Hi doctor, I am suffering from localized tenderness in scalp. I also have left thigh numbness. My doctor diagnosed it as mild meralgia paresthetica. He prescribed Pregabalin, but I did not take due to concern of dizziness and drowsiness. I always have a fear that antidepressant medicine can cause cancer in later stages of life. I have attached my medical history for your reference. Please help.
Hello. Thanks for giving such an elaborate information and history (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Poorly treated migraine or irregular treatment. 1. Nerve conduction study of bilateral lower limbs, including bilateral lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh. 2. MRI brain and MR angiogram intracranial vessels with contrast. 3. ANA (antinuclear antibody), ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen), Anti HCV (hepatitis C virus), CRP (C-reactive protein) and fundus examination to look for papilledema. 1. Migraine headache leading to chronic daily headache. 2. Giant-cell arteritis (temporal arteritis). 3. Insomnia due to chronic daily headache. Migraine headache. Get nerve conduction study as advised above. If it suggests meralgia paresthetica, then try Gabapentin in place of Pregabalin. Rule out other causes of scalp tenderness by MRI and blood tests. If the tests come out be normal, then start appropriate prophylactic medications for migraine. 1. Avoid trigger factors of migraine headache. 2. Do not wear tight belt at waist. Revert back with the test reports to a neurologist online.--->