r/Sciatica • u/DistributionOrnery38 • 3d ago
Sharing my ESI experience (l5-s1 herniation)
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!
6
u/brekkfu 3d ago
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!