Went in today, and despite some confusion as to where I was actually having the injection (epidural steroid or nerve root steroid) the radiologist reviewed my previous MRI and decided to go with the nerve root injection with CT guidance (sorry if I’m unclear on the technical terms, but to be fair so was everyone else I spoke to at the clinic other than the radiologist, who seemed a calm and competent man).
The procedure itself was thankfully painless other than the initial local anaesthetic injection, and a small swell of leg pain as the anaesthetic/steroid was injected, I assume from the pressure on the nerve. The radiologist assured me that that was a good sign that they were at the right pain generator.
Pain reduced immediately sitting in the hospital bed, and on your advice I made sure to keep a pain diary over the next few hours while the anaesthetic was in effect and attempt a few common problem tasks like sitting on the sofa and riding in the car, all with much less discomfort. I still had some neurological symptoms such as pins and needles after rising, but so far so good.
Some of the frustrations of our public health system aside, it was nice to walk out of a timely procedure with no insurance and nothing to pay.
Still feeling considerably better now, 10 hours on, Lord willing the steroid will kick in quickly and make a big difference. Feeling optimistic!