Well, it's been over two months since my Kenalog and here is what I now notice.

The mild pain when pressing the nodules is gone.

The size of the nodules and cords has not really changed.

The nodules and cord, or possibly the skin around the area "feel" slightly different. Very hard to describe.

There has been no further contraction. I still have about 3 degrees relative to the other hand.

Well, that is about it. Any recommendations? I am planning to get another injection shortly.

So you had your first injections 4 years ago and then your second round two months ago? How many are in a "round"? Spaced at what interval?

What did you notice and how long was it after your first round.

Were all the injections points you had from Dr. Kline Kenalog, or were some Lidocaine?

Here are my pics. All the injections in the perimeter were Lidocaine. The Kenalog injections were in the nodules, and in the cord. http://kineoptics.com/stuff.html

Edited at 11.12.07 00:36

On January 2, 2008 I had another series of Kenalog injections in my nodules and cord. This time, to my surprise, the doctor injected the nodules and cord initially with the Lidocaine. I think this should have been around the nodules because of a comment in this article,

http://www.aafp.org/afp/20070701/86.html

about mixing Kenalog and Lidocaine. I also requested less Lidocaine and then waiting 5 minutes for it to work. This is highly recommended because unless the Lidocaine is buffered, it burns like fire initially when injected and less works fine if one waits for it to work. Three ml of Kenalog were injected into both nodules and my cord. The doctor did comment that the nodules seemed softer than on the previous injection.

After about 6 hours, the Lidocaine wore off and my hand was more sore than last time. A micro-waved cloth bag of raw rice feels real good in the palm of my hand. As of today, it still has this really painful bruised ache when opened or closed all of the way, but gets better each day. In three days I was able to type at full speed. I would say that in a week I would be totally back to normal.

Has anyone else had Kenalog and had this amount of pain in the days after?

Also in that American Family Physician article, the recommendation is to inject the Kenalog radially around and into the nodule. I will request this method next time. I also will recommend that the Lidocaine be injected in the palm, about 50mm towards the wrist in a few spots in line with the nodule. Then give it 10 minutes or so to numb the nodules, and palm, and fingers. Lidocaine works well. Then you can relax because you will not feel the Kenalog and the doc can take their time getting the Kenalog correctly into the nodules.

Not being an MD and giving a recommendation may sound a bit pretentious, but after being on the pointy end of the needle a few times, I would assume that I qualify as an expert wimp.

See updated pictures here. http://www.kineoptics.com/stuff.html



Edited at 07.01.08 02:39

Hi, Yes, we are in the early stages. Your part in the trial was with the real deal or is it possible you had a placebo?

Has your nodules softened? How long has it been?

I had a local Dermotologist do the injection. I used Kenalog per many recommendations to slow it down and yes, I have no contraction.

Could you describe your treatment experience?