Back Pain: Stories - Thaddeus, 66

OVERVIEW / DISCOVERY
Living in Hawaii at the age of 21, Thaddeus attributes he back problems to a head on drunk driver traffic accident he was in after a day of surfing. He lived with chronic back pain for years and “managed” it by taken way too many pain pills, an addiction that took him in and out of rehab four times. Since 1999, he has had seven back surgeries with only his last, a lumbar fusion finally bringing him the relieve he had desperately sought for years. He is now free of pain medication and slowly getting back to work as marine electrician.
TREATMENT
Having had numerous microdiscectomies and laminectomies, Thaddeus sought out the help of new back surgeon. It was determined that only through lumbar fusion could he find a way out of his chronic back pain. Thaddeus admits that taking on lumbar fusion was a whole new experience in post-surgical pain.
SIDE EFFECTS
Thaddeus talks about how hard it was to deal with pain medication again due to his lumbar fusion surgery. This time his pain medication intake was monitored by his wife and daughter and he used a pain patch to help him through the first six weeks of intensive pain. As the pain lessoned so did his dependence on the pain pills. Per his doctor’s advice he took to walking as a way to not only build strength and stamina but also to keep his head clear.
SUPPORT & COMMUNICATION
Thaddeus talks about how much the support of his family has helped him prevail from years of pain medication addiction and chronic back pain. He is as happy as he has ever been and looking forward to getting back to his love of working on boats but realizes that he will no longer be the bending and twisting to get to the tough areas to repair engines.