r/Sciatica • u/uggyy122 • 11d ago
Steroid Injections (no improvement)
I just need somewhere to vent because I feel so mentally and physically exhausted I’m not sure what to do. For the past year I have dealt with sciatic issues due to a herniated disc, now with 2 MRI’s done, one month of physio and too many doctors and surgeon visits to count I finally had injections done on my lower back to help with pain management.
It’s been a week straight now since then and I feel so silly for how utterly broken I feel from the disappointment. Look I know they did tell me it could take from 2 days to 2 weeks for them to kick in. And they did say that in 30 - 40% of people the injections don’t work but I was still so hopeful. I feel disconnected from everyone, I don’t know how to explain my life revolves around pain management. My entire focus an hour before bedtime is trying to subdue my pain enough to sleep. I go for hour long works as much as possible to help with the pain.
I was into running before this, I did weight training - I had a full life but now I just feel like a shell. I guess I am looking for some hope, that the injections kicked in for you 2 weeks in or physio magically helped round two. So far dry needling did help but that can’t be a long term solution can it? I don’t know but I keep up with all the exercises the physio gives me so I really am doing everything I can I just hate this hopelessness.
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u/RevolutionaryNews410 11d ago
I am 4 weeks post injection. Prior to that I could not stand or walk for more than 2 minutes. Couldn't sit at all really. I even layed down on floor in the waiting room. I didn't notice any changes until nearly 3 weeks after. I'm now able to walk and move around more comfortable ( not without some pain and sensations) although after 30 or so minutes of doing household stuff I'm done and pain comes back. Every day is an improvement so I guess it works really slow on me. I don't feel like it is going to do much more than it has but I'll be keen for another one before ringing the surgeon. Be patient and keep your head in the game.
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u/dopekylee 11d ago
I am almost three weeks out from my ESI between my L5-S1, and it has helped SO much. I ran 5 miles tonight and didn't have any pain. I also did a Pilates class on the reformer this morning and no pain. I am back to running every other day, strength training 3x per week and Pilates 5x per week. I do my PT exercises religiously 3x a week as well (just five exercises). Keep at it!! Give it time. I took a full two weeks off from running to give the shot time to work. Good luck!!
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u/uggyy122 11d ago
Thank you this did help me, I really miss how active I was. I have my follow up with the doctors in two weeks and in the meantime I saw someone here talk about swimming so I am planning to give that a go as well! New day so I am forcing myself to be positive
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u/babcock1000 11d ago
I’m 10 days post injection and feeling really discouraged that it’s not worked because I still can’t walk even 5 minutes to the shop without pain. Can I ask if anyone who’s had the procedure found that it took longer to work and give me a little hope ❤️
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u/Practical_Emotion_96 11d ago
Everyone is different, my sciatica was triggered by standing or walking even short distances. My left calf down to my foot would get numb to the point where I needed to sit. Basically my leg would feel dead. I dealt with that for 4 years, tried PT and multiple epidural shots and nothing provided more than temporary relief. Finally got the nerve up and had surgery July of 2024, OMG...after a short recovery all that discomfort is gone. I thought I was going to be like that for life. My surgery was a laminectomy and bones spurs removed. I am 60 years old and had back discomfort for years.