Hello Everyone!

Thank you for the forum and all of the good information that you provide. I am 37 and have 2 nodules on my left hand after suffering from a large cut. I don't have any DC in my family and it was really disturbing, as you all know, to have these bumps growing in my hand and then to be told by 2 hand specialists that there was nothing to be done for it except surgery, eventually.

That's when I ended up here at the forum and other online resources to get all the information I could. Radiation therapy sounded like the best bet since the nodules are still growing. I went to Dr. T at Scripps and was barely a candidate for it, because I wasn't experiencing any real limitations. My nodules were progressing and I experience some pain while driving or trying to flex my hand back. Luckily, I don't have any contracture. But, I was tremendously nervous about it and experiencing pain in certain situations. Radiation therapy was going to cost around $6,400 in San Diego without insurance. A little steep and there was always the chance that it wouldn't progress.

So, where is the good news? I have been doing a cleanse and I'm on my third week with Clearvite (an enzyme-based powder) and my hand has stopped hurting and I'm able to flex my fingers all the way back. I was amazed. The cleanse has had me cut out all wheat, dairy, soy, corn, tomato, caffeine, and alcohol. I don't know if my DC is improving because of the supplement or because of my dietary changes. But, I am happy to have any improvement and wanted to share my story. I will give updates as I reintroduce foods and go off the powder. The cleanse will be over next week.

Good luck!
K

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not registered

I was diagnosed with MCS/EI and Complex Food Allergies 20 years ago. Long story short, with process of elimination, I found that potato caused congestion in my hands/stiffness etc. Around that time I was aware of a dupuytren's contracture in fifth digit right hand. It hasn't changed(-35) all these years. Recently, I saw a hand specialists, about a swelling in my left wrist that popped up acutely that caused pain and limited motion of 3-4-5 digits. (Incidently, this happened after an MRI of the cervical spine.) The lump, pain and motion on the wrist resolved in a week. He did not have an explanation because it was not a ganglion. But we noticed two cords in this palm with nodules and the beginning of contractures. I was aware of one but thought it was a callous. DAH
In addition, I am having right shoulder pain and doing PT. I noticed this shoulder joint looking swollen. Researching related diseases to dupuytren's tonight, I was amazed to find shoulders and bi cep muscles to be included. I am thinking, what in the world would cause all of this activity in my tendon facia. Your note makes me examine my current exposures to foods or chemicals. Thanks, Sue

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Hi Everyone!

Here's an update on my journey with Dupuytren's...

My three-week cleanse ended awhile ago and I slowly re-introduced potential allergens. In the second week of the cleanse, when I was taking the clearvite 3 times a day, was when I noticed my hand feeling better. Or actually noticed that I wasn't feeling any pain or thinking about my hand and the nodules, I could stretch my fingers all the way back, and felt the nodules flattening. I was so encouraged and amazed after being told there was nothing that could be done, short of surgery or radiation therapy.

The foods that I have kept out of my diet are gluten, dairy, and caffeine. My hand doesn't feel as perfect as it was feeling during the full cleanse. I am now trying to discover what part of the cleanse was helping the dupuytren's. My hand still feels a lot better and I can still stretch it back all the way. I do feel a little discomfort at times when I drive or hold certain things. Clearvite is a dietary supplement with enzymes, herbs, and vitamins, so I have found an enzyme supplement, Digest Gold, that includes all of the enzymes in Clearvite and for the last week I have been taking it to see if the enzymes are the key. It seems to be helping, but I can't say for sure. I'm going to continue with the enzymes for a month and see if I really notice a difference. I started with the enzymes because of another post I read about vitalzym. I may try that after the digest gold.

It's possible that it is an allergen as well. I have read about Dupuytren's disease being like an auto-immune response and allergens can trigger that response. So, I also plan on doing the cleanse again after trying the enzymes and re-introducing the foods slowly to see if I have any response in my hand.

This is my process of elimination and I am hopeful that I will find the right combination that will diminish the nodules and prevent them from progressing. I would love to hear about anyone else's story.

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