Ryan Kesler’s life has become a nightmare!

This is a sad story and what’s even sadder if the fact that it’s Ryan Kesler’s life.

In a recent interview on TSN, several former NHL players discussed the issues regarding pain medications and Kesler went on to explain the nightmare that his life now is. In a recent TSN segment entitled “The Problem Of Pain” , Kesler of the Anaheim Ducks discussed the dangerous side effects of pain medications and what he has suffered since using the pain-killers to allow him to play longer in the NHL. 

Kesler said he would frequently take toradol, a drug not approved for long-term use in order to keep playing. The 36-year-old hasn’t suited up for a game since March 2019 because of chronic hip problem, but has been dealing with so much off the ice as well.  In 2015, Kesler said he developed colitis, a chronic disease that causes long-lasting inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract.

Experts say toradol shouldn’t be used for longer than five days.

“I never wanted to hurt the team, so I knew I had to play. To play, you have to take painkillers,” he said.

“I had holes in my colon and ulcers, and basically my whole intestines went into spasm. It’s very unpleasant. You’ve gotta go to the bathroom 30-40 times a day. And when you do go to the bathroom, it’s pure blood. It depletes you. It’s terrible. And it’s all because I wasn’t made aware of what this drug could potentially do to me,” he said.

His health issues didn’t stop there: in the fall 2019, Kesler was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel disease.

That’s why Kesler wanted to take part in the documentary: to share how there is no education about the overuse of medications such as toradol. The culture of pain is cemented in hockey and these former players are doing everything they can to break it. 

The NHL recently tweeted a promotional video in which we can see players blocking shots and limping off the ice, grimacing in pain and struggling to keep going. The message it gives is the following:

“The price is steep, it leaves its mark, but the sacrifice doesn’t go unnoticed and in the end, every bruise, every ache, every scar is worth it.”

The video was heavily criticized by former players, pundits and fans. We can understand why some fans and players have an issue with the way the NHL is selling the sports on social media. Hockey is way more than this. And the NHL needs to do more to educate its players and prospects.