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Xiaflex Injection today - less than 4 hours ago. Not bad so far!
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12/23/2015 01:03
kiera99 
12/23/2015 01:03
kiera99 
Xiaflex Injection today - less than 4 hours ago. Not bad so far!

I am so far pleasantly surprised... though I know it's early going.

Lidocaine before Xiaflex was something I had to ask for. I do not care that the Xiaflex people suggest injecting without it. One RIDICULOUSLY PAINFUL injection of anesthetic made the second one not bad and made all the Xiaflex just uncomfortable. I could still feel the Xiaflex injections and there were multiple. I'll take 2 anesthesia shots that hurt like #*$* over multiple Xiaflex straight up any day.

The anesthetic has mostly worn off. I am typing with my bandaged hand. It hurts. It's not terribly painful. It's swollen. As I said: Surprise. After reading some of the horror stories on this board, I was expecting the worst. And I'm grateful for that. I went in with my eyes wide open and got better than I was expecting. Of course it's not over. The REALLY fun part lies ahead.

I am late 40's and female. Obviously I hit the genetic lottery to be doing this so young. I've had it since my late 30's, though only in the last year has a lesion exploded on my right hand ring finger and contracted it to the point it's interfering with things like typing and fitting my hand over a mouse, or in a glove. I do have a lump on my left hand too, but it's as small as the one on the right was 10 years ago.

Will update with the rest of the experience. (Excuse any typos...I'm bandaged and swollen but happy.)

12/23/2015 06:11
econn 
12/23/2015 06:11
econn 
Re: Xiaflex Injection today - less than 4 hours ago. Not bad so far!

I had Xfx in my left hand July 2014 and am quite pleased with the results. As I understand it, docs prefer not to anesthetize your hand for the injection because pain is an indicator that they've injected into a tendon, which I guess REALLY hurts and can damage the tendon! I likened the injection pain to several strong bee stings, it hurt but was bearable. I have nodules developing in my rt hand and will do the same procedure if it progresses into DC.

12/23/2015 07:28
spanishbuddha 

Administrator

12/23/2015 07:28
spanishbuddha 

Administrator

Re: Xiaflex Injection today - less than 4 hours ago. Not bad so far!

Thanks for sharing kiera. Come back and tell us how the manipulation goes, and then come back in a few weeks to tell us how it is. Best wishes.

12/23/2015 20:50
Cherise 
12/23/2015 20:50
Cherise 

Re: Xiaflex Injection today - less than 4 hours ago. Not bad so far!

That's great. You have a great attitude. I had Xiaflex , best decision I ever made except had the frozen spray before injections didn't feel a thing. Also cortisone injections to shrink the nodes in the palm from Xiaflex. Worked well. Then had a lot of swelling for two weeks. It was worth it to have my fingers open & the least invasive method. Last February I had it done. It takes a few months to gain strength in the finger/ s.
Always wear a brace or splint on ur hand every when u sleep. I find the Fixxglove is the most comfortable .

Good luck
Kind Regards,
Cherise

12/24/2015 22:32
kiera99 
12/24/2015 22:32
kiera99 
Re: Xiaflex Injection today - less than 4 hours ago. Not bad so far!

My hand did swell more the night of the injection. It turned purple, with blood blisters at the injection sites, but looked bruised other places. The pain was never really pain. I'd forget it was there. I did not need to sleep with it elevated. It never throbbed. I remain happily shocked.

Today was the manipulation. I was really concerned that was going to be the worst of it. Again the injection of Lidocaine was the worst of it! It didn't even go pop. He simply pulled my finger straight. Really straight. I can now put my hand flat on a table. I can pretty close to hyper-extend the fingers. Seeing my hand open is surreal. Hyperextending is like being able to yawn again, when wasn't has been unable to.

I cannot believe how easy it all was, especially given so much of the reading I did on actual experiences were tales of great discomfort.

I am aware that Xiaflex recommends no anesthesia for the injections so that in the event the needle hits a nerve, everyone will know by the screaming. :) But my doctor put in only enough to dull the injection pain. I could still feel them, just not excruciatingly. I've never been stung by a bee, but if being stung is anything like that first Lidocaine injection, I still prefer not to repeat it 5-6 times while I try to hold still! Had he hit a nerve, I'd have still felt it.

I simply cannot believe what I'm looking at. The anesthetic from this morning has worn off and I've no pain. Just a bruised up hand. I'm banging on the keyboard like I always have, with the new benefit of not bumping my ring finger on the top set of keys when I reach for the for the O or the P key.

I am one very happy person today. I'll report back in a few weeks and see where we are then. I would definitely do this again.

Thanks to all who replied for advice.

