Some months ago I heard a radio interview with the jazz pianist Dave Brubeck in which he sang the praises of Dr JM Ellis who advocated the use of, and, I think, personally treated Brubeck's advanced DC with vitamin B6 (100mg daily). He had been unable to perform owing to DC but the condition was reversed and he was able to continue playing. Has anyone read this book or another he wrote with J.Priestly, "Vit B6, The Doctor's Report" (Harpers & Row, NY, 1973) or given B6 a try?

I have receintly started taking B complex in hopes that it will help fight DC progression. I'll have to read the book you noted to see if my and the Dr.'s thoughts agree. I am of the opinion that neuroapathy (damaged nerves) either directly, or indirectly through impaired blood circulation, cause the body to deposit collagen in the palmar fascia because it thinks repair is needed. The risk groups for DC and neuroapathy are virtually the same. Age, alcoholism, diabeties, treatment for epilepsy, etc.. B6 is important to nerve function and that may be the link here.

Article in today's Sun-Sentinal (4/14/01)re B6 says large dosage can damage nerves. Suggested maximum dosage for both sexes and all ages is 1.7mg daily. Multis contain much too much.

Good Luck

The best thing I have found, is mild massage of the hand, and , mild stretching. Anything else, is suppouse to aggravate the condition. I have been told that by a french hand surgeon....to use your hands, but not to get aggressive about it. You don't want to overuse them, and cause damage. But, to keep using them.
I have had this for 2 years now, and it was progressing, and is now, not progressing. I have a very good friend, that has had DC since 1955, and it has not progressed. He does a morning stretch, and massage, each day. He also had it in his foot, and he did the same thing, and it, also, has not gone further. He could not even walk , at one point. He, to this day, has had no surgery, and is continuing on massage, and stretching. Nothing big, just a mild stretching.