If he's still experiencing the pain, what's the point of getting off of the pain medication?
He said he had agreed with his doctor on the next step:
I have recently agreed with my physician about the next steps.
Perhaps there are more steps than just getting off the drugs. Perhaps he is addressing the back pain with surgery or some other means.
He may have to bite the bullet and get that surgery. I hope he succeeds getting off of the pain killers.