To cure or not to cure?

9 Comments

Comment by Kristen Ridenhour on April 16, 2008 at 11:58pm

I'm don't think i would do anything about it. i've become so used to not having any hair and accepted that i probably won't for the rest of my life. that quote from mystique pretty much sums it up, we shouldn't have to conform to look like everyone else just to fit in. i know what you mean about thinking there is something wrong w/ you if you did decide to cure it. for me it would be like throwing away everything that made me grow as a person because of my alopecia.

Comment by iAMrj on April 17, 2008 at 12:45pm

Alopecia areata has been characterized as a "medically friendly condition," but it is a health problem nonetheless, the underlying causes of which should be treated and hopefully cured rather than accepted as some kind of inevitability. However, while a cure or efficacious treatment is sought, each alopecian also needs to achieve self-acceptance (unconditional self-love) and accept the challenge and responsibility of living life to the fullest regardless of the condition. Or, as Gail Porter wisely points out in this video clip, alopecians don't have to let go of the hope of having their hair again, but neither should they rely it because they'll end up wasting their life in continual disappointment if nothing happens. In other words, the question probably shouldn't be "To cure or not to cure?," but how can alopecians continue making the most of life and love and enjoying self and others while awaiting a cure or truly effective treatment? (See also Cheryl Carvery's recent blog titled "My Cure for Alopecia" as well as this forum discussion.)

Comment by gerald on April 18, 2008 at 2:45am

If there was a cure, it would have been out on the market by now. They could make alot of cash on such a product.

To me, bald women are beautiful. If my wife (who is bald with au) could grow her hair, I would have to shave her head, just because she is so beautiful as a bald lady.

Comment by Sarah McIntosh on April 19, 2008 at 3:19pm

I understand that it is a illness none the less but it is one that is not life threatening,I guess thats where the confusion is for me.If you spend most of your life telling yourself that it's ok to look different and then someone offers a cure for your differences that you accept and no longer see as crippling to your emotional health then does it really need to be cured or can we just accept that there are people like us who look different and we're still attractive.That maybe we are the ones who force ourselves and others to build tolerance and acceptance on differences no matter what the difference is.RJ you did raise a lot of points for me to think about though,Thank You.And Gerald your comments always make me smile and feel all warm inside.

Comment by kastababy on April 19, 2008 at 9:16pm

If a cure were available then I would take it -- not so much so that I would have hair permanently, mind you, but because that means whatever is wrong with my immune system is fixed. The reality of alopecia to me is that as long as my hair falls out, I am not truly healthy -- that means quite literally my immune system is still compromised and until that compromise has been resolved I can never call myself truly healthy. Now, should a cure be available and I take it, would I still shave my head? I don't know. Probably not, because I have had periods of total regrowth, and I must confess, when I have hair I enjoy having it as much as I enjoy being bald. My alopecia does not define who I am -- it is a mere facet of my very complex and colorful personality!!!

Comment by Sarah on April 21, 2008 at 12:14am

I would deffinelty take it. I wouldnt even think twice about it. I hate having alopecia. I really hope they find something soon to cure it. I would be the happiest person ever if I could have all my hair back.

Comment by Lee on April 21, 2008 at 2:43am

I would take it in a heartbeat. This is still too new to me. However, I think they will think of a cure, when I am like 70...and by that time, Im really not gonna care. Ill get used to it eventually.

Comment by Heather Muhlbeier on April 22, 2008 at 10:27pm

I would because I don't think it is only alopecia that is the issue, I think it how you feel emotionally and physically from it. A cure would be a great thing for this disease. If my immune system is being attacked I would definitely think a cure would be a good thing. To those who are ok with having alopecia, I still think a cure is what we all need. I have had it since I was 18 years old and now am 31, only in the last 2 years did it become worse where it all fell out on my head. It is not only the hair falling out it is why it is all falling out that we need a cure for. I personally would like to have control of my own body and mind. YES TO A CURE FOR ALOPECIA AREATA AND AU, AT, AM.

Comment by Sarah McIntosh on April 23, 2008 at 12:57am

I was on a site quite a while ago and there was this guy who had a theory that perhaps our immune systems attacking our hair follicles was just the next step in evolution. When you look back in time people were a lot hairier thank most are now.Hair you serve more of a purpose then its physical appearance,it was use as protection,as we grew more civilized people have become less hairy.It was an interesting theory,I'm not saying I agree with it or that I don't,I just wonder why hair loss should be considered such a bad thing?Anyway the point of me bringing up this theory is just to see what other thoughts everyone may have.

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