've had a lot of help from stretches. I'm sure results would vary from person to person, but definitely worth a shot
  • PAV8888
    PAV8888 Posts: 14,165 Member
    I still do wonder how the op's condition has changed these past four years! Has she improved? I hope so, cause it sounds painful!
  • solieco1
    solieco1 Posts: 1,559 Member
    PAV8888 wrote: »
    I still do wonder how the op's condition has changed these past four years! Has she improved? I hope so, cause it sounds painful!

    Good eye - nevermind!
  • PAV8888
    PAV8888 Posts: 14,165 Member
    solieco1 wrote: »
    Good eye - nevermind!

    Well, I do hope YOUR nerve pinch thing improves too. They're not fun!
  • jwbelcher
    jwbelcher Posts: 2 Member
    Hope so too! Thanks everyone for the recommendations. My hip pain comes and goes, but last night it was extremely sensitive. I'm curious how much of this is weight loss related, because I recently started experiencing some tingling in my mid back, which has me off exercise for now. I'm hoping that reducing my weight more will resolve both issue. I am scheduled to see a Dr on Thursday for my back as I really don't want to take any chances there.
  • Torxa
    Torxa Posts: 61 Member
    I ended up with a pinched nerve in my back after a car accident. I used a TENS device to alleviate the pain enough to move around normally, then focused on stretching and moving. This worked, mostly.

    That nerve has never completely fixed itself. Sometimes it pinches, but it's never been to the point of affecting my movement again because now I know how to stretch and move it out before it gets that bad. You can ask your doctor about TENS. Mine was around $20 on Amazon and I still have it.
  • successgal1
    successgal1 Posts: 996 Member
    I have permanent aches and pains from a car accident in 2004. I can attest that losing weight, gaining weight, and fitness level do change my body in such ways that I will either have more pain or less. When fat is lost and there's a new pain, muscle strength can remediate it. Keeping my back and core stronger takes the pressure off my spine for example.
  • SoleTrainer60
    SoleTrainer60 Posts: 180 Member
    I went to my doctor due to having pain in my hip and thigh. I found that the pain was due to sciatica nerve pain. I was referred to a physical therapist. The exercises helped me very much. You might want to consider going to your doctor.Perhaps it could be sciatica nerve pain.