I just had a couple about a week ago, and they don't hurt at all. My Doctor is very, very gentle and I've never issue with him doing trigger points or ESI's.
I do not get Steroids in my injections because of an allergic reaction that I get even with a tiny bit of Steroids, so he uses another antinflamatory. I can tell you that when I started with my back issues I had 3 sessions of ESI's and they did not work at all, but the ones that I got last week are working, why? I don't know, all I know is that they work.

Take care and I hope that this info. helped,

I am not a fan of steroid injections. So many people do not get any relief from them at all. I never did either. I can tell you that if the first one does not work, do NOT let him do the next one because that one will NOT work either. They do NOT build up in the system like doctors like to tell their patients. Be vehement about it and refuse to let him do the second if the first doesn't work. Steroids are NOT good for the body anyway.

Also, the relief is just temporary -- you may get relief from a week to a year (which is highly unlikely). These are just bandaid fixes. They don't address the cause of the pain.

I wish you luck. I hope it works for you. God bless. Hugs, Lee

I had a series of 3 injections in my back I guess they were esi.they didn't help at all. I don't plan on doing them again. Have you tried any of the over the counter pain patches? I've used the thermo wraps,salon spa,and bio-freeze,and icyhot tape. They all help a little.

Jan, I'm not sure what you mean by they were esi. I have tried everything, biofreeze, thermacare wraps, ice, acupuncture, massage, over the counter everything. Currently on muscle relaxers lortab & anti-inflammatory prescription. Just not cutting it.

Really want a life back, down to trying anything.

I had a series of three with only valium to keep me calm. The injection doesn't hurt because they anesthesize the skin but for about 30 seconds you feel the pressure and that is very unpleasant. The first one didn't do anything for me, the second helped for a couple of months but the last one seemed to make things worse. We are trying to deside whether to try again. Seems he did the last one differently so I may have been the reason it was worse.

Good luck.

For me the injection "pressure" felt like bad labor pain, it didn't work and my Drs are pushing me to try another one. I don't think so no way no how and they don't offer any sedation...

Badmitton, my first one was like that too. That is why I am so scared to do another. I'm doing it for a couple of reasons...1 this dr. Gives sedation, 2 I have had a surgery to remove the herniation since the first one...so I'm hoping it works better

THEY HAVE NEVER HELPED ME AT ALL

Hi Bettme13
I am having an injection tomorrow and agree that they can be very painful. I had a dr go too close to the nerve and it was so painful that i passed out. BUT since then the drs know to give me liquid valium prior to the injections and life is tons better during the procedure. When in doubte always pick sedation :). good luck

I have had three nerve root blocks. The first was a little painful - not at the injection site but the meds going in. It helped for about 2 weeks. The second did not hurt as bad and helped only for a day or so. I tried a third and never again. The pain was worse than any baby I have delivered. My husband said I sounded like a wounded animal howling. I am still in pain and don't know what to do either. I am thinking on trying pain management. Good luck to you.

I had 3 injections in 2009 and for over a year it worked but that was then. I hate needles and it was pretty scary the first time but it was easy the 2nd and 3rd times. The first shot had me pain free for about 2-3 weeks and the second like 3-4 weeks and the 3rd lasted me over a year. But it is back again.

My pc dr. has me on prednisone cycle now. It seems to work pretty good so far and no needles.

I've been through three rounds and each one hurt more and did less. That doesn't mean it won't work for you though.

Oh lord, I'm scared to death LOL. I have one of these Wednesday,,,,,

It's not for pain, that's managed quite nicely with Cymbalta (I've had tremendous luck with it!), but rather to shrink the swelling in there,,,,I haven't felt my foot or the back of my leg since the 17th of December.

so he's not putting pain meds in it, just the cortisone.

and I am TERRIFIED LOL>

The injection themselves were much easier this time with the sedation. But it only worked for a week & then it was back to the same pain. And my PM Dr is only giving me lortab 5 now 1 at a time twice a day. Might as well be taking ibprofen, not doing much good at all. I was on lortab 10 twice a day before & it was just barely helping me through the day.

My next one is next Wed. Not as scared about the shot as I am that it won't last any long than the first. Very disappointing!