How SCS Therapy helped to transform one life and save another

Chronic pain is defined as continuous and long-term pain lasting for more than 12 weeks.¹ There are 100 million people living with chronic pain in Europe.² Here’s the story of one of them: Adam Matulewicz from Dublin, Ireland.

Adam worked as a security officer at a large data center in Dublin, a job that required 25-35 kilometres of walking each day. One day he experienced such extreme leg pain that he was taken to the hospital. Doctors identified damage to the fascia that put pressure on the main nerve in his leg, and was diagnosed with chronic pain. “It was like getting stabbed in the leg,” Adam remembers. Chronic pain can have a significant impact on people’s quality of life³. Without relief, chronic pain can disrupt daily routines, with everyday tasks such as cooking, shopping and housework becoming difficult to undertake. Chronic pain can also cause tiredness, depression and anxiety⁴.

Adam experienced all of that in the time after the incident, during which he underwent surgery, lived on crutches for four years and took up to 26 pills per day to cope with his pain. He could barely leave the bed, nor could he play with his young son. It reached the point that he even considered having his legs amputated. In 2019 Adam decided to get a Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) and immediately felt the effect: “During the surgery, the doctors woke me up and I remember the moment to this day – in the moment when the doctor pressed the button to switch on the stimulator, I felt instant relief. That was one of the best days of my life.”

A new life – and a life saved

 “I was finally able to go on small walks again, able to go outside with my wife, able to play with my son,” Adam remembers. “That made a huge difference – not only for me, but for the whole family.” But more was to come. During the summertime, the family was relaxing near the water, when Adam spotted a lifeless body floating on the surface. Adam grabbed a floating mattress and swam to the person. It was a young girl, who was already unconscious. He brought her to the shore and started CPR until the ambulance arrived. In the morning Adam decided to call the children’s hospital and learned that the girl was well and was recovering. Adam is sure: “Without my stimulator, I would not have been able to do it. The device transformed my life – and helped me to save another.”

Remembering his own journey, Adam is sure: “I know what chronic pain feels like. It can be daunting, it can be dark at times. But my message is: never give up. Talk to doctors, pain specialists, look for new solutions. We only have one life – and it is worth fighting for.”

Watch Adam’s full story below. To learn more about chronic pain and hear the experience of other pain patients, visit the chronic pain and Now You Hear Me website.

The patient quotes in this material describe real personal experiences. Individual results may vary. Consult with your physician to determine if you are a candidate for this procedure and what you may gain from the therapy. CAUTION: The law restricts these devices to sale by or on the order of a physician. Indications, contraindications, warnings, and instructions for use can be found in the product labelling supplied with each device or at www.IFU-BSCI.com. Products shown for INFORMATION purposes only and may not be approved or for sale in certain countries. This material not intended for use in France. 2022 Copyright © Boston Scientific Corporation or its affiliates. All rights reserved.

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