Hi Carolnoel,

I was almost 70 years old when I was diagnosed with DD. It was progressing rapidly - multiple nodules formed, contracture across the palm from thumb to pinky, crawly feeling in my palm that was driving me nuts, lost of grip. I found this site and decided that I was going to be more aggressive in treatment than the aggressive DD.
I had NA done to release the cords/contracture, then 4 months later RT on my whole palm. I would have had RT sooner, but I could not work it into my personal schedule. Glad I had RT and would do it again. I did have RT done on 2 spots outside the radiated area, but RT stopped the progression in my palm. I do have cords that continue to gradually contract, but RT essentially doesn't work on cords, only nodules AND it is critical to have it done in the earliest possible stages. DD needs to be active when it is done to be effective.
I went to Scripps San Diego/La Jolla but I contacted and had a consultation in the Radiology Department at Loma Linda University Med Ctr. If I need RT again which looks like might be happening in my other palm, I plan to go to Loma Linda. They have not done RT for DD before had done RT on keloids. Dr. Katerelos was knowledgeable about DD, researched various studies before I went for my consultation, listened to my questions, asked questions about the symptoms I had in the other hand and how I knew it was active. He was interested in what I knew about DD from my experience as well as what I had learned from this website and Forum. He was not intimidated nor defensive, he was interested. I liked his openness.

My suggestion - don't wait. Get RT if you are a candidate.

I had the same thing - itchy, achy. That is typically a symptom of it being active. After RT, no more itchy, achy feelings in my hand. Active DD is a good thing if you are considering RT. The docs I talked with and other posts on this forum say DD needs to be active for RT to work. Both radiologists that I talked with wanted DD to be active or they won't do RT.

Carol,

I had that tingling, itching feeling and it also felt like something was crawling around inside my palm. It was a signto me that my DD was active. All those feelings and the pain went away with the RT.

Lori

I had a good visit with the ND. Am taking an enzyme, Serraflazimine, which has been shown to break up scar tissue, and will start with the DMSO/SSKI later in the week. The later has a success rate of about 10% so I am thinking wistfully!!! This still gives me time, later on in the summer, to pursue RT.

Thanks to all for your comments!!!!

I'm a 55 year old female and have had symptoms for 5-10 years. I inherited my DC/DD from my dad. He had surgery several years ago that wasn't particularly successful. I'm avoiding that if at all possible. I get 'itchy" palms and never connected it with active DC/DD until now. My hand also periodically gets stiff. Yesterday a strange thing happened. My index finger (previously unaffected) became quite painful. By the end of the day my whole hand was swollen, stiff, tingling in the tips of my fingers, skin was hot and tight, and very painful. The discomfort radiated up to my wrist. It's better this morning but still hurts and is stiff. I'm wondering if this is indicative of progression? I'm going to do the table top test and record the results, then observe. My first "scientific" test. Has anyone else experienced extreme pain and swelling prior to it getting worse? BTW...I have a single small nodule in my right foot and hope Ledderhose is not in my future. It has not progressed in 5 years, but is itchy today.