hello fellow dup sufferers: I have posted a few times previously under different topics. I have had NA performed twice before, once in Switzerland and once in Calif. most recently, both with satisfying results. This post addresses a possible benefit lycopene might provide to alleviate symptoms and progression of this fibrotic process. (search: lycopene) However, I came about this thinking about lycopene in an entirely different manner. Each year a pick a different vegetable to grow in large numbers. This year was tomatoes. 50 plants of different varieties. Way more than we can handle, but have been eating tomatoes for a month now in large quantities. Both my hands have "calmed" down significantly. I realize this is strictly empirical and might be just coincidence, ie. an unrelated state of remission. But maybe not, so thought I'd share my experience. Will keep updates if anyone is interested. Best to all, Jey

Wolfgang, I've enjoyed many of your posts, so thought I'd respond. Basically what I've noticed is just being less aware of the ever ongoing reminders we get daily from our hands that we have this disorder. Yes, less pain from banging a nodule or chord or a stiff handshake, less tingling episodes, less noticable inflammation, more a feeling of dormantcy, ie. inactive nodules and chords, less swelling at nodules and chords etc. It's only been six weeks since my last NA, which adds another factor to the mix. Dr. Denkler in Calif did the NA this time much more aggressively than Dr. Rappoport did in Switzerland two years ago. Dr. Denkler did NA on all of my cords involving varying degrees of contracture as well as surprizingly all of the nodules , even those not involved in contracture. This surprized me at first because I hadn't heard of NA on nodules before, and my hands hurt a little more and a little longer after the NA, but I think it was not only effective relieveing contracture but also partially resolved the two nodules he worked on. So is it the NA or are the tomatoes (lycopene) helping, I really don't know but will continue to monitor. I've had Dup now 20 plus years so have experienced lots of varying symptoms. LOL Jey

jey,

I too was surprised at how extensive my NA treatment was. A large nodule in the center of my palm was essentially cut in half and other palm chords were broken, or at least weakened. Not every attempt to disrupt Dups tissue was successful, but every attempt to bomb and strafe the enemy was made.

I'm going to guess that American CHS will be more aggressive than the French non-surgeons. This may be slightly more invasive, but this aggressive approach may, in fact, disrupt the disease and slow it down more than the original less aggressive French approach.

With this above possibility in mind, you might not be able to isolate the effect of the tomatoes unless you start and stop them a few times. I wouldn't blame you if you'd rather *not* right now while things are going well. On the other hand, what does "large quantities" mean? How may average size tomatoes per day? I might give it a go.

Hi Jey, thank you for providing more details! Though your NA might have played a dominating role, the idea of tomatoes relieving the pain is still tempting. Wouldn't it be a nice explanation if a Mediterranean diet would slow Dupuytren while the essentially tomatoeless Scandinavians still suffer from it? But maybe or maybe not. As Randy said, this will have to be tested thoroughly by going on and off a tomatoe diet and observing Dupuytren at the same time. For yourself it probably doesn't make a difference what had helped and I am glad you are doing better!

Wolfgang

Dr RAPPOPORT
Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV)
Lausanne
Tel : 0041(0)213141481 – fax : 0041(0)213141471
Email : Georges.Rappoport@hospvd.ch
Site web : http://www.hospvd.ch/chuv/rmr

Dr RAPPOPORT
Centre thermal
1400 Yverdon-les-bains
Tel : 0041(0)244230202 – fax : 0041(0)244230222
Email : g.rappoport@hmsnet.ch
Site web : http://www.cty.ch