Hello ikcooley,
Sorry you're going through this. It is a tough time but I hope this will help you....
My husband had 2 laminectomies, L3-4 & 4-5, & a discectomy last Feb. His pain postop was unbearable too - sciatica both legs, shooting pains & weakness in left leg (which he didnt have preop)- fell 3 times from weak knee. At first, he was taking a total of 2400mg of Gabapentin daily, and alternating every 2 hrs: Tylenol 1000, Ibuprofen 400. And he used oxycodone about 6 times in the early weeks. Sciatica was gone when he started PT 6 weeks postop using a walker, then a cane, meds were decreasing also. After 8 weeks of PT, he was stronger & walking unaided. As is necessary, he continues to do his exercises, which helps any odd residual discomforts, such as tightness in leg, a needle pain or ache here & there, and maintaining muscle strength & coordination. Remember, nerves can take many months to heal. He was feeling much better after about 4 months. It is almost 1 year now. At 78 yo, he is weaning off of Gabapentin, 500mg total daily now, and he is back to snowblowing, and other household chores. Take heart, it can seem so slow. Charting your progress can help you SEE it & help you stay positive.