Hello Karen. As I read tour post, I was amazed at how closely your experience matches mine. My name is Tim. I’m 64 years old. In March 2021, I had a right L5 hemilaminectomy to address pain and numbness in my right leg and buttocks. The Physician told me prior surgery, the chance of a good outcome ( no more pain) was 95%.
Upon waking from surgery, my butt and leg pain were worse than they were prior to surgery and in the days and weeks following, the pain got much worse. The physician said the pain was as a result of swelling and blood product around the nerve root and that it would get better.
After two months of agony, my family doctor gave me an oral steroid course and a script for gabapentin.
I feel like this surgery was the worst decision of my life. I was in pain before but I was able to manage it. Now not only to I have more pain, my L5 segment is compromised and I have constant anxiety that the bone may fail and put me in even worse condition.
Within the last few days, I’ve been feeling a bit better due to the meds. I still have pain when standing or walking but it goes away if I sit or lay down. However, I’m trying to get around more in an effort to my lifr back together.
I wanted to ask, how you are doing since your last post. Have you been able to get relief?
If you’re better, what changed for you?
My prayers are with you.

Tim