Upon seeing my GP for a strange "bump" on my right hand, I was told that I had this wierd thing called Dupuytren's, of course, like most of you, I had never heard of this disease and couldn't fathom how I got it. She sent me to a hand doctor in Seattle (I live in central Washington). He took a quick look at my hand, confirmed my GP's diagnosis, told me that it is found in those of a certain geographic area, men in their 7th decade and in alcoholics, (this he said with accusing eyes), and is genetic. He told me that there was nothing that he could do for me until my fingers became contorted and then he could do a very painful surgery with no guarantee that the disease would not return. I left in tears. I am female, just turning 60 at the time of diagnosis, not an alcoholic, and neither of my parents had this disease. I returned to my GP telling her that I did not like that doctor so she sent me to another one in Yakima with pretty much the same results, again I left in tears. Thank God for the internet. I searched until I found Dr. Kline. We called immediately and set up an appointment for the NA. Since my initial visit I have been to see him two times for injections with results that appeared to diminish the nodules and chord. During this process a small "bump" has appeared on my left hand. My disease has been kept in check by Dr. Kline's treatments and I do not have any contracure so he has suggested radiation as my next line of defense. He told us that any facility that does oncology radiation can perform the same treatment as what they are doing in Boise. We contacted the folks at North Star Lodge in Yakima with my request for radiation to inhibit the advancement of my Dupuytren's disease...your what? was their response....and how do you spell that? Since my initial call to the facility Dr. Cleary has researched the protocal and consequently Dr. Cleary will perform the first of my five radiation treatments tomorrow. I guess my point of this writing is to let you know that there is a facility in Washington that will do the radiation therapy and also that it just may be up to us, the ones that suffer from this disease, to educate the doctors that can help us.

































Thy

Megan,

Thank-you so much for the info about Dr Klein. I will try calling on a Friday morning. I have called him and left messages and also have emailed, but no one has gotten back to me.Seems like a strange way to run an office.

I had NA done about 4 yrs ago by Dr Eaton, but since I live on the WA/ID border, it makes much more sense to go to Boise. I had almost decided to just have surgery this time, but reading about how long it can take to heal has made me change my mind again.

Thanks again,
Marilyn

If you hadn't already read, Dr. Kline is an ER Dr. practicing ~ 50 miles from Boise. He move his DC clinic to Boise about 1 1/2 years ago. I don't think the office is open or staffed (phone/receptionist) full time. He always has gotten back to me after a few days.

You definitely do not want the full surgery if it can at all be avoided. Not only is the rehab painful and nasty, but the residual scar tissue makes NA more difficult and further surgeries if needed yet worse.

I would also recommend not waiting too long. I did as I was avoiding surgery and didn't want to go all the way to France or Florida and the little finger joint itself became adversely affected and will not fully straighten after the NA.

Fritz

Hello Ttownguy,

When I saw Dr. Kline in November, he mentioned that there is a doctor in the North Seattle area who is doing radiation for Dupuytren's but I didn't get the doctor's name. When you do reach his office, you might be able to get that information.


Megan

Edited 03/15/09 04:58

I have also talked with Dr. Kline in Boise, however his practice seems a bit shady and unprofessional to me. He claims to have done over 3,000 NA procedures but refuses to send an email or put anything in writing to verify, and he will not send a copy of his risk disclosure document before doing the procedure. I don't want to put my health at risk with someone who is not totally honest and ethical. And why did he leave Oregon? There are many other good professionals out there.