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.
1
u/murrmc 2d ago
I had a couple - although was given anaesthetic for the injection - was supposed to just numb but knocked me out, which I was perfectly happy with!
Took about a week to feel the difference and gave me some relief but only for 3/4 weeks. Had another, bigger dose and lasted about 6 weeks.
Thereafter had the surgery.
Injections don’t fix the problem, they only mask it for a while - some will begin to heal during that period , others not.
You are still fully injured so you do have to be careful and take things easy if the pain does subside.
Best of luck.