Help! Scalp injections, and side effects?

I've been getting scalp and eyebrow injections since last January, about every 3 weeks. Recently, I've been having really irregular periods - about every 2 weeks for the last month and a half, plus one irregular one in the summer. My dermatologist had told me before that these shots could interfere with menstruation, especially if someone gets shots for a long amount of time like myself. 

Obviously, I will have to speak with my doctors about this, but given that the holiday season just ended, no one is in their office so I am worried! It could be that I have been very anxious and nervous these last two months, due to exams and school stress but never ever before have I had MULTIPLE periods in a month - whenever I am in extreme stress, I tend to miss periods all together.

In Spring 2013, I had done various thyroid, hormone, gyn and even neuro tests, which all came back negative (for example, at least in the spring, I was not PCOS at all, which is apparently something that causes irregular periods too, and my thyroid levels were fine). Things could have changed between Spring 2013 and now, but I won't know until I go get checked out again.

Thanks in advance if you have any insights! I don't know if I am experiencing something relatively "normal" or if this might be caused by a whole multitude of other reasons.

Epsita

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Permalink Reply by Epo on January 4, 2014 at 7:00pm

Thank you for your reply! Yknow, even with this menstrual issue that may or may not be connected to the shots (though I am gearing towards yes, it is connected), the shots have worked out quite well for me. They used to be painful, but I feel mostly desensitized to them thankfully. The real hard spots for injections are my eyebrows (which I don't need to get shots for anymore since they have grown back fully), and the nape of my neck - very sensitive but I feel like this is just what I have to do for hair growth. Other than a few stubborn patches that are very very slowly growing hair (which I assume means the shots or SOMETHING is working?), most of my patches are covered up with either my normal black hairs, or very light thin hairs that haven't grown enough to have a darker color. 

My dermatologist is a big supporter of aggressive handling of alopecia, because she believes the earlier and more aggressive you are when you first see that lone patch, the better your body will be at regrowing hair. Obviously this is something not all doctors will agree with, and maybe it is too aggressive, but like others on this thread have said for themselves, I want my hair to grow back so I will do all the things I can and be as aggressive as I can be to give my body the best shot at filling my patches up with hair.

Best wishes, and take care as well!

Permalink Reply by Colleen on January 4, 2014 at 3:00pm

Hey there,

I started the shots when I was a teenager.  As I write this message, I remembered that I had extremely heavy periods during that time.  I never connected it to the shots, but it's a possibility.  I also had brusing lots of bruising on my legs during that time.  It was so bad, in fact, that one of my teachers reported me to the nurse because he was worried about me.....he didn't know about my alopecia.  I remember the nurse telling me I could have lymphoma....imagine a sophmore in high school being told she can possibly have lymphoma...scary stuff for me back then.  Anyway, I had the shots twice a month for about a year and they would work on one patch, but another patch would alway appear. When I moved, I didn't find a dermatologist right away and the patches became bigger and bigger.  By the time I went to a dermo, he told me I couldn't receive the shots because the area was too big, so he gave me a topical instead.  The first time I used this topical..it was ok...i broke out in a small rash which was supposed to "trick" the immune system into attacking it instead of the hair folicle.  The next time I went the dermo didn't feel he used a high enough dosage, so he increased it, and just about burnt my scalp!  I was in pain for days and when I went back to the dermo he said he would try a different dosage.  NO WAY!  Instead he suggested I expose my scalp to ultra violet rays.  That was the last time I went to a dermo for my alopecia.  I opted for wigs instead.  Just like everybody says.....each person has their own process.  I wore wigs for about 10 years and finally switched to scarfs.  The scarfs are way more comfortable and less expensive and I'm happier.  Good luck with your process and know that there are many people out there willing to listen to you and your story and to share their own.

Permalink Reply by Epo on January 4, 2014 at 7:04pm

Thank you so much for your reply! And you're right - I think the best thing that keeps me strong is hearing other peoples stories, and people hearing my story. 

My dermatolgist was thinking of the ultra violet rays for me a few months ago when my alopecia was at its worst with no signs of regrowth (early April-July), but of all the things I was willing to try (like prednisone, prednisolone pulse therapy, scalp creams, etc), I said no to that because the cancer fears were too much. I'm still willing to try other therapies in conjunction with the scalp shots, but hair growth isn't worth it for me if it comes with a higher rate of cancer :(

Good luck to you too, and take care!

Permalink Reply by Stella on January 6, 2014 at 9:38pm

I had shots when I first got alopecia and went back after 30 days and the doctor told me they were still falling out and still coming in.  I decided right then to stop the shots as the shots were causing as much stress as whatever caused the alopecia to begin with.  I wear wigs all the time and had my eyebrows tattooed but they need to be done again.  Instead of spending $500 to get my eyebrows tattooed, I am using Beauti-Full Brows and for the price, and durability, they can't be beat!  I used to buy wigs in the $250 range but have since found cute styles from Paula Young and very few people can tell I'm wearing a wig for 10-15% of the original wigs!  I'm just not going to subject my body to more chemicals than I need medically!  I've had alopecia since 1991 and I feel fortunate that I don't have the hair I'd like but I also did not get this hair from chemo.  In all fairness, I got this when I was 50 and I'm 72 now. If I were your age, I might feel differently!  

 

Permalink Reply by Anisha on January 7, 2014 at 4:26pm

Highly unlikely the injections are related. The injections reside just under your skin and only trace amounts are absorbed in your system. It would take ALOT to affect you systemically. I've been getting monthly steroid injections for 6 years, and I've never had any unpleasant side effects. Now oral steroids are a different story. They definately will mess with your menstrual cycle, but steroid injections are relatively safe. I'm pretty sure your doctor will tell you the same thing.

Permalink Reply by Anisha on January 9, 2014 at 3:51pm

Most dermatologists - including all 4 of mine - have no issues with administering steroid injections to the scalp indefinately. They may limit the amount they administer at a time and the frequency of those injections (too much at once or too often can have negative consequences). If you're concerned about heatlh and side effects, perhaps you can try spacing them out a bit, such as every 4-6 weeks instead of every 3 weeks. That might help.

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