Last Thursday I got my 3rd ever ESI from my PM. It went smooth enough, I had some help around the house for the first couple of days, but it's day 5 and I'm still in pain from it. I usually see one of the PM FNPs and we'll message each other through the portal. I'd say we have a good relationship. If I've needed to take extra pills during a flare up, I've told her. She told me that if I email her, she knows that I'm in pain. I finally needed to shave and shower yesterday. I felt like filth. I noticed two bandaids on each side of my spine. I kept it brief and tried not to twist or bend. Usually my pain tolerance is high. When I emailed her after, she said that it would be sore for at least a week. The doctor said less but he doesn't see me often. I know ESIs aren't FDA approved and it's hit or miss if they work. However I wanted to show that I'm in enough pain to get another one and I'm kinda hopeful it will work. If my injection pain isn't over for a couple more days, do you think I would have lost any potential benefit of the cortisone? I'm missing workouts like Pilates and strength training that helps my back. Does anyone who has had these feel the benefit outweighs the risk at this point? I am 41, 5'10", 150 lbs, with degenerative disc disease, primarily in L4, L5, S1. I'm thinking of peptides and regenerative medicine as the next step, but first is getting over this pain.