Steriod injection Imflammation Rebound?

[bigdonkey1]

Lateral Cutaneous nerve impingement is very painful in my thigh,. Meralgia parastetica is the diagnosis. the doctors have used cortisone injections trying to reduce the imflamation on the nerve but it keeps coming back.
is there something such as rebound imflammation? can it get worse as the medication wears off? the pregnisone dose pack works well also, but the pain comes back as soon as i stop taking the medication.
how often can i take the prednisone? i am worried about the systemic effects of the steriods, but this is the only medication that keeps the pain away in any real manner.
any help would be appreciated.

[bigdonkey1]

Steroids are helpful and you confirmed what i thought.
they are considering using Enbrel to see if it will lower the immflation since it is very helpful with other types of issues.
but now i am concerned about the use of this drug, and the serious side affects related to it.
What about radiofrequency ablation for numbing the nerve transmission? what are the potential side affects from this treatment. i am a fifty year old male in good health. this crazy rollercoaster of pain must stop.
they tell me that this may never go away. i am concerned with this prognosis as you must be sure. they have to figure it out.
do you have any suggestions for what other treatments could be used? the neuroplasty only made it worse.

i am so depressed about this damaging issue to my quality of life.
HELP...........
thank you for your support.

[Tuckamore]

Hi Bigdonkey,

If I understand you correctly you have mononeuropathy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN).

I am sure you know that this is a painful mononeuropathy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN), meralgia paresthetica that is commonly due to focal entrapment of this nerve as it passes through the inguinal ligament. Unfortunately the treatment is usually supportive... meaning they just treat the symptoms. The pain can be excruciating... as I am sure you know. My heart goes out to you.

No you should not be experiencing rebound pain following steroid therapy. The pain just returns once the medication has left your system. I do understand you concerns about the serious systemic side effects of a steroid. They can be very serious.

I also understand the wonderful relief from pain that this medications can bring. It makes me feel soo-oo much better....everywhere!!  Unfortunately the side effects are too risky to even consider taking Prednisone long term. It has been know to destroy bones and joints (among other things) which only will add to your pain.... and then you can never have the short term pain relief that is obtained from a burst of steroids.

Most physicians will not prescribe a steroid more then twice a year ... some physicians will not even order it that often. I know that nerve pain is very difficult to treat. It's a trial and error process. I hope you'll be able to find the right combination of meds that will control your pain .... better then it is now.

Please let us know how you are doing. I'll be very interested in your updates.

Take Care,
~Tuck