Just have to throw in my two cents. Where are all the negative postings regarding NA? The vast majority of the posters here with a negative experience, and some frankly god awful ones including the loss of the use of an entire hand, are those that had traditional surgery. Anybody with half a brain that compares the two options should be able to see which, if suitable, is infinitely preferable.

We've had, what I believe to be, shills from the medical industry here try to deride NA by insulting people excited about their excellent NA results, blatant distortion of the facts, and ad hominem attacks. The reason why? $$$$$. The American medical system is oriented towards profit before the health of the patient. Should any doubt that, peruse the book "Overdosed America".

I've been reading for the last several years about the remarkable results that Gary and his doppleganger Sean have had with surgery and whenever I'm a little down I reflect on his success and immediately cheer up. For that I'm eternally thankful that he has shared that so many times but still think that NA is infinitely superior in virtually every regard.

Baron

Though not a practice of mine, I respect the practice of Yoga. However, I seriously doubt the benefits being claimed in regard to Dups. Stretching of contracting fingers has been tired many times in many ways over the years. People have worn splints at night in an attempt to halt the progression. The problem is that you can't keep your hand immobilized at all times. During the day you *must* use the hand normally to keep it healthy. During the non-splint periods the disease tissue is free to continue growing and contracting.

Yoga may stretch fingers far better than a splint. It may the be the absolute *finest* way to stretch Dups tissue there has ever been created. That has no bearing on the fact that you can't hold a Yoga position for the rest of your life. The moment you stop, the disease is waiting for it's chance to move forward. That's why Yoga can't possibly be of any value here.

If I'm missing something here, please straighten me (and my fingers) out :-)

I'll take up Yoga.

JD,

Read the thread "Stopping Dupuytren's" and you find nothing of practical use. If something was known to work, it would show up here. It hasn't. Also, We have been told repeatedly that the Collagenase trials are scheduled to be continued, but we've heard that for a long time. Even if the Phase III trials ever are complete, it will be two years or so before final approval by the FAD.

So, it's not worth the energy to even *think* about Collagenase until trials are resumed. BioSpecifics actual contribution to Dupuytren's patients Worldwide will quite likely come down to the simple creation of this site, which became the vehicle through which the NA movement was born.

At this point, think in terms of how to "reverse" Dups with NA rather than how to stop it. It's the best thing that's happened to your hands since non-sliced up bread.

Miriam - For reasons I don't fully understand, Dupuytren's is considered a rare disease, at least the Mayo Clinic website says it's rare - other's describe it as common - go figure. That's why collagenase has "orphan drug" status:

Orphan Drugs

The term "orphan drug" refers to a product that treats a rare disease affecting fewer than 200,000 Americans. The Orphan Drug Act was signed into law on January 4, 1983. Since the Orphan Drug Act passed, over 100 orphan drugs and biological products have been brought to market.


The intent of the Orphan Drug Act is to stimulate the research, development, and approval of products that treat rare diseases. This mission is accomplished through several mechanisms:


Sponsors are granted seven years of marketing exclusivity after approval of its orphan drug product.

Sponsors also are granted tax incentives for clinical research they have undertaken.

FDA's Office of Orphan Products Development coordinates research study design assistance for sponsors of drugs for rare diseases [Notice: This link will take you outside the CDER web site].

The Office of Orphan Products Development also encourages sponsors to conduct open protocols, allowing patients to be added to ongoing studies.

Grant funding is available to defray costs of qualified clinical testing expenses incurred in connection with the development of orphan products.