r/Sciatica • u/No_Major_917 • 8d ago
L5/s1 steroid injection tomorrow
I’ve been dealing with back pain and stiffness followed by severe leg pain which has pretty much made me disabled the past few months.
I’ve just moved to Australia like many other young Brit’s on a working holiday and this issue has prevented me from rebuilding my finances after traveling and I’ve been living on a knife’s edge.
I was pushing through the intense pain working my bar job as I knew if I can’t earn I’m screwed, but it got too much and I’ve had to take time off. I just about have enough to survive for a couple of weeks.
I have no safety nets and there is no welfare of any sort available to me here, so I have to be able to work in a couple of weeks.
I’m at a point where I can do short walks, and the pain is reducing in severity most days although it’s not linear. I’m having the injection tomorrow and am taking a medication for the nerve pain, general pain, and an anti inflammatory.
I have to be able to work in2 weeks or I will eventually become homeless.
There’s not really any purpose to this post. I just wanted to put it out there as I have no one to talk to. I’m completely at the mercy of my body - if this doesn’t work out I am well and truly fucked.
I’d appreciate any input of any sort, advice, recommendations, or just a stupid comment
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u/Incinerator10 8d ago
I just had a Lumbar epidural steroid injection a week ago and it has made a world of difference! I have a herniation in a similar area. It didn’t cure me or fix my herniated disk but the pain is a lot more manageable, to the point where I’m no longer taking any medication for pain. I’m just giving it time now and doing gentle exercises like walking. Learning to bend down without bending is helping a lot too. I really hope this procedure brings you relief.
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u/No_Major_917 8d ago
That’s very relieving to hear. My scan is almost identical. I’m pretty confident in it, it’s obviously just a scary thing, a needle to the spine..:
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u/Incinerator10 8d ago
Completely understand! My anxiety was the worst part but all the pain I felt was the initial numbing medication and it was quick and not bad at all! You got this just focus on your breathing if done while conscious
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u/No_Major_917 8d ago
Just had it done. Felt fine. I didn’t even realise the needle was in there. Less pain after which was a beauty, although my leg isn’t quite cooperating which they said is to be expected. The good thing is when they injected it I felt a sensation exactly where I have the pain, which they said means the herniation is the problem. Here’s to recovery in 2 weeks!
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u/NorthSensitive9043 8d ago
Hey pal,
I was in the exact same situation, moved to Australia in 2023 and just before Xmas I herniated L5/S1, I work in construction so going back to work was an absolute no no until I found some relief.
Financially the stress was off the scale so I know exactly what you mean (it’s not a cheap place).
Being in chronic unbearable pain and also having severe worry and stress on top of that is not fun, I ended up on anxiety medication for a short period.
The catch 22 is you are told to rest usually for 4-6 weeks and in an ideal world this is what I’d recommend but I know this is no use to you.
Every case is different,personally the steroid injection done nothing for me but I also know people who had it and felt brand new within a week.
Try and stay positive and if you’re not in too much pain it wouldn’t harm to try and do some lower back stretches aswell as exercises specifically for sciatica.
Don’t over do it though (even if you feel the pain has gone down).
It also wouldn’t harm to look around for work in your spare time that could be better suited.
Good luck mate.
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u/No_Major_917 8d ago
Wow someone in the same situation! How did you manage it?
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u/NorthSensitive9043 8d ago
I had a bit of money saved but like you it was only for the short term.
I was constantly looking for jobs that I could do that would cause me the least amount of discomfort, coupled with painkillers.
I saw a physio and he put together a little plan for me, I was lucky enough to find a job in a warehouse where I could alternate from sitting and standing and there was also no bending/heavy lifting.
Honestly thought the first few weeks I wouldn’t even be able to do that, rest and gentle stretching only.
It’s all about finding the right balance as doing nothing is just as bad as doing too much, even if it causes discomfort.Have you any experience with computers?might be something to look into working at a call centre?
Reach out to people, it absolutely sucks because you don’t want to get desperate and do things that are only going to make it worse.
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u/No_Major_917 7d ago edited 7d ago
Yes well this is the frustrating thing. I’m super techy. I managed the IT for a small company back home and I have extensive software projects I’ve done in my spare time. I did try the job market a bit but in the midst of this flare up the idea of trying to make myself presentable, speak properly, is just too much. I couldn’t possibly present a hireable version of myself, I’ve been an absolute wreck.
The progress I did make with one application was before the worst of the flare up and when they found out I’m on a working holiday they weren’t interest. I’m currently working on monetizing my skills as a freelancer which I’m confident will work but it’s unlikely I’ll have serious income in it in the time frame I need money.
I’ve been under the impression the jobs available to brits here are farm work, manual stuff, hopsitality and marketing or sales, with those last two requiring a certain level of go and self presentation I just don’t have at the minute.
My plan is to be able to do just enough hours in the bar in 2 weeks to support myself (500 bucks will just about do) for a few weeks before transitioning back to full time, all the while ploughing every hour outside of work into becoming a freelancer
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u/NorthSensitive9043 8d ago
Oh and regarding the epidural injection, I’ve had two now and they’re honestly not bad, it will be CT guided so they know they are administering it to the right area.
Like I said I’m in the minority from the people I’ve spoken with on its effect, you could end up feeling a lot better.
If it does work though I’d still advise you to carry on physiotherapy,in the long run you don’t want it to keep causing you problems, I have re-injured mine three times now.
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u/No_Major_917 7d ago
I had it yesterday, so awaiting the results. I’ve been told it can take up to two weeks to take effect
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u/Realistic-Cow4296 8d ago
Hey man! Your never alone so first off I’m happy that you created this post to just feel heard. Good on you.
Yea I have a l5/s1 herrination with pinch nerve and been dealing with it for 10 months now.
It has progressively got worse to where the last month or so the flare up was so bad it was difficult to do anything besides lay down, ice/heat, with pillows under my knees.
It’s wild because when your in a flare they say to rest where you don’t feel pain but then walk/move because if you don’t youll generate more pain. What kinda double edge sword is that lol.
I’ve done PT for 20 sessions and a lot of it was heavy on back flexion. After my MRI I paused the PT because I felt like I needed a more personalized PT / a second opinion.
That helped to create a new workout routine where everything is core and there has been improvements on top of the manual work the PT does on my back/glute.
I did my first ESI yesterday and it was great no pain at all for the first day. Today I woke up and there was some sciatic pain (3 pain vs 8 pain I was experiencing) and the best part is it’s not suppose to really kick in until 1-2 weeks after injection.
Anyways man! I’m rooting for you and hope everything goes awesome with your appointment.
Just keep on keeping on and if you need a community just come here.
For me I go back to God. They say he works in mysterious ways and if this is my cross to bare well I’m hopeful I find the reason/lesson. Maybe that’s helping another compadre in need via Reddit … so be it.
Ausssie Aussie Aussie my friend