12/31/2015 06:22
Cherise 
12/31/2015 06:22
Cherise 

Re: Xiaflex Injection today - less than 4 hours ago. Not bad so far!

hi, it's all good.. Back to life! Great story for many considering this treatment.

12/31/2015 13:42
BRIANB 
12/31/2015 13:42
BRIANB 
Re: Xiaflex Injection today - less than 4 hours ago. Not bad so far!

I could be wrong but ... when I had N.A. on two separate occasions ...lidacain or some type of numbing agent was injected.

Hardly felt any pain at all ... and I am a baby ...I think these injections and the pain associated are due to the skill of of the Doctor. If I recall a vibrating instument of some type was also used near the injection site prior to and during the injection ..

01/18/2016 18:00
kiera99 
01/18/2016 18:00
kiera99 
Re: Xiaflex Injection today - less than 4 hours ago. Not bad so far!

Update:

The finger didn't stay hyperflexing straight. While it is a SIGNIFICANT improvement, there is still a slight contracture. One lump is really flattened where the majority of Xiaflex was injected. It's a fairly stunning result on that.

I've been wearing the splint and doing all the exercises. The first couple of days it was pretty straight. Now you can see the skin turn white as the cord pulls when I try to push it back. Ah well, I got to hyper-extend it for a couple days at least.

I can shake hands without worrying about my finger bumping into people's hands. I can type again without bumping into the top row of keys on a keyboard and no more having to use my other hand to wrap my hand around the mouse.

My biggest eye-opener from this experience is not to believe you'll be the worst case scenario in terms of pain. I had NONE of the swelling up my arm, throbbing hand, etc. that other people have reported. I was so afraid that was what was going to happen that I was a big baby at the doctor's office that first day. He made a joke that this all goes easier for illiterate patients. I think he'd be right. Maybe I didn't have the reactions because he's very conservative and didn't inject the whole vial. That's fine with me. I'd rather do it a second time than have been in the group that has that much pain.

I'd NOT do this again (or would have in the first place) WITHOUT anesthetic in my hand for the injections. Again, I know Xiaflex themselves recommend against it due to possible nerve damage. Again, if nerve damage from injections was such a big concern, NA wouldn't be possible with anesthesia either. I think their concern is unfounded.

I met a man while I was recovering who had a couple Dupuytren's surgeries and was curious about my experience. He'd recently chosen surgery instead of Xiaflex, based solely on the fact his surgeon would not anesthetize his hand for the injections. I think I'd make the same choice, given that situation. We shouldn't have to make such a decision. That one bee sting of the lidocaine was all I could have taken. It sucked. I can't imagine feeling that 5 times. No thank you.

All things considered, I am ONE HAPPY XIAFLEX PATIENT!!! :)

01/18/2016 18:29
Stefan_K. 
01/18/2016 18:29
Stefan_K. 

Re: Xiaflex Injection today - less than 4 hours ago. Not bad so far!

kiera99:
I'd NOT do this again (or would have in the first place) WITHOUT anesthetic in my hand for the injections. Again, I know Xiaflex themselves recommend against it due to possible nerve damage. Again, if nerve damage from injections was such a big concern, NA wouldn't be possible with anesthesia either. I think their concern is unfounded.

Thanks for the update. I think it depends on the level of anesthesia/numbness. Can someone with better knowledge confirm that NA/PNF is typically done with a partial anesthesia, just enough not to feel pain of a successful intervention but not that much that a nerve could be touched unnoticed? Anyone knows why that approach wouldn't work for Collagenase injection?

01/18/2016 18:43
wach 

Administrator

01/18/2016 18:43
wach 

Administrator

Re: Xiaflex Injection today - less than 4 hours ago. Not bad so far!

You are right about NA: a little numbing is applied (local anaethesia) but the patient should still notice when the needle comes close to a nerve. http://www.jhandsurg.org/article/S0363-5023(11)00270-X/abstract

When I had Xiaflex myself a little numbing, VERY local, was applied before injection and stronger the next day before manipulation. I believe the manipulation could also be done without numbing but it is less painful this way.

Wolfgang

Stefan_K.:
Thanks for the update. I think it depends on the level of anesthesia/numbness. Can someone with better knowledge confirm that NA/PNF is typically done with a partial anesthesia, just enough not to feel pain of a successful intervention but not that much that a nerve could be touched unnoticed? Anyone knows why that approach wouldn't work for Collagenase injection?


Edited 01/18/16 20:44

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uncomfortable   experience   injections   conservative   anesthesia   Injection   Collagenase   hyper-extend   without   numbing   manipulation   anesthetic   anesthetize   tremendously   Lidocaine   hyperflexing   intervention   excruciatingly   Hyperextending   Xiaflex