Any positive results from ESI?

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printer9

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My husband is in severe pain (sciatic) from the butt down the leg. He had a discectomy last year and did well until about 4 weeks ago. The neurosurgeon wants him to try the steriod injections before discussing additional surgery (which would be a fusion.) Problem is we must wait 3 weeks before we can get in to have the ESI and we still don't know if it will help. Thought it might encourage him if some of you have had positive results from this procedure. My thanks for your help/advice.
 
Hi Printer. Welcome to the board :). I think you and your husband will find a great group of people here who are supportive and knowledgeable.

ESI's normally provide the most relief to people who have both back pain and sciatic nerve pain (leg pain)...they don't normally provide relief to people who only have back pain...it sounRAB like your husband has both, back and leg pain, so I think the injections will really help calm his nerve pain down quite a bit, along with any back pain he has. I would highly recommend the injections. I wish you and your husband only the best!
 
Hi, these injections don't necessarily help everyone and there's no way to tell beforehand; but I can vouch that I've had pretty good success with them, at least to help any sciatic pains I get. I've also had good success with a selective nerve block at L5 (for severe sciatica/nurabness/pins&needles/pain down my left leg & foot). With the nerve block, they also inject steroiRAB into the epidural space, and it's usually more precise. I get pain relief right away, except a few times I was very sore at the injection sight for about 2 days, but that is normal. After several days I felt really good. At this point, though, after the shots, I can walk or stand around for longer than before the shots, but I still cant walk for too long, then I start feeling it, though not as intense. Some people end up having no more pain at all, others for a few months, or weeks, or days; others get no relief at all, so it cant be predicted. I have a hunch for myself that I'm going to be in more pain again soon as mine will be wearing off soon...and i've been getting alot of crampy pains in my upper thighs & buttocks/hips, plus alot of foot cramps. My spines also starting to feel stiffer. But for me, I was happy to get several weeks of pretty good relief.
 
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