My last visit to Hamburg was in mid 2014. My left hand had the normal 2 series treatment of the whole hand as there were a few nodules forming in the palm at the base of my pinky.
Professor Seegenshmidt was in charge of treatment and his approach as ever could not be faulted. In 2016 nodules appeared on base of my 2nd finger. I emailed the professor who indicated that a third round might be necessary but I decided to see how it developed, no sign of contraction, in fact it seemed to settle for a few months. Early 2017 whilst recovering from hernia operation I started having a lot of itching in the hand but not so much under the nodules already present. I looked at the hand on several occasions but could not see or feel anything. Then one day it seemed quite painful and there was a pronounced sore nodule at the base of my third finger.
I did not want this to go the way of the other hand where this finger is badly bent. No reply from the professor so I emailed the clinic, no reply immediately. After several attempts not helped by the fact I have no German I managed to arrange an appointment duly confirmed by email. A few days later I get a reply from another department to say the professor had left due to illnesses but they did not do a third round for treatment. I had already booked flights apartment and appointment.
I emailed to try and clarify but got no further responce so I decided to go anyway, at least I would enjoy the Christmas markets.
My flight was with Ryanair to HAM from Manchester, about 60gbp return. I had rebooked the previous apartment a short walk from S Rubenkamp.
You can get the s bahn to most areas from the airport and a full 7 day ticket for around 27eur sorts transport for the week.
Arriving Sunday 3rd Dec appointment at 12:30 the next day. I took the S bahn to Ohlsdorf change U bahn Norderstedt mitte alight Langenhorn markt. You'll find a stop nearby for the 292 bus to Ochenzoll, make sure its not 292 Lattenkamp, wrong direction. Service every 20 mins. Alight Foothkamp, its easier to cross at the lights unless your very sprightly and then back up the road 200 yards you'll see the clinic.
There is usually someone with good English at the desk so I was directed to wait and fill in a form, it was only 11:00am and I offered to come back later if necessary but indicated to stay. Went back to desk with completed form and reception asked me to wait while she spoke to the doctor. I asked who this doctor would be and told a Miss Alanski.
She showed her the form and Miss Alanski the came over to greet me and usher me into the consultation room. She pulled up my previous record on PC and examined my hand, she said that they did not normally do a third round but would check the area of previous exposure, when it turned out to be the whole hand she decided to check with her boss about a third round. It was helpful that I'd already produced copies of emails from the professor which discussed further treatment. She returned from her discussion to say that they would treat the newly affected area not the whole hand which seemed sensible.
Miss Alanski spoke good English, was personable, thorough and professional.
She then informed me to return to the clinic in an hour to give her some time to arrange dosage with the radiography dept.
I enjoyed a nice burger and salad lunch with Duckstein in the cafe opposite returning at 13:00 hrs. I didn't wait long before being called downstairs for treatment which only takes a minute and is painless. Further appointments through the week any time before 3pm so very relaxed regime.
I was asked to pay for my treatment on Thursday and its worth noting that card payment is accepted. On Friday I was presented with a record of the treatment by Dr Antje Sheffier, I don't know if he has a particular interest in Dupuytrens, seemed more of an overall radiotherapy lead.
The trains and buses in Hamburg are a joy to travel.
If the weather is poor as on this occasion, take the 292 bus from the clinic to Ochenzoll, a few shops and a buffet type Asian restaurant, nice food price reasonable.
Or from Ochenzoll U bahn next stop Garstd, a large shopping centre with places to eat above the station. On to Norderstedtmitte if its dry for a walk round the village. Can you spot a GPO red phone box here?
Close to Garstedt is the Arriba pool, the largest indoor and outdoor swimming pool complex I know with 12 pools, Olympic pool, beach with waves, sauna, diving salty. If you like the water you'll love this. To get to the pool alight U bahn Garstedt at the top of the stairs on ground floor exit through the glass doors and wait for the 178 bus to S Poppenbuttel. The pool is only two or three stops out of Garstedt, I have actually walked it on a fine day. At the pool you will be asked how long you are staying and pay according.
There is a reasonably priced meal of the day at the pools.

Thank for sharing your great report. Just to clarify, you had a further 15Gy within the previously irradiated field but specific to the symptomatic area? It would be great to hear how your hand fares in the future, for DD and other possible side effects such as dry skin.

Thanks for sharing. I my experience it may take another week for the skin to show redness or to peel, if at all, based on the typical renewal cycle for the skin. But I only had significant peeling after the first series on the right hand.

Stef

[55, Dupuytren diagnosis 2006, RH contracture and PNF/NA 2014, radiotherapy RH 2015, LH 2017, night splint glove]