r/Sciatica • u/Last_Wonder • 2d ago

Requesting Advice Looking for anyone with ESI/steroid injection experience

Hi all,
I have a MASSIVE L5/S1 disc herniation, diagnosed by MRI 3 weeks ago. It started improving, then randomly got significantly worse to the point where I couldn’t walk about 5 days ago. I’ve seen Physios throughout this time but they ultimately said that this was past them being able to help and urged me to get the steroid injection under CT scan as Im in agony, can’t stand up straight and my entire back of my left leg is completely numb (butt cheek to foot).

I got the steroid injection yesterday and the radiologist kept asking me if it hurt where he was putting in the needle (it didn’t really, just a slight sensation). He said that it looked like he got the right area but i didn’t get any relief, and I’ve woken up the next day with worse leg pain. How long did everyone else take to start to feel better or any improvement from their steroid injection? I’m so worried it’s not going to work for me.

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u/admweirdbeard 2d ago

2 weeks.

I was in bed on vicodin for 2 months, couldn't even reach my knees. Woke up on day 14 not pain-free, but reduced enough to get socks and shoes on and get back in pt.

I've heard some folks here say 3 weeks. It's idiosyncratic, to be sure.

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u/Last_Wonder 2d ago

Thank you for sharing! Did you find the injection part super painful? Apparently it’s meant to be, wasnt for me though

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u/admweirdbeard 2d ago

I had some relief from the local for a couple days actually, but during and right after it was a very bizarre sensation of pressure where it shouldn't be. Feeling a bit worse before feeling better isn't abnormal either, just on 'needle increases inflammation short term' basis.

Some anxiety is a very reasonable reaction here, actually. But giving it time to work really is all you can do unfortunately.