Welcome to Spine Health. Who is actually going to be doing the injections? A couple things to consider there, is that it be done by someone experienced and qualified to give spinal injections and secondly ask whether or not it is going to be done with fluoroscopy.

I hate to break it to you, but only 3 weeks of conservative treatment is nothing when it comes to conservative treatment of a herniated disc. The hardest part of healing from something like that, is having patience.

As far as lifting, that's a very individual and injury specific reply that none of us can really give you here. Most times a doc will place lifting, bending and twisting restrictions on a patient as they heal and leave it up to rest and physical therapy to provide enough core strength to return to lifting. Don't let anyone convince you that you need to find a new job just yet.

Have you actually seen a spine specialist, or just your general practitioner? How is your pain level at the moment? There's a difference between the acute pain phase and then the chronic pain phase. Wait and see how you feel once you are completely clear of the acute pain phase. The injections should help with that.

Once again welcome to Spine Health.

"C"

Thanks for your response. I will ask the questions of the MD tomorrow about the flouroscope.
Up until now I have just seen my general practitioner.

I am hopeful the injections will help. I have seen much reduced pain in the last few weeks but I am still unable to function upright without burning, tingling, and cramp-like sensations. Bedrest on my side is the only true relief.

Good point about the job. Perhaps they can find some light-duty stuff for me to do instead.

I have had mild bouts of sciatic pain before...but I have always been able to stretch and get adjustments to help. This time it has been much more acute and persistent. The epi is this Friday.

Again, thanks!

Welcome to Spine-Health.

I have a diffuse disc bulge at L4-5 and had an ESI almost three weeks ago. My sciatic pain has only returned once since then, so there really is hope with injections. Of course when they do help, nobody knows how long it'll last, but I hope to see you post that they helped you.

Good luck and take care.
Cath

Thanks for the responses.

It has been one week since my injection and I have responded well. Able to function upright for more than a few minutes now! Hopefully I will be able to do my exercises and so forth more consistently. It has brought the discomfort down from an 8 or 9 to a more manageable 3-5 now.

Next appointment is tomorrow with the Doc to see if he is going to try another one....

are you able to function without pain? I took mine last saturday, it did feel a lot better but once I start sitting for a few mins the pain does seemt to come back although the magnitude may be slightly less.

are you able to function without pain? I took mine last saturday, it did feel a lot better but once I start sitting for a few mins the pain does seemt to come back although the magnitude may be slightly less.

My pain comes back with walking etc but not that bad. But I just sat in the car to go to the therapist and back and the sitting in car position gave me all the crying pain back, I cannot tell you how much it hurt. Glad to be back and on ice again. I just want to avoid surgery but I hope this thing resolves soon