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The End is Near?
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12/10/2003 23:29
Thank You

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12/10/2003 23:29
Thank You

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The End is Near?

How about a great big THANK YOU for the people who worked so hard for years to have NA recognized and finally accepted by at least one surgeon in the USA. We owe it all to those few who kept this forum going despite derisive remarks by surgical enthusiasts.

Thanks to Walt, Jerry, and the others who gave so much of themselves.

12/11/2003 23:09
Randy H.

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12/11/2003 23:09
Randy H.

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The End is Near?

A hearty second to your motion! This is a great example of how the Internet has given power to a diverse group of individuals with a common need. This power has now been used to effect what will be significant change in all our lives. Congratulations all around!!

Something to consider though: This site was created by, and continues to be financed by, BioSpecifics. They are now in the final stages of being approved by the FDA for what must be considered a competing approach to NA. Essentially, their injectable collegenase does chemically the same thing that NA does "mechanically": Sever Dups chords. Instead of inserting and moving a serrated edged needle to sever the binding cords, their approach is to inject an enzyme that attacks the rouge collagen that has caused all of us to long on to this beloved site. Which is the better approach is not the point. The point is that NA, being mechanical, needs no FDA approval. By contrast, BioSpecifics competing procedure does. This means megabucks, and they are quickly running out of mini-bucks! Bottom line: the US spread of NA may spell the death of BioSpecifics. Their very similar noninvasive approach may suffer from a lack of continued funding by savvy investors who may begin to realize that NA may well carry the day. Personally I will greave their passing, as they invested the future of their company in easing our pain.

What will this mean to us? Two things: 1) We will loose another treatment option. 2) This sight will go dark!!!!!
In the long view, this may not be too high a price to pay. The acceptance of NA as the first line of defense for Dups may well render this site obsolete. After all, there is no site for the promotion of angeoplasty or orthroscopic knee surgery. How ironic, though, that this site, funded by a bio-med company should be used to promote and advance the ONE procedure that could lead to it final demise!! However, should we go dark, the mission will have been accomplished!!

12/11/2003 23:21
Judy

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12/11/2003 23:21
Judy

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Thank You

I don't see that N.A. is the total answer. I'm not far enough along with my contracture to have treatment yet, but it seems that besides having the cords severed to release my fingers, I will want the cord collagen material dissolved/gone from my fingers too. That way my hand should be completely back to normal.

I'm very thankful for the major progress that has been made and to the people who have made it happen.

Judy

12/11/2003 23:40
JERRY 
12/11/2003 23:40
JERRY 
CHOICES

Thanks to all that have offered their good wishes and especially to Randy for his usual thoughtful insights and topical postings.

THUMBS UP

12/11/2003 23:52
JERRY 
12/11/2003 23:52
JERRY 
CHOICES

Judy,

After reading all the forum postings, do you seriously believe that conventional surgery is still the best approach?

NA is the very BEST method for relief we have at the moment. I have experienced NA as well as surgery. My NA hand remains 90% of perfect after surgeons advised that I required amputation of 2 fingers.

My surgered hand has left me in a semi-crippled state.

When and if Collagenase is approved we will have a choice of procedures; a far cry from what we were compelled to endure for 30 years in this Country while NA was practiced in Europe.

12/11/2003 23:28
Tom M

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12/11/2003 23:28
Tom M

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Ultimate goal: Genetic Aproach

I have also wondered about the status of BioSpecifics. I continue to be hopeful that they will obtain FDA approval, and provide us with yet another alternative. I may be wrong, but it seems to me that collagenase will be of value to those of us who have nodules but not contraction -- the collagenase should be able to reduce the nodules. Moreover, it would suggest that treatment would be available earlier, before curvature occurs.

12/11/2003 23:43
jim h

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12/11/2003 23:43
jim h

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Ultimate goal: Genetic Aproach

In trials to date they have only injected enough Collagenase to weaken the band to the point that it can be snapped mechanically. Collagenase is apparently a powerful enzyme that you don't want to let loose inside your hand.

I think if this approach works there would be no need to do anything about nodules, which are not harmful in themselves.


12/11/2003 23:51
JERRY 
12/11/2003 23:51
JERRY 
Hand and foot??

I have been traveling the route you suggest for the past 2 years with little or no success.

Two drug firms are attempting to obtain FDA approval for a Collagen inhibitor. I have attempted to obtain orphan status so it can be utilized in reducing our body’s Collagen production; in turn it should thwart much of the Collagen that clogs the sheath around our tendons.

Our basic problem remains with the fact that Dupuytren’s is not a life threatening disease, therefore funding such as grants will not be a high priority.

As for gene researching; I happen to be very close to a group headed by one of the brightest individuals in the field. He will be happy to help, however he is confronted with the same situation as mentioned above.

It is my personal belief that gene manipulation will one day be the cure-all for our debilitating malady.

In a nut shell; WE ARE VERY LOW ON THE FOOD CHAIN.

12/12/2003 23:08
Jim Smith

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12/12/2003 23:08
Jim Smith

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Hand and foot??

I have had surgery on my right middle finger. Surgery on foot twice on to different areas. Now my left foot will needs surgery. My question is: Is the foot and hand related with this disease? Jim

12/14/2003 23:57
Jim

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12/14/2003 23:57
Jim

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Thanks again Randy.

Hope again!! I sure do not like to have surgery!!! Jim

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debilitating   semi-crippled   approach   manipulation   Collagenase   individuals   surgery   collagen   treatment   BioSpecifics   experienced   accomplished   orthroscopic   contraction   Congratulations   conventional   Essentially   Dupuytren’s   mechanically   collegenase