Hello~ I'm a very distressed 60-something DC newbie ("newbette" for women??). Unfortunately I'm also new to forums -- I have no idea how they work, so I hope I'm doing this correctly.

I've been foraging through this excellent forum for information on early stage RT. The Society lists a specialist within a 3 hour drive from me, but my insurance company has asked me to find a doctor here in the Atlanta, GA, USA, area.

Trouble is, I haven't the slightest idea who (or is it "whom"?) to call, much less what I should ask him/her! So my questions for the forum are these:

1) What kind of doctor should I call? Hand doctor? Orthopedic surgeon? Internist? Oncologist? Radiologist? Or maybe the oncology department at a local medical school? Regarding the school, would there be any magic words to guide me through their medical bureaucracy? After having been diagnosed by both a hand doctor and an orthopedic surgeon (they told me to wait and return in 3 months!), I had to find out about the RT option myself!

2) Is there an official name for this specific radiation protocol?

3) When and if I locate someone, how can I be sure he/she is using the latest and greatest technique and/or equipment?

This Dupuytren's thing really had me creeped out -- until today, when I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis! The unusually high blood work numbers indicate that the RA is pretty severe. Just now read what RA really is; a sort of systemic inflammation that permanently damages joints and can also affect other organs, including heart and lungs. Geeze! Well, that's 2! Wonder what the 3rd surprise is!

So now I guess I need to find an RA forum! Hope the RA community is as helpful as the Dupuytren's group, because I'm so very grateful to have this forum in my life!

Hello, new friends!

Thanks and take care,
mmeduchatelet

Edited 10/02/12 20:58

mmeduchatelet

Welcome,

Callie, is correct if you have nodules then RT is what you want to pursue. If you have cords and contraction then there are other alternatives. I saw Dr. Crimaldi in Charlotte, NC. I found him by calling the cancer radiation centers. Dr. Crimaldi is a Radiation Oncologist. The doctors who are specialist in radiation will be able to treat your DD. Sometimes they are not listed in the phone books or online and you will need to call the cancer centers and ask them who does their radiation.

I called the radiation treatment centers and asked if they had any doctors there who treated DD. When I talked to Dr. Crimaldi I asked him if was familar with the German protocol for treatment. This was my way of assuring that he knew what he was doing. He had treated DD before. When I first met him I took the research from this website and further discussed it with him. If they are treating cancer with radiation then they will have the equipment needed to treat you. If you have further questions, then ask.

Lori