OT Dupuytrens disease

dotty123
dotty123 Member Posts: 122
edited 12. Nov 2012, 15:22 in Living with Arthritis archive
Prob a bit off topic but has anyone got Dupuytrens disease as well as OA ?

Has anyone had Radiation treatment ( for non cancer )

I am considering having RT, but the NHS have warned me it could give me cancer, and yet some say it is such a small dose to treat Dupuytrens that it doesn't. The NHS will not do this for me anyway, I would have to go private ;/

So I was just wander has anyone had RT .. their experiences

Thanks
Dot

Comments

  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    Yes I've Dupuytrens disease and no I havent had any treatment so sorry cant really help you
    Do a search in the posts for it.....I remember it being talked about a lot one time but dont remember if anyone else had RT
    Love
    Hileena
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,087
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi there

    I haven't had it but my ex MIL has. She has had jabs into hers now a total of 3 times. Each time giving relief for many months.

    Interesting that you are considering RT.

    I hope all goes well for you

    Love

    Toni xx
  • Soretoe2
    Soretoe2 Member Posts: 198
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Dotty,
    I also have Dupuytrens and have regular injections to help release my fingers. I had an unsuccessful op years ago and now just rely on finger and hand excercises, after first warming my hands with wax baths/warm water. I also have a small soft ball that I squeeze on and off all day.
    Unfortunately I also have very arthritic fingers and wrists and this makes it all worse for me. I wear special supports all the time as I am unable to do very much at all with out them.
    I also had two lots of radiation therapy for Graves disease 35 years ago. I'm not sure if that counts though. Also since the age of 3 I've had hundeds of x rays and scans.
    Not to mention having my feet x rayed every year when I went to be fitted with special shoes as a girl. So far fingers crossed (ouch) no cancer and I'm 60. I always worry just a little bit when I have more x rays but hey ho, I have to have them so just accept it's what's going to happen.
    Try not to worry too much. Many years ago (when they gave you more raditaion at each sitting than now) a radiologist told me that she received more radiation in a few months that I would probably in a lifetime.That very few radiologists went on to have cancer, no more than the national average.
    I do hope that you will get some good help and advice for your poor hands, it's one of the worst things I have to live with, even though it's not the most painful. You have my sincere sympathy.
    Take care and let us know how you get on, Joy
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Dotty123, it's nice to hear from you again albeit with not such good news. I don't have Dupuytrens but I have had radioactive stuff injected into my left knee (twice) over eight years ago which did nothing for the arthritis and so far I'm cancer-free. I take injected methotrexate for my auto-immune arthritis (which is a treatment for cancer) but the dosage is very small compared to the mega-doses for that. I am also on humira, an anti TNF treatment and apparently that carries a higher risk me of getting cancer but I'm not phased by that because it may not happen.

    I know that there is a 'duty of care' with medical practitioners to warn us about the potential pitfalls of treatments but I do wonder from time to time if they take it too far. It's very hard to judge, isn't it, and it places a deal of pressure on us as patients whether to take a gamble or not. Is there any other treatment that the NHS would consider, or have you had it and it hasn't worked? It's a puzzle and I am sorry you are facing this dilemma. I wish you well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I don't have this but, if it were me, I'd want to know how much radiation compared with, say, an X-ray or MRI, also the success rate. I suspect it's very little and they just have to warn you but fully warned is fully armed.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • dotty123
    dotty123 Member Posts: 122
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you for our replies, I am still considering it and going to see if I can get the treatment on NHS.. however much they are trying to put me off. I have done lots of research and very little chance of upping my chances of cancer.
    If I can't get it on NHS I will have to go private, oouch.. very costly and I am finding it difficult to find someone who is more interested in my problem and other than what the cost is...

    OH well money talks !!

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