In July I concluded RT for my right hand with Dr. Elisabeth Weiss in Virginia. The process went smoothly and I would be happy to recommend VCU for radiation to everyone out there. Dr. Weiss has quite a bit of experience treating DC patients. Both of my two nodules have shrunk significantly and I no longer have any tingling in my hand.

This week I was diagnosed with Dupuytren's in my left hand. It has started off the same way, with cords and no nodules. Of course I can't have RT at this point, so I will wait and watch and hope that the left hand does not progress with the rapid speed of the right. With my right hand, the three cords seem to grow noticeably thicker each day and the nodules turned from the size of a pinhead to the size of a large pea in several weeks.

Since my case is complicated by my Reynaud's Syndrome, a condition that might be aggravated and worsened by radiation, I am hoping to get through the cold winter months and observe the potential effects of RT on my right hand. If my Reynaud's is more severe, I will have to examine other options for my left hand. Right now it is all a waiting game.

I did want to share that I was quite pleased with the latest hand surgeon I visited with--the fifth I've consulted about Dupuytren's. He was open to exploring the possibility of connecting me with a radiologist here in Connecticut, at Yale, if I choose to do RT. (Travelling proved to be quite a hardship on my family/children and I wouldn't want to leave them alone again for the ten days of treatment.) Dr. Mark Altman, along with performing traditional surgery for DC, does do needle aponeurotomy. My appointment with him made me completely confident that I will have several options if my left hand becomes a problem. He was extraordinarily kind and compassionate, something I had not experienced with the other physicians who all dismissed me quickly, telling me to return when my fingers contracted. [Note to Wolfgang--I'd like to add him to the list of doctors who perform NA. How do I accomplish that?]

Just wanted to get Dr. Altman's name out there to others in my area of the country. As so many of us know, it can be really difficult to find the right doctor when it comes to our condition.

Amy

I had five days of RT, 3 gy/day in May. She requested that I return in six to eight weeks, but my schedule did not permit. I had my second round of RT twelve weeks later for a total of 30 gy. Seems to be the exact protocol done in Germany. When I completed my treatment for my right hand in July, there were absolutely no signs of the left hand having DC. The cords appeared in my left hand only three weeks ago. Since I have no nodules yet, I am not currently a candidate for RT as I understand that I need to have "active" nodules to undergo radiation.

MerryMom,

What do you do for the Reynaud's Syndrome? Do you use Procardia (nifedipine)? That was a miracle drug for my daughter for Reynaud's.

Thanks for the info, Callie. I have never been prescribed anything for my Reynaud's! I am going to sit down and start reading about the medication you mentioned. At this point my Reynaud's has been a minor annoyance, happening only about a dozen times each winter. But if it gets worse, I am happy to know there are some meds out there.

Thanks so much for the additional info! Was reading about the medication and worried about the quantity required of four times a day. Great to know it can be used only when I'm having a flare up. Will talk to my primary MD next week.