Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Robert on October 22, 2009 at 4:56am

Hi Steve

I haven't had the shots (yet) but reading people's experiences on here with them leads me to believe that the dents are, as you say, a normal response to them but I've never heard of the treatment being discontinuted because of them. I thought that the dents went away after a bit of time.

Is it worth asking the advice of the private derm?

I'm hoping to be starting the shots when I see the NHS dermatologist in a few weeks time. My local hospital don't do them so I've been referred to a specialist based at another hospital.

I can only imagine your frustration after seeing an improvement with the shots, only to be told that you wouldn't be getting any more.

Robert

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Permalink Reply by Sharan on October 22, 2009 at 6:49am

Hi there Steve
My ali-p was always too severe for having this treatment and im pretty glad about that. I would have rubbed a cow pat on my head if someone said it would work! so in that desperation I would have accepted the injections. That was 20 years ago. The skin on the scalp is very delicate and doesnt cope very well with continued intrusion from needles. Atrophy being damage thats irreversible.
I have friend who received injections over 4 years ago and her head is still pitted when the injection sites are. This has lead to her covering up with a wig all the time and feeling that she cant show her 'scars'. I stopped wearing wigs 5 years ago and would have never had the confidence if i didnt have the smooth scalp I have.
The success of this treatment is very imediate and can stimulate growth enough to fill in small patches but what i have found is that these people are more than likely to experience recurrent episodes of alopecia further along in life.
All I can say is be kind to yourself. Do what you like and like what you do,

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Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Alexander Reyes on October 22, 2009 at 6:01pm

Hey Steve,

I've been getting the shots in both my head and hip for 4-5 years now. The hip injections are a higher dose and seem to me to work better. My bald patches were too big to get a million injections in my head, so my dermatologist gives me hip injections as well. I really like them. They definitely helped stimulate growth. If you're not already doing those, try asking about them. That way it gives your head a rest.

Jeff

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Permalink Reply by Georgie on October 23, 2009 at 12:14am

Dents are normal. When hair grows in, the dent is lifted back up. I've had lots of shots and dents to go with the bald patches. I've been dealing with AA for over 2 years now. Babies have lots of dents on their head too, until they start to get hair. The hair roots seem to smooth out the skin on our scalp. Without hair there is a dent. Don't worry!!

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Permalink Reply by Steve on October 23, 2009 at 4:09am

thanks guys, still not too sure which way to go on it, but this is all really usefull feedback

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Permalink Reply by mischa on October 23, 2009 at 6:01am

hi steve,
i have sent my reply, unfortunately it wasnt posted here.
ok, il have to write it again.
i had 2 shots of corticosteriod last year (November and december) since then i have not seen or recieved any treatment from any doctors as my doctor who administeresd the shot advised me to be patient as the hair will regrow slowly even takes years for them to come back again. so i did.

i had actually large patch at the back of my head, which has been there for about 3 and half years.
a patch 2 iches wide at the center which also appeared the same time.
and 2 patches both 3 inches wide on the side of my forehead which appeared just last year, if i rememebr it ws on May.it was then i decided to seek medical help.

i had only seek medical treament last year Novemember as it is getting worse and patches are getting bigger.
i had an extensive regrowth after 2 shots and then i stopped. it has been already a year since the treatment. and i am very happy with the result. i had my hair back completety at the center of my head. the 2 patches have hairs now, though not completely but enough to cover the patches. i am still hoping that the large patch at the back of my head will be gone and there are hairs coming bcak, il just have to wait and be patient and relax, take vitamins and eat healthy foods.

my dctor said that my aa is caused by stress because i had done laboratories to find out the causes of my aa, and found negative with all the labs...thanks

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Permalink Reply by Amy on October 23, 2009 at 11:01pm

I got kenalog shots for 20 years on/off. Higher doses can lead to dents (and faster regrowth). Most derms will not inject a dent. They wait for it to level out so it doesnt become permnament. I have never had a perm dent. Then again, I dont insist they inject the dents, they just give that spot a rest for that month. If its All dents, your dosage is too high.

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Permalink Reply by MiNAH on October 23, 2009 at 11:12pm

YES...HEAPS...BUMPS LIKE HILL SIDES.
I JUST ACCEPTED IT & MY DOCTOR SAID IT WAS NORMAL FOR SOME TO GET THAT.
IT WENT AWAY VERY SOON AFTER.
ALTHOUGH i BECAME VERY ILL SOME TIME LATER, BIT BY BIT.
I BECAME WEAK, FATIGUED,& PAIN ALL OVER.
Eventually, I ended up with CFS, FIBROMYALGIA.
Who's to say what theories there are.....IMMUNE ILLNESS SHOWS IT'S UGLY FACE IN MANY WAYS!
All I know is, that while I took the Cortisone Steroids, I was still running Marathons/Long Distance.
Lifting Weights, Diving & Swimming.
After the Injections...my health Declined.
Just keep in mind though for me"I have a history of 99% Allergies & Sensitivities to Environment, Foods etc.
Asthmatic, Eczema, Sjogrens.
We all have some Immune Issues to contend with...one way or another.
SO DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE BIG BUMPS..THEY ARE NOT PERMANENT.
I WOULD BE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT MY STRENGTH AFTER TAKING THEM?
I had Alopecia Totalis & after the Injections I got "PIGMENTED WHITE COARSE FLUFFY SPARSE HAIR, BALD & FRUMPY!
Check out my videos"totally bald"MAD MAX BEYOND THUNDEDOME"With Tina Turner & Mel Gibson.I was in my 20s!
After that my hair grew back some, like male patterned Bladness.Yet I became bed ridden after that..after the injections.
Also there is a video of my Daughters & Me, when I had my Frumpy Blad Top Head!
Now...I just go Blad & shave the mess off.......
Don't worry about the bumps..they will go & you can continue taking the injections, unless you are worried about the fatigue reaction.
Everyone is different..so you be the judge!

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Permalink Reply by Margeaux on October 24, 2009 at 12:24pm

The way my dermatologist described these dents was that they were temporary and should fill in. Mine did.

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Permalink Reply by BaldGirlsDoLunch.org on October 24, 2009 at 10:38pm

Years ago, I had a trial course of injections to the one hairless eyebrow (at that time) with the forewarning from my dermatologist that we would discontinue the experiment if there was no success after 2 tries a month apart. His experience was that the brow area is especially susceptible to dents that will not fill in. So we stopped.

I believe that often you get different opinions based on the breadth of experience your dermatologist has in seeing a similar patients. Beware of the doctor who has little hands on experience with cases similar to yours and who may want to please you by doing something you're asking for.

It's epidemic in US health care today, particularly in private practices, that patients are asking for treatments and doctors are all to willing to provide it against their better judgment. It may seem benign on an individual basis, but the system wide overuse of medical services and the administration of procedures and medications that are not needed are far from benign - antibiotics for colds being one of the more blatant examples.


Thea
baldgirlsdolunch.org

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