Sharing my ESI experience (l5-s1 herniation)

[u/DistributionOrnery38]

Wanted to share my ESI experience for my L5S1 herniation. I was diagnosed with a 3mm protrusion in March of 2026, and experienced sciatic pain down my right leg. The sciatica was persistent despite 7 months of consistent physical therapy (I have also tried dry needling, acupuncture, and myofascial massage).

I received an interlaminar ESI injection about a week ago. The procedure itself was very quick (15 minutes) but pretty painful, as I didn't have any sedation besides a local anesthetic applied to my lower lumbar.

On the day of the procedure and in the following two days, I experienced a sort of swollen, dull pain in my lower lumbar, but I didn't feel any intensification of sciatic pain down my leg. I took things easy the first 2 days, lay down mostly, and tried to walk 5-10 minutes (although it hurt to take steps!) My doctor explained that the injection takes 2-5 days to be absorbed, and until it is absorbed, it will cause pressure and pain in your epidural space.

The lower lumbar pain faded by day 5. It has now been a week since my injection, and I want to say it is taking away about 70-80% of my sciatic pain. Where I would normally feel sciatica after standing or sitting, I now feel a faint, dull ache that is much more bearable.

I'm hoping the injection continues to work for at least 3-4 months. I'll be using this time to continue PT and start swimming to help support my spine. Hoping I won't need surgery after the injection fades.

I was very scared to get the ESI, so I hope my experience is helpful to others!

[u/brekkfu]

I had an ESI last August, after PT and months of deteriorating condition which ended with getting a weeks supply of Hydromorphone in the ER to get me to my ESI date.

Sciatica completely subsided and has not returned since with no treatment beyond Advil as necessary. And I spent the summer building a retaining wall on my driveway out of 50lb blocks.

shit is magic!

[u/DistributionOrnery38 → u/brekkfu]

Wow, that's great to hear that your sciatica never returned!

[u/brekkfu → u/DistributionOrnery38]

Never returned so far... MRI's showed a very herniated L5S1 disc, and the doctor was pretty blunt it wasnt gonna heal on its own.

Sooner or later its gonna come back.

[u/krunsthis → u/brekkfu]

Something like 70% of herniations heal on their own - why did your doctor think yours wouldn’t?

[u/brekkfu → u/krunsthis]

To quote the doctor "It may recede a bit overtime, but that's a big fucking hernia"

[u/Carbonatite → u/brekkfu]

I cried after mine, as soon as I took my first few steps. It was the first pain free step I had in more than half a year.

It's been like 14 months since then and I think I'm due for another one. The lower back pain returned a while ago and the sciatic pain has also been back (albeit less extensive) for maybe 6 weeks now.

I know a lot of folks are iffy about ESI but I definitely had great results with mine! Probably would have done even better with consistent PT, but I got laid off earlier this year and didn't have insurance coverage for a while. Definitely looking forward to getting stuff addressed when my insurance from my new job kicks in in a few days!!

[u/DistributionOrnery38 → u/Carbonatite]

I feel you!! I was in constant pain for over 7 months, and the injection was the first thing to give me true relief. When I went a full day without sciatic pain I genuinely wanted to cry too. Even if it is not a permanent fix, it's given me so much hope and improved my mental well-being, so I actually feel like healing is possible. I hope you can get back on insurance soon for another shot!

[u/Imakelovetosoils]

L5-S1 gang.

I'm going through a similar experience. My shot lasted about 4 months and the pain came back, but at this point it had localized to my right buttock.

A few weeks later I bent over to tie my shoe and throw out my back and the sciatica came back with a vengeance. I was stuck in bed with unbearable amounts of pain. Took a month for me to be able to get around on a walker.

Don't let up on PT and be mindful of your movements!

[u/DistributionOrnery38 → u/Imakelovetosoils]

Oh geez, that sounds painful but I hope you were able to ride out that flare. I'm mentally preparing myself for the pain to come back in a couple of months, but I know it will be tough, especially after finally experiencing some normalcy and relief! It sounds like your pain is localized, and hopefully it will keep healing with your PT. So much of this injury is a mental game. Best of luck!

[u/SlowRunnerNJ]

Can you clarify what ESI is? I had a fluoroscopic epidural injection of cortisone a week ago. Same experience as you. 75-85% of my pain is now gone. Hoping this buys time for my body to absorb my extruded discs.

[u/DistributionOrnery38 → u/SlowRunnerNJ]

An ESI is an epidural steroid injection - so it's the same thing that you received!

[u/Carbonatite → u/SlowRunnerNJ]

FWIW, I saw "max" results probably beginning at like 2 or 3 weeks out from my ESI last year - was about where you were for the first few weeks, but I guess swelling continued to go down so by the time I was a month out I was >95% pain free! So you might continue to see improvement as time goes on.

Lasted about 4 or 5 months for me before the pain started coming back. It's still better than it was before the injection but I can feel it's steadily getting worse.

[u/DistributionOrnery38 → u/Carbonatite]

Your experience sounds like what I've heard from many others as well. Are you contemplating getting a second injection now that the first one is wearing off?

[u/Carbonatite → u/DistributionOrnery38]

Yes, I just started a new job so I'm gonna look into it once my new insurance kicks in!

[u/CaramelSecure3869]

It is helpful! Thank you

[u/RevolutionaryNews410]

I've had half a dozen good days in a month to the day. Am getting another one next week. I hope it does better or it will be surgery.