Many readers will recall that I have endured excruciating pain in my lower back combined with sciatic nerve pain down my leg for several years (that was especially bad when I drove). I had numerous MRIs and other tests and was told I needed to have surgery to remove the discs and fuse L1, L2, and L3 vertebrae together. I had similar surgery in my neck whereby they fused five vertebrae together C2-T1. It took 3 months to get over that and it was a very painful experience, especially because shortly after the operation I refused pain medication due to my fear of becoming addicted to it . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2022/09/the-big-ask/