I have suffered from chronic lower back pain and sciatica and was in constant pain for about 10 years. This is mostly why I had been depressed though I was diagnosed with depression during the break up of my marriage in 2000. After being treated for depression I thought I could go back to a normal life but alcoholism and pain problems got worse. I am now on a disability pension and sober 9 years. I had surgery on 11/25/10, ALIF Fusion at L5-S1 which has relieved me of a lot of the pain and most of the nerve problems. I am recovering well but still have social anxiety.

I was a drinker and smoker until 2002 when I joined AA. I gave up drinking, smoking and any non-prescription drugs after 25 years of suffering. This made a huge change in my life for which I am very pleased. I was unable to speak to anyone comfortably unless I had a good measure of alcohol in my system and a smoke in my hand. I have been able to change that and now I am happy to be recovering from the pain and sciatica I have suffered caused by Degenerative Disc Disease and stenos-is also. I hope the surgery will allow me to have some sort of normal life. I have enjoyed the time I spend in this place sharing my experiences and being given advice from other sufferers of physical and/or mental ailments in common with mine. Thanks for being here for me.

Allan