Hi tinkerbelisalynn ~

yes, it is normal not to have sedation for a esi. Try not to worry about it. The esi doesn't take long to do at all. 123 and it is over. They will numb the area before doing the injection. :wink: I have been wide awake for all 11 I have had.


Imshirl
spine and beyond

It is really not so bad at all.
I have had many steroidal epidural injections, and several radiofrequency neurotomies done without sedation. I even had a discogram just recently done, also without sedation.
It truly is nothing to worry about. They inject a local, so you will feel a slight "pinch" when that injection is done. Then you feel practiaclly nothing. If anything, I would liken it to the mildest of dental work. You're aware they are doing something, but you don't really feel it. As imshirl said, it's over 1-2-3. The relief I have always gotten from the procedure makes this all well worthwhile.
Go for it, and don't worry!

I too have had plenty of esi's done in the back without being out of it it wasn't bad at all but I have had them done in the neck and that is when they do knock you out,if you are feeling real anxious, let the dr know or the nurse but I am sure you well be just fine because I have always been an anxious person and I did o.K., because he(the Dr.)talked me through it all of the way and as the poster said before, it was over in no time.
Good luck!
Lrt us know how it went.

I had it and I am in so much pain.
I don't know if it is normal to have your first injection aggitate the pain but it surely did... Horribly. I have sciatic pain like I have never had since my original injury!
Is this normal?

:( tinker, I am so sorry to hear that you are in more pain....I am getting my first ever esi on april 19 and they told me I would be sedated and that I would need somone to drive me home....I am now going to double check because the last thing I need is more pain than what i've been experiencing. If nothing else I wonder if I can take valium to "mellow" me out so I can relax while getting the injection... Did they suggest anything for potential after effects? Mine is going to be in the s1 area...Where was yours? I hope you can get some relief.

Tooter

Mine was at l4-5...
I went for a pedicure and couldn't even put both legs up due to the sciatic pain!! I can't bend over either which I was able to do just fine before the shot!

I had my one and only injection 2 weeks ago...The procedure it's self hurt like you know what! The first 48 hours where horrible I got a totall of about 2 hours of sleep and the rest I cried and barly could move. The only thing that help a very littl bit was ice packs!!! And of course take the pain medicine if they gave it to you!!! Since my injection I have had pain more often! I will never get it done again! They do say the first is teh worst. But I am not going back to see if that is true!!!
Also if you don't mind can you look in the mirror or have someone look and tell me if your injection site is on the side that your pain is on???

Because mine was done on the opposite side ....Which I have found out that this docter may have done mine on the wrong side all togeather!!! So that maybe why I have on going pain!!
Try to relax, take the medicine, if you have none call them, if nothing else try iprepropren, keep an ice pack on the area!!!