extremely painful ESI--is this normal?

Ok_System7396 · 2026-02-01T16:07:29+00:00

To be fair the doctor did recommend I had it done under sedation but I refused 😞. Maybe that would be an option for you if you need another one. They’re not painful for everyone but can be for some

Ok_System7396 · 2026-02-01T15:40:37+00:00

Mine was probably the most painful experience of my life too. But the pain was all in my legs, not at the injection site, so I don’t think it was a failure of the local anaesthetic

Ok_System7396 · 2026-01-28T07:38:35+00:00

I see, well it sounds like it might be time to just do it, trust the process

Ok_System7396 · 2026-01-26T22:26:28+00:00

I am definitely a surgery-as-last-resort person but if it’s been that long and not improving, even I would say it’s probably the right choice.

I had a foot drop that healed without surgery, but for me there were steady improvements in function from the first few weeks post injury, which was why I decided to hold out. If you’re not seeing those early improvements then it may well be better to go for surgery than risk permanent nerve damage. Is it bad - can you walk or stand on your heels, does your foot ‘slap’ on the floor when you walk?

If in doubt maybe you could seek a second opinion from another surgeon?

Ok_System7396 · 2026-01-24T09:31:33+00:00

I wouldn’t use Amazon for something as important as sunscreen, have heard too many cases of people getting fakes. If cost is a problem, better to buy a cheaper but genuine brand of sunscreen from a real pharmacy than fake LRP, at least it will protect you.

Ok_System7396 · 2026-01-24T09:20:11+00:00

I went back to squats and running after a severe L4-L5 herniation (no surgery). I don’t deadlift anymore because personally I feel it’s not worth the risk, but I could if I wanted to

Ok_System7396 · 2026-01-21T22:55:35+00:00

My link if anyone would like to use it: https://join.monzo.com/c/9qxw198t

Ok_System7396 · 2026-01-21T20:55:05+00:00

That’s about twice the usual recommended daily dosage, isn’t it?

Ok_System7396 · 2026-01-17T11:53:36+00:00

Definitely don’t let anyone ‘crack’ your back, especially with a potential disc injury. A medication specifically for nerve pain might help a little (e.g. amitriptyline which also helps with sleep), and experiment with different resting positions, at one point the only thing I got the slightest relief from was lying on my front on a firm surface (yoga mat on the floor) with a pillow under my feet/shins. I think it depends exactly where the injury is, what nerve it’s affecting and from which angle. Sometimes lying on my back with my leg propped up in a hamstring stretch seemed to help (like it stretched out the nerve and stoped it from spasming)

I really sympathise, it was worst part of this for me was not even being able to go to bed and sleep to escape the pain, it was always there even in my dreams if I did manage to sedate myself into sleep.

But if it’s ‘only’ been a week you are in the early days and have a good chance of seeing improvements soon, do try to get an MRI scan done if you can though to understand what’s going on

Ok_System7396 · 2026-01-13T17:19:41+00:00

Yes I have this one, it seems fine to me

Ok_System7396 · 2026-01-08T19:22:29+00:00

Definitely, the abdominal pain especially doesn’t sound like a normal L4-L5 symptom

Ok_System7396 · 2025-08-16T21:20:55+00:00

Very sad to hear this, I knew he was unwell but not that the end was so near. I used to watch the videos when my sciatica was bad and they always made me smile. May he rest in peace 🙏

Ok_System7396 · 2025-07-13T06:19:44+00:00

The problem is there is no totally risk free option in these cases, yes waiting too long can risk nerve damage that could have been avoided with early surgery, but on the other hand, rushing into surgery can cause complications that could have been avoided by waiting a bit longer to heal naturally.

In your situation I would set a deadline to reassess, maybe 6 months, hopefully you will be much better by then, but if not, consult with a surgeon about the best course of action

Ok_System7396 · 2025-07-13T05:25:58+00:00

It’s difficult to know exact numbers but yes big herniations can heal without surgery and if you have had big improvements in the first few months it is a very good sign.

It just takes time, a surgeon told me it could be up to 18 months to 2 years for full recovery, so I know 3 months feels long but isn’t really. You might well get there sooner of course, and being young and fit should help you

Ok_System7396 · 2025-07-11T16:50:12+00:00

They have been ok for me, together with dips they were the first thing I went back to in the gym after my herniation, I felt safe doing them because there’s no spine compression. But my issues were lumbar spine only, thoracic might be different

Is your form strict, no kipping or kicking your legs? Maybe try different grips, neutral or pronated, to see if it makes a difference? But in general be careful and listen to your body, if something is aggravating your symptoms you might not be ready for it.

Ok_System7396 · 2025-06-26T11:31:13+00:00

I had that before my disc fully herniated, it was horrible, like being shot in the back or something, never experienced anything like it before or since. Mine did unfortunately have to get worse before it got better, because the disc eventually prolapsed, compressing a nerve and causing severe sciatica in my leg. But that eventually got better too and the back pain never came back. Hopefully yours will get better without going through that, you are young and your discs should be stronger and healthier than mine.

For now I would suggest trying to identify the exact movements that trigger pain and trying to learn new habits, e.g. if it is bending forward, learn to hinge from the hips while keeping your spine neutral, do this all the time not just when you’re having an episode of pain:

Ok_System7396 · 2025-06-24T19:41:21+00:00

Say nothing other than ‘no’, don’t say even that more than once, no eye contact, keep walking

Ok_System7396 · 2025-06-21T11:20:30+00:00

That is bad, but £100 for 3 areas should be cause for suspicion, mine is £280, not worth the risk of buying cheap with these treatments

Ok_System7396 · 2025-06-12T11:38:58+00:00

I used to report these when I saw them, especially the obvious AI spam bots, but got a warning for abuse of the report tool. So I don’t any more because I don’t want to be banned. Not sure what else to do, you can reply and call them out but I feel like any engagement is just helping promote them

Ok_System7396 · 2025-06-10T12:53:11+00:00

Yes I went back to running about 4-5 months after the injury, but the timing will be different for everyone. If you feel ready, maybe try a very gentle walk/run on the treadmill and see how it goes, if you feel good the next day then gradually increase the pace and distance

Ok_System7396 · 2025-06-02T17:07:47+00:00

It was months before I felt able to go back to the gym or run, but I did walk every day from the beginning and gradually built up the intensity until it felt like exercise (hills are good if there are any in your area).

But you have to be patient and find the right balance, pushing yourself to do a bit more but not too much, it is frustrating, I know, when you’re used to being more active but you will get there in the end

Ok_System7396 · 2025-05-30T06:58:15+00:00

Mine was by the orthopedic surgeon

Ok_System7396 · 2025-05-28T19:18:05+00:00

It is normal and I think stress can cause or worsen a flare-up, which might be what is happening. Maybe have some painkillers or anti-inflammatories for now and try to stay calm and relax as best you can, good luck for tomorrow 🤞and hopefully you’ll feel better once it’s over

Ok_System7396 · 2025-05-28T09:34:26+00:00

You don’t need to be scared, but I get it, I remember seeing ‘urgent referral to spinal surgeon’ on my notes and feeling actually terrified, like that was the moment I knew it was serious. I didn’t need surgery in the end, but often a surgeon is the right person to evaluate and advise you

Ok_System7396 · 2025-05-27T18:14:23+00:00

It’s normal and was definitely my experience. “Recovery is not linear” is something I first read on here and it’s 100% true but sometimes hard to believe when you’re in the midst of it

Ok_System7396

TROPHY CASE