I just found out yesterday that Dr. Jerry Huang in Seattle does NA procedures & has done them since he's been at his current location (he's on this site, but I wasn't looking as I am happy with Dr. Kline in Boise). I live in SE Washington & it would be easier to go to Seattle for future NA procedures--and he's in network for my insurance!

However, Monday I have my NA scheduled with Dr. Kline & am then driving to Yakima for my first dose of RT. My local radiation oncologists won't do RT so I have to drive to Yakima. They have treated one other patient & the Dr. in charge of my case has very early DD.

Question to others out there...
Have you been to Dr. Huang? Can you give me some info? I'm 46, so I'm sure I'll be needing NA a few more times over my lifetime (this will be my 3rd NA procedure on one hand). Thanks.

Eric

I'm hoping the RT stops the progression on my left hand, as it is showing 3 nodules on the palm. However, my left pinky has started to contract & has 2 nodules of its own. My NA doctor thinks RT will definitely help this hand. My right hand ring finger is severely contracted & has a large nodule on its lowest section along with a large nodule in the palm--no other fingers are affected, though. I'm doing RT on both hands & hope to delay the return of contractures.

My RT doctor wants the radiation as soon after NA as possible. The NA doctor suggests getting RT within 72 hours. However, I'm having NA in Boise then driving straight to Yakima, WA (about 5.5 hour drive) for RT later that day. Should be a long day...

I suppose my biggest issue will be in lifestyle. I am a weight training teacher/coach & own a gym where we do olympic lifting, gymnastics & other activities that rely a lot on my hands. Not sure how I'll approach this as time goes on. At minimum I'll be wearing gloves with gel pads inserted on the palms. A lot of lifting is actually done on the finger tips, so I'm not sure if that will tramautize the palms & encourage DD to grow.

Went to Dr. Kline in Boise & as usual, he was fantastic. We talked at length about his experiences with DD & current reseach across the US.

NA treatment--2 hands treated. Right hand had bad contracture (previous surgery & 2 NA treatments by Dr. Kline. Large corde between MIP & PIP joint along with plenty of scar tissue. Dr. had a hard time finding the cords through the mess. He was unable to get my finger loose & was very disappointed--said I was his first patient unable to free. He was concerned with pushing the needle too deep & causing serious problems, & I was ok with his decision. That's the bad news.

Left hand small contracture & 2 nodules on pinky. 3 nodules on palm. Contracture treated in 5-7 minutes with steroid injections in all nodules. Pinky totally popped loose!! Got in my car & drove from Boise to Yakima, WA (about 6 hours) & had RT with Dr. Cleary at North Star Lodge. He is also a great guy is very interested in helping me deal with this. RT on left hand only at advice of Dr. Kline & Dr. Cleary agreed. Piece of cake & 4 more treatments this week.

Dr. Kline's suggestion for my "bad" finger. See Dr. Denkler in Bay Area for "regional fasciectomy" (I think that's the correct term) just to deal with the nodule & large cord in my finger. Dr. Kline is not a surgeon & won't do this type of procedure. Dr. Kline highly recommends Dr. Denkler, as he did NA for Dr. Kline. Right after this surgery have RT on this hand.

So, that's where I stand now. I'll keep posted on my RT results.

Coach:

Have you had any discussion about xiaflex for the problem finger?