| Forum » Other therapies » Collagenase - where is it available? |
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03/07/08 12:04
sven1419
not registered
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Re: Collagenase - where is it available?
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This is great news, being from England originally, going home for this treatment would be a great option. Can you give more information on where this was available?
Hi JuliaH,
I regret to inform you that there was a limited number of people chosen to undergo the Collagenase trials here in England over the next 9 months and I was told by the surgeon carrying out my treatment that it would be about 2 years if the tests proved to be successfull before it became available in England.
Maybe it will be available earlier in USA.
Regards
Sven
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03/07/08 13:13
sven1419
not registered
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Re: Collagenase - where is it available?
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Hi Sven,
It just struck me that you mentioned treatment over a 9-month period. How often do you have to go and receive injections and did they explain why the 9 month treatment period?
With NA there is a single surgical session. With X-ray therapy there are two sets of week long treatments six months apart. So I am curious as to the number of visits one would need to make to a clinic to receive the injections as this could have a big impact on the overall cost involved.
Thanks,
Bruce
Hi Bruce,
Perhaps I have misled you when I said that the period of treatment was over 9 months when actually the
9 months period is the length of the study trials. The visits to the hospital for treatment depends on how many fingers require treatment also how many injections are required to complete same, as it can take up to a maximum of 3 collagenase injections for each infected finger with a 30 day period between each injection .
Fortunately I,m taking part in a research study here in England which is free, also I live quite close to the hospital and the fact that I,m retired make it very easy for the frequent visits I will have to make.
Also I feel privilaged to be taking part in this programme as I believe it will be at least 2 years if the tests are a success before the treatment will be available in England.
regards
Sven
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03/07/08 19:32
bstenman 
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Re: Collagenase - where is it available?
Sven,
Thanks for the clarification. Having to make 3 visits over a 90 day period would make it expensive to travel any distance and this travel and lodging expense is not covered by medical insurance (as was the case with my trip to Essen for XRT).
With a NA procedure one is in and back out of a doctor's office in about an hour and there is a single visit so this will be a significantly less expensive treatment for most people even after collagenase is available outside of the clinical trials. In the USA especially, this will be a consideration as travel options are more limited and more expensive than in Europe. People have expressed a reluctance to travel 300 miles for a NA and I wonder how they would view making the trip 3 times for multiple collagenase treatments.
Has anyone mentioned whether they will be doing followups at yearly intervals to check the rate at which the disease reasserts itself?
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03/08/08 10:12
Wolfgang
not registered
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Re: Collagenase - where is it available?
Bruce, I was told that the clinics participating in the trial only accept patients that live close by because of those frequent visits. But the many visits are required only for the trial, they need to track in detail what is going on. Once collagenase has been approved it will probably only take a couple of visits, one for injection and another one for breaking the cord. I would think collagenase needs some time to eat into the cord, so they won't be able to do it on a single visit. That's the downside compared to NA, the upside is that the treatment can probably done by someone closer to you.
Wolfgang
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