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07/24/2017 22:26
DedeeHarris 
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07/24/2017 22:26
DedeeHarris
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Diagnosed Today
I am 46 years old with no family history. I was diagnosed today with DD, but was told it is very early stages and should wait until it is worse to worry about it. Here is my concern: I just noticed the 1st lump in my hand aloud 6-8 weeks ago, and I have literally watched it grow (it is still very small, but bigger than it was nonetheless) now it is longer, stretching towards my pinky. There is also a new lump that appeared more towards the center of my hand just about a week ago. The doctor seemed to act like this disease is usually slow growing, and I shouldn't worry, but I feel like it's growing before my eyes! She also says it's usually genetic and more common in older men, but I have read that when you are diagnosed at a younger age it is usually more aggressive. So, I am kind of freaked out right now, not sure what to do or think.
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07/25/2017 04:49
wach  Administrator
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07/25/2017 04:49
wach Administrator
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Re: Diagnosed Today
First of all, welcome to our forum - though you probably would have preferred not to be bothered with it ...! But seriously. you are not getting this disease very early, actualy for men 46 is the average age of onset http://www.dupuytren-online.info/patient_survey.html . If your nodules are growing quickly you might consider having radiotherapy http://www.dupuytren-online.info/radiation_therapy.html . Radiotherapy works best for new nodules. I developed my first nodule at the age of 35, had it irradiated and it vanished, never coming back. It's true that Dupuytren's is most likely genetic and cannot be cured, so eventually you might develop new nodules elsewhere. But that's not such a drama because there are means for treating at least the symptoms. I now have been suffering from Dupuytren's for nearly another 35 years and I am still doing OK and can use my hands. True, over the years I had a variety of treatments but they maintained the function of my hands. So, in short, don't worry, work a little through this web site (for example "Disease" and "Treatment" in the above menu), and consider radiotherapy.
BTW, where are you living?
Wolfgang
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07/25/2017 06:44
spanishbuddha Administrator
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07/25/2017 06:44
spanishbuddha Administrator
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Re: Diagnosed Today
As wach suggests RT might be a good option for you now. Whilst you are doing your research and finding a radiologist, start a photo log and keep a record of symptoms, so that your subjective view of the rate of progression is backed up with some objective evidence. DD often goes in cycles, active, dormant, active, dormant, with some progression during the active cycles, so it slowly progresses, but for many never reaches the stage of a finger or hand contracture. It's not possible to predict individual cases, but RT works to stop or slow progression for many years for the majority if done during one of those active cycles.
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07/26/2017 20:07
bstenman 
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07/26/2017 20:07
bstenman
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Re: Diagnosed Today
In my case my diagnosis was not done by my family physician and this delayed RT by more than 18 months. Then I had to travel to Germany in 2007 as no one was doing the XRT in the USA. It was well worth the trip to Essen to get my hands treated. The XRT completely halted the progression in my right hand but was not as effective with my dominant hand that had progressed much further by that time.
I view XRT as a probably will help and definitely can't hurt treatment. The radiation is focused on the layer under the skin so it is not affecting the bones in your hand much less any other part of your body.
The good news is that there are more treatment options and more skilled physicians available now than when I was first diagnosed in 2007. And most doctors will provide inaccurate or incomplete information and bad advice. That is why this forum is so incredibly value for individuals to be able to have as a resource for good information.
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07/27/2017 23:42
llipinsk
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07/27/2017 23:42
llipinsk
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Re: Diagnosed Today
Hi DeeDeeHarris. Welcome and sorry to hear about your new diagnosis, but honestly, I've had it for ten years and it's not so bad. About nine years after my diagnosis, I had the nodules on my palm start growing super fast, like you describe. It felt like it almost happened overnight, though I'm sure that isn't true. One formed near the base of my ring finger and made it so I couldn't wear rings on that hand in what seemed like days. I do believe that the disease ebbs and flows, and has fast growth periods and slow growth periods. That has been my experience anyway. (I'm a 48-year-old woman, no family history but I did have a traumatic break of my right wrist, and the DD came soon after that injury.)
Edited 07/28/17 02:44
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08/02/2017 19:16
BarryWilliams
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08/02/2017 19:16
BarryWilliams
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Re: Diagnosed Today
I had early Dupuytren's contracture in both hands, but with a negative Heusten Test. There was a strong family history so I was watching for it.
It was cured by Dr John Glees of Parkside Cancer Centre with radiotherapy. There has been no recurrence.
Radiotherapy is most effective if exhibited before the hands become bent.
Edited 08/02/17 22:17
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