I forgot to say I had nausea after for a few days, similar to what happens to me after a general anesthesia. Probably not typical. I was told I spoke during the procedure but had no memory of it. My only memory was walking into the room where the procedure was done and waking up back in the area I was before the procedure. It was done at an outpatient surgical center. Hope this helps you. Three docs recommended the shot, and I think it helps some people even though it did not help me. My herniated disc was pretty bad too, but it eventually got better, thought it took about 3 months I think. Part of the time I could not stand or walk and had major pain mostly in my left calf, but it was from the nerve the disc was touching.