Hello,

Just diagnosed with DC today; I'm a lady in my early 30s living in the US.

I've been dealing with issues in my index and middle finger for two years though, starting with pain and swelling in my fingers and then palm, diagnosed as tendonitis, then trigger finger, and treated by multiple cortisone shots. Last fall, i started noticing a lump in my hand and was told by one dr that i had a cyst and to wait. then i switched insurance, so when the lump continued to grow, i went to see a new dr who said today that it was DC.

I'm trying to learn more. It seems that this is odd in people my age, and particularly women my age. (any lady's out there?) It is also not typically in the middle finger (no problems with my pinky or ring finger at all). No family history that I know of, but I'm researching. So far, no pain or aching, or even loss of movement or contraction, but the cortisone shots could still be helping with those symptoms. Just the lump/node on my palm

I've heard that when this onsets in younger years that it often progresses more quickly. Any experiences like that? I'm an artist, and hope to have kids in the next few years. I would like to do what i can to help keep this progressing as slowly as possible.

Thanks for the advice!

B

Thanks SB! That's a good idea to keep a journal/record of the progression - i imagine it helps with future Dr. visits immensely. I'll keep researching and learning more, too. Drs. like to give diagnoses, but they just don't have time to go into it all with you, really. :P

I have already been wearing a gel padded cycling glove on my affected, dominant right hand for a while - it was recommended when i was diagnosed with trigger finger. I use primarily for the gym and travel, but will start to make more use of them for other daily activities. I also switched my "mouse" hand a while ago. My job requires a lot of computer work and it's helped my right hand a lot.

I am a painter primarily - so there's some dexterity involved in using a brush. But I do many other kinds of 2D work, from drawing, to ink, to stitching, to collage/mixed media. I could wear a glove, but i don't know that it will impact it as it's not heavy lifting. I guess we'll see. I think piano would require a much stronger dexterity than the work i do, which is precise, but not quick. This doesn't seem to cause tremors, so that's good.

I guess this is one more thing that is going to help build my tolerance for ambiguity, and patience. I'm just hoping for the best right now.

Thanks again - you rock!

Humana, go to the hardware store and get some foam pipes -the one you cover your outside pipes so they don't freeze - cut them and wrap them around knife handles, etc. Works for me!

I use foam pipes for everything with a handle and cycling gloves for everything else. I had RT 2 years ago on both hands and - knock on wood - so far so good. I do have some new cords, but they are just there.

Christl

Glad that you found this site! I too was diagnosed early - and held stable with the lump in my palm only for about 10 years. Then cords grew and we were off to the races. I too have no involvement of pinky or ring finger, but deal with the middle and pointer fingers being my problems. I also have Garrod's pads in those fingers. I have had 5 NAs and 1 round of Xiaflex (which I didn't react well to).

Getting ready for another round of NA soon. I refer to these NAs as my 50,000 mile checkups - like a car, I think Dupuytren's is a maintenance issue for me - when I feel the contracture getting past 50 degrees, off I go for NA. Hopefully, I can continue doing this ad infinitum!

Hang in there - be glad that it's 2014, and there are many options available to you (Radiation, NA, Xiaflex).

Good Luck to you!

Moondancer - I generally go a little earlier than 50 degrees - but the middle finger on my right hand is my problem child - and the last time I had it done, it wasn't so easy. I guess I've been putting it off cause I know how much it's going to hurt this time!

I use Dr Pess in Eatontown NJ - my hero!