| NA + surgery ? |
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07/28/2009 17:50
callie 
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07/28/2009 17:50
callie
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Re: NA + surgery ?
Thank you,
I was just wondering. The nodules in my feet have definitely improved in the last few years in both pain and size. In my case I felt that the change in lifestyle was the difference. No more above normal stress. You are right, different reactions for different people.
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07/28/2009 18:50
flojo
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07/28/2009 18:50
flojo
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Re: NA + surgery ?
I chose to have RT about 18 months after I first noticed a nodule. It had progressed steadily with additional nodules in all quadrants of my palm and development of cords with minimal contracture. I had NA for cords then chose RT for what I deemed active Dups with itchy palm and noticeable progression of nodules. According to Dr. Triponeni, RT works more effectively on active Dups.
It is early, but after 3 weeks, I already see regression of nodules, less tightness in my hand, better grip, greater extension from pinkie to thumb and no more sensation of active Dups, i.e. itchiness.
My goal was to stop progression. In my case, I believe that time will tell if it stops the Dups because I had a history of steady progression for 18+ months from onset.
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07/28/2009 19:52
lori
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07/28/2009 19:52
lori
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Re: NA + surgery ?
Callie,
That is a good question and one I asked myself every day up until Dr. Crimaldi said "Are you ready?" I had to stand on a stool so they could get my hand flat and close enough to the machine. I remember resting my forehead against it and saying a quick prayer that I was making a good decision.
Mine progressed from a red sore area to a nodule in 3-4 months, developed a cord about 3-4 inches long while waiting to see the hand surgeon (1-2 months). Mine did not seem to fit the catagory of slow...Therefore I deduced contracture was probably in my future and since I had dimpling, incredible pain and tightness I felt I had a short window of time to make a decision.
My treatment goal is to slow the progression for as long as I can. I'll take any time that it gives me. Maybe it would never have contractured. Who knows? Given the speed it developed the odds did not look in my favor. I believe the 1st set of radiation has reduced the size of the nodule and shrunk or relaxed the cord to about 2 inches.
I don't have what Flora calls "itching" mine seems to flutter or feel more like a twitch and those feelings have been greatly reduced in number. I still have pain when I over use that hand.
Only time will tell if I made a good choice. I do not believe for me there was a right or wrong choice. As Margaret Thatcher said "Standing in the mddle of the road is very dangerous; you get knocked down by the traffic from both sides". I have always believed in making decisions because by not making one you are in effect having it made for you.
Lori
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07/29/2009 02:36
flojo
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07/29/2009 02:36
flojo
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Re: NA + surgery ?
Lori,
Well said. I believe it was time to have RT on my Dups. Every case, every hand if different. Who have to make a decision based on the best information you have at the time. It's not easy.
In February after absorbing information on this site, I came to the conclusion that I needed NA and/or RT. Then, I came to the conclusion that I needed both. Then, which should I have first was a question? I had NA first. I'm not certain that was best or even if it made a difference which one I had first. As I look at my hand now, the cords show up better since the nodules regressed some. So, would it have been better to have RT first? Maybe. However, without the dimpling and some contracture, the nodules were easier to see after NA. Since RT doesn't necessarily help reduce cords, but works best on active nodules, maybe RT was able to be better planned.
At this point, I'd say that I did need both and that it probably didn't make much difference in my case which I did first.
In my other hand, visible cords are developing and no significant nodules yet. Who knows!!!!!
It helped me to read about other people's experiences and decisions.
Dups is a disease that certainly reduces options as it progresses. I, too, am one who makes a decision based on the best information that I know at the time. For me, action sooner is better than later in lots of cases. I know I want to avoid surgery in any way I can.
Flora
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