Any one else with Dupuytren's Contracture??

[woodmort]

There are a couple of techniques where they bust up the fibers, most don't last however. My DW tried to get me to go to a specialist in Miami a few years back that does it and there is a clinic out in OR someplace that uses the technique. It was developed in France. My problem is they both require some recovery time and I'd rather live with it than be inactive.

 

[fl_deb]

Well, to those that have a pinkie only involvement, apparently another explaination can simply be that the tendon does not slide through Aurtherhetic (sp sic) joints and may cause the finger to become STUCK in the closed position and is sometimes called a trigger finger.

 

[justbugged]

My father has it. He is half Norwegian. I think that he is the only one in the family that has this condition. Dad is nearly 80 now. I believe that he has had surgery on his hand twice now. I don't know a lot more about it. At this point I have not been talking to my parents, so finding out more is not very likely.

 

[Junkmanme]

Quote:
For your own sake....
You should make a strong effort to visit with your parents. A Father who is 80 years old is not likely to be around very much longer.
You might be glad later that you got back on "speaking-terms".

just an old-Father's opinion.

-Junkmanme-

 

[justbugged]

Quote:
For your own sake....
You should make a strong effort to visit with your parents. A Father who is 80 years old is not likely to be around very much longer.
You might be glad later that you got back on "speaking-terms".

just an old-Father's opinion.

-Junkmanme-

I keep this in mind all the time. I wonder how I will feel when my parents die. At this point, I think that I will be able to handle the inevitable. My relationship with my father had been better than ever, but the disregard for me as a person has become to difficult for me to handle anymore. My parents have always placed the church first, and I can no longer manage to believe the way I have been required too, just to be accepted as part of the family. If I don't conform to the teachings of the church, then I would be separated from the family, regardless of any wish otherwise on my part.

 

[moonlyghtegirl]

Quote:
The medication is named "Xiaflex." the manufacturer is Auxilium Pharm. Of course, you will need to see a hand specialist for this treatment. I have not read any of the studies yet, but had run across some information in recent continuing education materials. You should be able to do a search yourself, and you can contact the company as well. They should have "patient information" available.

The recovery time is very short compared to surgery. (edited to add this info)

Hope this helps! Good luck!


MLG

 

[SallyF]

Quote:
For your own sake....
You should make a strong effort to visit with your parents. A Father who is 80 years old is not likely to be around very much longer.
You might be glad later that you got back on "speaking-terms".

just an old-Father's opinion.

-Junkmanme-

I keep this in mind all the time. I wonder how I will feel when my parents die. At this point, I think that I will be able to handle the inevitable. My relationship with my father had been better than ever, but the disregard for me as a person has become to difficult for me to handle anymore. My parents have always placed the church first, and I can no longer manage to believe the way I have been required too, just to be accepted as part of the family. If I don't conform to the teachings of the church, then I would be separated from the family, regardless of any wish otherwise on my part.

Not to hijack this thread, but you have my sympathy, justbugged. I've always felt that a church that excludes rather than includes is not much of a church. And, Woodmort, hope you find something useful for your condition. Keep us posted.

 

[woodmort]

Quote:
The medication is named "Xiaflex." the manufacturer is Auxilium Pharm. Of course, you will need to see a hand specialist for this treatment. I have not read any of the studies yet, but had run across some information in recent continuing education materials. You should be able to do a search yourself, and you can contact the company as well. They should have "patient information" available.

The recovery time is very short compared to surgery. (edited to add this info)

Hope this helps! Good luck!


MLG

Thanks MLG--I'll check into it. I went to Company's site and found there is a plastic surgeon locally that is qualified to use it. Depends on cost--the stuff I read said it is $5,400 a pop.

 

[moonlyghtegirl]

Quote:
The medication is named "Xiaflex." the manufacturer is Auxilium Pharm. Of course, you will need to see a hand specialist for this treatment. I have not read any of the studies yet, but had run across some information in recent continuing education materials. You should be able to do a search yourself, and you can contact the company as well. They should have "patient information" available.

The recovery time is very short compared to surgery. (edited to add this info)

Hope this helps! Good luck!


MLG

Thanks MLG--I'll check into it. I went to Company's site and found there is a plastic surgeon locally that is qualified to use it. Depends on cost--the stuff I read said it is $5,400 a pop.

Call the company and see if they have a Patient Assistance program, it may help pay for the medication, but not the procedure. The drug cost quoted is usually the "retail" cost. As it is a medication used in a procedure, it would be covered under your medical insurance, not your prescription coverage.

If you have insurance you may have to go through a pre-approval for the procedure in order for the insurance to pay. The doctor(s) will be your greatest advocates in this situation, especially considering the severity of the disease, and its effect (sp?) on quality of life and ability to work.

The doctors always have an insurance specialist in their office to handle such matters. Make sure they have all your previous medical records as well. You can sign medical releases, and there should be no charge to you when the medical records are sent from medical office to medical office.

Have a great weekend! MLG