Biff:

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Hi,
I wanted to insert the original message as a reference but don't know the method.

My left hand is showing early signs of DD and as a result of a search for more advanced cures, I came across this furum. What I can provide in respect to early stage symptons are only my own observations; perhaps they may be of use to you in some way.

I was an amateur pianist and about 6 years ago noticed that I sometimes missed notes when playing a span of nine or ten. This prompted me to make some more detailed observations of my right hand. Here is the sequence of events observed:-

Right Hand
1. For some time I had been getting extremely annoying itching to the palm of the hand.
2. I noticed a small 'v' shaped indentation in the centre of the palm (where the itch was) directly in line with the fourth finger.
3. I started to get tingling in the ring and little finger - as you do when you hit your elbow funny bone - but it lasted for weeks.
4. The tingling then became painful and the affected fingers felt numb and cold.
5. GP inspected the hand and advised that I must have a spur on my elbow that was irritating the nerves to the fingers.
6. The finger pain subsided somewhat.
7. The 'v' indentation deepened noticeably to over 2mm.
8. Large nodule developed in the palm affecting the ring and finger small - diagnosed with DD.
9. By then I could only reach an octave on the piano (8 notes).
10. The area on the back of my fingers started becoming painful and nodules formed in the area above the last joint.
11. The palm of the hand had become painful, arm muscles ached and the skin at the wrist pulled towards the fourth finger.
12. The ring finger is now noticeably constricted and to a much lesser extent the index and little fingers.
13. I no longer feel any pain.
14. Development period - appeoximately 6 years

Left hand
1. Itching palm of the hand.
2. Small 'v' indentation in the palm.
3. Module formed on back of little finger above last joint. (Before the palm nodules this time)
4. Painful tingling to ring and little finger.
5. Nodules developing rapidly on ring and little finger.
6. Development period - less than 6 months; a much more agressive onset than the right hand.

Other information
1. Current age - 63 yo.
2. Maternal grandfarther suffered severely in both hands.
3 Prussian (Germanic) descent.
4. Can no longer play piano - too limited mobility in both hands.
5. No intentions of having surgery.

My thanks to contributors to this forum; the amount of information available has assisted me greatly in my research. I intend to quickly investigate RT for the left hand if it's not too late.

Kind Regards
Biff