Hi everyone,

Came across this site a couple of months ago after trying to find out more about DC.

My mother has had DC for around 7-8 years now and I noticed the first lump in my left hand around 12 months ago. Speaking to my GP about it at around the 6 month stage, he said there really wasn't much that could be done other than surgery when the contracture was in an advanced stage.

Being only 43 the thought of having hands in the condition of my mothers at the age of 50 was not good so I started investigating if there was any other possible treatments. That's when I found this site and read about RT.

I now have 3 nodules growing quickly, with the tightening of the skin very evident, so armed with RT information printed I saw my GP again and asked to be referred to Dr Chris Harper in Perth (contact information found on this site).

I saw Dr Harper last week and he has agreed to carry out RT, with treatment scheduled to start on Jan 10th in the usual 5 treatments with a six week break then another 5 treatments.

At least I feel I'm doing something positive rather than just waiting for the enevitable to happen!

Will let you know how the treatment goes.

Thanks for all the great information that I've come across on the site and forum.

Mark

Croc....

Good luck with your treatments... I believe doing RT at the early (nodules only) stages of the disease is a great decision.

I had RT in Nov. 09 for multiple nodules in my left hand and over a year later, the progression of the disease in the radiated area has stopped. The positive results are not immediate but the improvement continued months after the RT was completed.

Keep us posted of your progress.

croc:

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Hi everyone,

Came across this site a couple of months ago after trying to find out more about DC.

My mother has had DC for around 7-8 years now and I noticed the first lump in my left hand around 12 months ago. Speaking to my GP about it at around the 6 month stage, he said there really wasn't much that could be done other than surgery when the contracture was in an advanced stage.

Being only 43 the thought of having hands in the condition of my mothers at the age of 50 was not good so I started investigating if there was any other possible treatments. That's when I found this site and read about RT.

I now have 3 nodules growing quickly, with the tightening of the skin very evident, so armed with RT information printed I saw my GP again and asked to be referred to Dr Chris Harper in Perth (contact information found on this site).

I saw Dr Harper last week and he has agreed to carry out RT, with treatment scheduled to start on Jan 10th in the usual 5 treatments with a six week break then another 5 treatments.

At least I feel I'm doing something positive rather than just waiting for the enevitable to happen!

Will let you know how the treatment goes.

Thanks for all the great information that I've come across on the site and forum.

Mark

Australia Calling.I've been away for half a year or so travelling. Hi Croc . Have you read the on- line publication from Prof. Seegenschmiedt's book Radiotherapy for Non-Malignant Disorders- re the procedure for RT. I do not know what stage you are at. The RT is best in the early stages before contaction. In 07 after a repeat surgery I went to Germany and was treated by Prof. Seegenschmiedt on both hands and on both feet. My right hand only received the 5X3 Gy treatment which was very successfull. My left hand had the full 30 Gy.which stopped the progression although I did have contraction in my index finger . I never experienced any after effects,however the treatment was administered by an Orthovoltage machine and not an Accelerator.The rays are somewhat softer. I did discuss the time frame between treatment and in my case it was 3 months between treatment, which the prof. thought may have been beneficial to gauge if any new nodules had appeared , which allowed him to expand the treatment area.
I did make contact with Dr.Harper's Secretary and he is fully aware of the procedure used by the prof.and may have even purchased his book. I would be interested on the cost if you are treated as a public/ private patient and how much Medicare pays out. During the treatment I used a creme containing Urea, recommended by the Prof. ,which helps retain the moisture in the skin. Hope this helps.

Edited 12/21/10 11:44

David26:

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good to see you on the board again newman, I was wondering what happened to you. Traveling. Now that is the life.