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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffIt's a good idea to prepare for your appointment. Here's some information to help you.
What you can do.
- List the symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
- Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
- Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you're taking.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Preparing a list of questions for your doctor will help you make the most of your time together. For meralgia paresthetica, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
- What kinds of tests do I need?
- Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
- What is the best course of action?
- What are the alternatives to the primary approach you're suggesting?
- I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
- Are there any restrictions that I need to honor?
- Should I see a specialist?
Don't hesitate to ask any other questions you have.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor likely will have questions, too, including:
- On what part of your leg, specifically, are you experiencing symptoms?
- Have you had any recent surgeries?
- Have you had any recent injuries to your hip area, such as from a seat belt in a motor vehicle accident?
- Do you regularly do repetitive activities that affect your hip area, such as cycling?
- Have you gained weight?
- Have you recently been pregnant?
- Do you have diabetes?
- Is the burning or tingling occasional or continuous?
- How severe is your discomfort or pain?
- Are there any activities that worsen your symptoms?
- Is there any weakness?
What you can do in the meantime
If your pain is bothersome, over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) or aspirin may be helpful. Also avoid tight clothing.
- Anderson BC. Meralgia paresthetica (lateral femoral cutaneous nerve entrapment). http://www.uptodate.com/jhome/index.html. Accessed Nov. 22, 2010.
- Burning thigh pain (meralgia paresthetica). American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00340. Accessed Nov. 30, 2010.
- NINDS meralgia paresthetica information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/meralgia_paresthetica/meralgia_paresthetica.htm. Accessed Nov. 30, 2010.
- Harney D, et al. Meralgia paresthetica: Diagnosis and management strategies. Pain Medicine. 2007;8:669.
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