I am an active (well, was active) 38 year old man. I have a herniated L4 L5. It has been going on for a few months but was getting better with rest, ice, light exercise, meds, etc. Regardless of my slight improvements (hindsight is 20/20) that i was making I decided to get the steroid epi shot because I wanted to be able to ski . From my research it appeared to not have much of a risk associated with it. No pain, in and out of the hospital. I read and read about it and it appeared to be a great way to get back on my feet quicker. I could NOT have been more wrong.

The physiatrist who did the injection used the xray and dye to get the mark right. Right when he started the injection I experienced the worst pain shooting down my sciatic nerve into my left leg for the 30 seconds or so it took to inject the steroid. waves of pins and needles and pain. Then immediately afterwards they shoo'd me out of the office, more concerned with getting to the next patient and keeping the schedule than the obvious pain I was in. From what I have read and heard noone has had this problem or said it would go away after a few days. I was told that the site of the injection would be sore. What I experienced was immediately worse sciatic pain. much much worse than before. This was a week ago. Since that day of the injection i have been prescribed stronger meds and painkillers and have called in sick twice because of the pain. I am now at the point where I have to curl up on my side just to alleive the pain.

I cant do anything around the house, cant clean, cant stand up in a shower, and am using ski poles to walk around with. Getting into my car and into work is a big problem. I cant imagine people going through this who have to stand up all day or move around at work.
I have almost completely lost faith in the medical community. It seems like even with MRIs and Xrays they are still shooting in the dark with this crippling injury. i called the physiatrist and he wants me to talk to a surgeon. it seems the immediate response is surgery and more drugs. I have looked into yoga therapy and taking this into my own hands. I do NOT want to go through this pain any more and if I have to do months of yoga therapy, ice, and rest then so be it.

Has anyone else experienced this and if so, what did you do? i havent seen anything about sciatic pain getting 100x worse after an epi shot. I have done yoga on and off for years and am thinking that may help the most. At least the injury is in my control. My advice to all: make absolutely sure you can't rehab your injury on your own before you get this shot.