Sudden leg pain upper side of thigh

I think I’ve ruled out the aids, the gay, and cancer and don’t think I’m dying but for the past few months out of nowhere I get a shooting pain in the side of my left upper thigh. This is ridiculous pain that just comes on and stops me in my tracks for several minutes. It isn’t consistent and usually goes away after I lay down for awhile. I don’t know if it’s a muscle strain or some kind of pinched nerve all I know is it hurts like a mother fricker and is not fun.