Hello, stllaborette.

When I had them I was offerred and accepted sedation the first time, but it made me too groggy to work the rest of the day, even from home. Thereafter, I had no sedation and, except for a twinge or two, which the anesthesiologist would announce in advance, I had no issues at all, and could then drive myself to the office. The procedure was however guided by flouroscopy (in effect, real-time x-ray) to insure that the needle hit its mark, and nothing else.

Do you recall whether your doctor used flouroscopy? (S/He would have been wearing a lead apron during the procedure.) For your protection you wouldn't want it any other way.

That said, others may have had the same experience you did, with all the safeguards in the world. I don't know.

Mike