JHurst,

I also have BCBS PPO and paid about $250.00 for the entire treatment. I had an MRI which is considered "diagnostic" and had to pay for that out of pocket. Everything else was covered, except for my co-pays. In my office I work with health insurance, so if you need help understanding your EOB, let me know.

Lori

9/12/10 Hi All, I have a nodule on my right hand and am having RT - I am almost finished my second round of a five day treatment which was also given six weeks ago .So, five days treatment six weeks break, then five days more treatment . I have been told the most benefit will be seen after the second round is finished . Not much has happened up until now so I am hoping I will see progress in afew weeks.Does anyone have any comments . Annie

Just an update.. 12/17/10

I did get a breakdown of charges from Blue Cross, and so far after the initial consult and the first 5 radiation treatments along with the CT scan of my hand the portion I owe is $513. So it will likely increase another few hundred dollars after the second set of treatments.

As far as what if any difference I have noticed after the first round and a few weeks gone by-

The slight burning sensation after therapy lasted maybe a few days and is gone now. My hand still feels tight, so no real change there, but the pain seems diminished somewhat. Initially, for several days after the treatments, the pain had increased. The nodule and the surrounding affected areas were agitated by the therapy and were fighting back it seemed.

The real test for me is the ability to play the guitar. Playing fatigues the hand, and the Dupuytren's causes my hand to lock up and lose strength completely after a relatively short period. Just as operating a power tool (like holding a handheld gas blower) or driving a lawn tractor would do the same thing. I cannot say for certain, but I am more hopeful than I have been that there might be a slight improvement. In the last week or so I have been able to play and more or less forget about the issue. I have been struggling with trying to adapt my playing to the reduced hand strength.

I reported sympathy pains in my feet, other hand, and shoulders. The shoulder muscle pain has been continuously present going back to the beginning of this thread. The "frozen shoulder" matter is concerning me since it is unrelenting.

Okay, it has been about a week since I returned from Richmond's VCU (or MCV as it is known now). I received the additional 5 radiation treatments. Dr. Weiss and the staff in the radiation oncology department couldn't be better. Very very kind and considerate people.

At this point, I can't really say if the treatments have been beneficial or not. I am not supposed to play guitar for more than about an hour which for me isn't much more than a warmup. I find it very difficult if not impossible to avoid the instrument for so long. But I am trying to keep the stress on my right hand to a minimum by only lightly and almost effortlessly holding the pick.

Haven't really noticed any change in the nodule itself. I will try to report back in 5 or 6 weeks and hopefully there will be improvement overall, or even just not getting any worse would be a victory.

I should make it clear that I am not discouraged in the least. When I set about seeking treatment, my hand was "locking up" very quickly it seemed. Only ten minutes of playing or so. In this regard, I believe there has been some incremental improvement. I am better able to play now than then I would say. Probably a combination of adjusting to the malady by placing less stress on my right hand overall AND some improvement from the therapy itself.

I would do it again. Even though radiation does scare me, not being able to play scares me more.

Also, I spoke with my sister in law at VCU today. She is a nurse with at least 30 yrs experience in the Liver transplant area. She told me there is a drug that is being tested for Dupuytren's, though it has not been approved with the FDA. First I had heard of this, but it bears watching for those only now becoming aware of this issue. I know of no other information on it though. Further, a high level doctor applauded Dr. Weiss' work with RT treatment for this matter as well. Dr. Weiss is an exceptionally sweet and caring doctor. I feel lucky to have chosen (and been accepted for treatment) by her.