Hi all,

As a long time DD patient I'm not really up-to-date on the early stages of the disease. I have three younger brothers and I've often wondered why I'm the only one with DD (there's no history of it at all in our family) since it's supposed to affect males much more frequently than females. The other day I got an email from one of my brother's telling me he'd been diagnosed with frozen shoulder so I guess he's not escaped. I was really sorry to hear that.

Today, my husband came to me and said, " is this lump in my palm what I think it is?" Unfortunately, as far as I could tell, it absolutely looks like DD. There's only one lump in one hand and it seems to have appeared quite rapidly. He does have a family history; his mother had DD but he's a little fuzzy on the onset dates and how extensive it was. So, what I'd like advice on is how soon should he consider RT? I believe I've read that some people develop nodules but that it never progresses beyond that stage. Is this correct? Is there any value in getting it diagnosed by a hand surgeon since he's at the stage where there's nothing to be done?

He's 67 and until 2 years ago didn't drink alcohol and I wonder if that's had any effect on his disease. Personally, althuogh I'm not inclined to stop drinking to prove it, I wonder if my own disease has progressed because I'm not drinking more alcohol. In the past I might have a glass or two of wine once or twice a week but since he started to drink, we sometimes drink a beer or split a bottle of wine 3-4 times a week. Is there any new research on alcohol and it's affect on DD?


Thanks so much for any info you can provide.

Diane

alcoholism and diabetes and also anti-seizure drugs are sited as triggers for DD also trauma to the hand. The only one I had was trauma to the hand. I do not drink at all and if I did I would stop because of that warning.
loonsong

Hi Juliew,

Hope things are going better for you. And you have found some answers to your questions.

loonsong