Saw the radiotherapist

[watervole]

Went to see a radiotherapist today.  My persistance with various doctors has finally paid off.  He looked at the material I'd brought with me and said that although he'd never come across Dupuytren's being treated by radiation therapy before, the German data looked good and he'd treat me.  I should get the appointments (I have to go in for five days on the trot) in two to three weeks time.]

HE said that radiation therapy is used for some other conditions that are benign (ie. non-cancerous).  I think he mentioned Plantar fibromatosis on the feet (or something that sounded a bit like that).  I asked him if he meant Ledderhose disease,  but he'd never heard of that.  Actually (confirming my thoughts with Google) the two are one and the same thing.

Ledderhose is the version of Dupytren's that occurs on the feet.  It tends to run far more to nodules (which are the starting point on the hand) and only rarely goes into contracture.

However, if he is used to treating the related condition, that's a good sign.  But how come he didn't even know they were related?  (there's a genetic link in the inheritance patterns)  It's as though you have to suffer from something yourself to have the incentive to read around it.  I guess teaching tends to run in patterns and as you were taught, so you teach.  Every country seems to have its favoured methods for treating Dupuytren's.  I came across a new article today mentioning the accidental discovery that skin grafts stop it spreading.  There's also some work involving topical steroid creams.

Comments

[julesjones]

I have both personal and close family experience of being actively encouraged by a doctor to research something myself on the web (with the caveat that those so encouraged were known to the doctors concerned as being people with some experience in sifting wheat from chaff in a survey of the existing literature). As one said, there is simply no way he can keep up with all the specialised literature for each and every condition even in his own field, but a patient who brings him a bundle of decent quality literature with citations can make sure he sees stuff that's relevant to their problem.

[merrymaia.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad that your persistence has paid off, and that the radiotherapist will treat you!

Best wishes, and many *hugs* to you.

[(Anonymous)]

I would be glad if HE was the right person to help you - I can remember your effort to find something that helps! Good luck!

[glitterboy1.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's good news. I know you've put an awful lot of time and effort into pursuing and researching this, and I'm glad that he's taken that seriously.

Will the treatment be local(-ish)? I remember that, a while ago, you were saying that it might involve travel.

[watervole.livejournal.com]

Yes, I can get treated in Poole - close enough to cycle when the weather is fine.

[ex-the-major316.livejournal.com]

Hurrah and indeed woot for treatment.