Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mandy on May 15, 2008 at 3:59pm

Thanks, Linsey. It's good to hear some positive feedback regarding the steroid shots. Here's a new questions though...what if I don't see any regrowth? Should I still continue with the steroid injection treatment? I think it might still be too early for me to tell...I know the doc said he'd be able to tell how it's working at my next appt (the 23rd)...but as of now, I'm not seeing any action.

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Permalink Reply by Mandy on May 20, 2008 at 11:39am

Thanks so much for your feedback!

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Permalink Reply by Trina on May 15, 2008 at 4:28pm

Mandy,

I think it is totally up to you. I got the injections for 2 years and they were fine after a while. I started with prednisone so as long as I tooks the meds I was fine, when I went down the hair came out. I have had AU for over 10 years and it is an adjustment period. The side effects of nothing could ne total hair loss. Are you ready to deal with that? The injections do take time but it could grow again. The injections gave me mild side effects but in the end did work. Do what you are most comfortable with.

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Permalink Reply by Mandy on May 15, 2008 at 4:48pm

Thanks, Trina. Sounds like I should keep trying the injections and hope for regrowth. I'm lucky that at this time, I can still pull my hair back into a pony and cover the spots. But I think that if that changes, it will be a different story.

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Permalink Reply by Mandy on May 15, 2008 at 8:22pm

Actually, yes, that is helpful. Thanks. ;) I will just have to go with the flow and go with my gut.

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Permalink Reply by Orbit on May 15, 2008 at 8:41pm

Hi there, I think I was AU until I was 2 then at 8 I had spots, total and hairloss. For some strange reason it grew back about 90%, then of course the AA started again. During that period of losing (I was a young teenager then and willing to try anything) I tried the scalp injections and they did nothing for me at all. I eventually ended becaming AU (as I am presently and really don't mind at all).

Although the injections didn't work for me I was willing to give it a try. Everyone reacts differently. Recently I shared my AU status with a fellow master gardener and she was surprised to hear it and told me she had AA a few years back. She got the scalp injections and they worked great, she experienced full regrowth and has had no hair loss at in the past 4 years. I also just switched family physicians and my new doctor told me that while in med school he got AA, he tried the scalp injections and they worked for him too!!! He asked if I wanted to give it another try and I declined, I really couldn't care less now.

Go with your gut, there is no right answer, you'll do the right thing, trust yourself :-)

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Permalink Reply by kastababy on May 16, 2008 at 7:22pm

Mandy,

It is very true -- because of the unpredictability of alopecia, it is just as likely that your hair will grow back without medical assistance as it will if you do seek medical treatment. The question is what do YOU want to do? I have spent almost 30 years seeking the latest research, the latest treatments, and subjected my body to more steroid injections, applications, and inhalations more than anyone should ever have to go through, and I am still sitting here bald as an egg, wondering WHY exactly I am putting myself through this for the same results. So I made my decision long ago to screw all the treatments and be myself, and love myself for who I am and not what someone expects me to look like. I've been a lot happier as a result of that.

I can't tell you what to do or not do, because everyone's AA journey is different. I can only advise you to do what you feel is in your best interests. And if you do that every single time, you will be a lot more at peace with yourself, and you will feel a whole lot better. Trust me.

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Permalink Reply by Jill on May 16, 2008 at 8:29pm

I totally agree with kastababy. Everyone's experience is different and it's all about being comfortable with who you are.

I was diagnosed with AA as a teen and thankfully my dermatologist encouraged me NOT to receive treatments. The side effects never seemed worth it to me. I've been through countless cycles of loss/regrowth since then. Now I have AU and am still confident it will grow back naturally and when it is ready.

Peace in your decision.

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Permalink Reply by jennifer on May 16, 2008 at 8:23pm

Hi Mandy,

If I were you, I would try EVERYTHING to keep the hair you have/regrow the hair you have lost. I started out with spots on my head and didn't do a thing. I now am totally bald and do not have a single strand of hair on my body. Looking back, I wish I would have at least tried treatments. Who knows if the treatments would have changed the course of my disease, but it could have? Always weigh the risks and be very aware of all side effects, then make your decision. I wish you well. Jenn

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Permalink Reply by Cindy and Samantha on May 19, 2008 at 2:50pm

Hi Mandy,

My 6 year old daughter has had AA for a year now..Currently, she has total hair loss and has tried creams with no success. She is currently doing SADBE which is an irritant. The idea is to produce and allergic response in the form of a rash. The idea is to wake up her hair follicles by confusing her immune system. There is a high success rate. We are in the early stages so I have no comments on how it will work for her yet.

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Permalink Reply by Donna DeHoog on September 18, 2009 at 10:50am

Hi Mandy. I have had three rounds of those injections with no luck. I am starting to feel it is a waste of time and money. My head hurts for at least 1month after those shots and stays red for even longer than that. I am trying a product called nioxin now. I will let you know if it helps. Good luck and take care :)

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