29F, 4 months into 4mm bulge at L5-S1. I'm improving slowly (can do PT exercises, overall pain is slightly less intense, have had some good days out and about). I have an ESI scheduled in 3 weeks. I still have electrical pain in my leg, so it would be great if the ESI worked, but I'm terrified of the ESI aggravating things/making me worse...
How did your first ESI go? Considering trying one for my L5-S1 disc bulge, mostly to address the pain down my leg (I've had the sciatica for like 8 weeks now, and the overall injury about 3 months). I've been somewhat managing the situation without the ESI, so I'm worried about it setting me back. I've read concerning things on here about it being an excruciating procedure, not helping pain, causing adverse effects, etc... I was going to maybe give acupuncture a shot first too.
29 y/o F, 4mm disc bulge at L5-S1. Started with tolerable back pain/aches for two months, then it transformed to sciatica down my leg, with less back pain. Sciatica for 7 weeks now. NSAIDs aren't really helping. I've been on gabapentin 300mg at night for a week, also not helping yet. Considering ESI, but I've read mixed things. I've been to the spine doctor once, and they told me to do seated cat cow and prone press-ups to increase mobility. I go back for a one month follow up, but I've essentially had no progress this past month lol. I've been taking several 20 min walks throughout the day. I signed up for Core Balance Training, but it's all about the bridge pose, which is hard for me right now. Feel like I've lost so much strength dealing with this. Mentally struggling since I'm not seeing any improvement despite walking a lot, avoiding flexion, prolonged sitting, etc. for like 2 months now...