"After two failed spine surgeries, three years on opiates,one year of essentially, a shut-in, I was given a second life!", Mark, Charité L4-S1, September 2002

Caring for a loved one in pain;  the spouse of a chronic pain patient. Diane Mintzer spoke at the GPN seminar in New York. Braintalk forum post

Ken L2-S1 Reconstruction 3 ProDiscs + Fusion January 2007

Danny S L4-S1 Charité November 2003 Surgery Website

Mirissa RSD at age 11. Amazing recovery! updated 10/01/07

Travel Clients - Mark was Patient Advocate for Surgery trip
Diane Endoscopic Discectomy July 2007	Alicia Activ-L December 2006	Alan K Activ-L + fusion December 2006	Ginger L ProDisc-C March 2006	Sam P Activ-L March 2006 updated 06/08
Anne C ProDisc January 2006	Kim RS ProDisc-C January 2006	Steve M ProDisc December 2005	Dale S ProDisc October 2005	Jack ProDisc-C (2) June 2006
Ken L2-S1 Reconstruction 3 ProDiscs + Fusion January 2007	Eliza ProDisc-L May 2007
Other GPN Clients
Lorna Too many surgeries to list	Jack H Cervical ADR May 2006	Bradley L ProDisc-C November 2005	Joe K ProDisc-C November 2005	Melody B Charité April 2005
Melanie D ProDisc September 2004	Michele H ProDisc (3) July 2005

Cindy W., IT manager from NC.

Successful ADR, but I was still completely disabled.

The first time I met Mark was on September 19, 2002.  We were in the waiting room at the Alpha Klinik and we both had surgery scheduled for the next day.  After we chatted for a while, I realized that I was speaking to someone who had written a great deal on the internet about his research into ADR.  I said, "Oh my gosh, you are RumorSlayer!  I used to look for you online.  I'd call my husband over.  Ed, Ed, he's here again!!!  Come read this!" 

I was in Munich for surgery because I had disabling back pain, hip pain and foot pain.  I was very relieved after my discogram because it so clearly reproduced all my pain.  That made me an excellent candidate and gave me every reason to be hopeful.

My first week post-op was incredible.  I felt sorry for Mark because he was having such a tough post-op experience, while I was walking many miles a day and sightseeing around Munich just 5 or 6 days after my surgery.  I knew just a few days after my surgery that my back pain and my foot pain were GONE!

Fast forward about a year and Mark's in great shape, but I was still functionally disabled.  Although my disc replacement solved my back and foot pain, my disabling hip pain still had me unable to function.  I was still on large doses of OxyContin.  I'd been to doctor after doctor, but none of them had any good ideas.  I had been referred to pain management.  I was ready to give up.

One day Mark called me up and told me about someone he met on the Internet forum he'd started for people who want to discuss non-fusion technologies.  He told me that I there was a man he'd spoken with, who described disabling hip pain EXACTLY like I described mine.  I took Mark's advice and called Brian.  Brian had a similar story, but had found his way a Dr. in Cleveland who specialized in Piriformis syndrome. I called the Dr. but he warned me that Piriformis syndrome is very rare and that I shouldn't get my hopes up. 

Fast forward another 6 or 7 months!  It turned out that I had profound PS.  Out of 80 cases this doctor had seen, he said that my case was certainly one of the worst.  I had the piriformis release surgery in October of 2003 and by mid-2004, I was riding my mountain bike with my husband, camping, hiking, working full time, back to a rewarding workout regimen (I was an athlete before my disability).  I can't believe it, I'm living a NORMAL LIFE!  I was ready to give up.  I don't know where I'd be now if it wasn't for Mark and his Patient Network.  I suppose that I'd still be in pain management, on large doses of opiates and completely disabled.  Instead, I have a new lease on life and can live every day to the fullest.  With the perspective that you gain from being reborn after such a painful disability, life is even better than it was before I could truly appreciate what it means to enjoy a day without pain!

Thanks Mark!

Tom C., Television Producer from Southern California

"My 2-level, 360 fusion was scheduled... until I called Mark."

Thanks to information I received from his contacts, I was able to cancel this surgery.  Not only would the multi-level fusion caused a lot of collateral damage, but it would not have solved my problem, and could have made things worse!  He connected me with other patients who experienced similar problems.  They pointed me towards the surgeon who knew how to address my issues.  I've now had ZERO BACK SURGERIES, and my disabling pain is gone!