Hi Fenceman
I wanted to welcome you to Hip Talk. I gave you your own topic so people can see your post easier. Sometimes the posts all get in a long line under one topic and are difficult to read.
I have had a few people ask me about Dr. Brooks, so I wanted to put your doctors name in your post.
Some people have very easy recoveries, some have very difficult long recoveries and the rest are in the middle. There is no way to predict your recovery and nothing else to do but to go with the flow. You body will control the recovery and you might as well decide to go along with the it patiently.
Hopefully, you will feel better and better every day. It just takes time.
Why don't you ask for something for sleep like ambient. I took Advil. Doctors will often let you take up to 4 at a time for bad pain. I have done that many times for my back. I take 4 advil, vicoden and a muscle relaxant - that really knocks you out yet still won't kill siatica pain.
Ask the doctor what else you can take to help with the pain and get something for sleep. Just call the office and ask. If they don't help, try your family doctor.
Being in pain makes things feel much worse and your recovery seem to go much slower.
I hope you will keep us updated with your recovery.
Pat in Marietta, OH