From Totally Bald to Hair Regrowth in One Month! (UPDATE: Six Month Regrowth Pictures)

I first noticed my hair falling out in the spring of 2009.Being a black woman who had been wearing braids off and on for many years, I thought braiding my hair too tight was the problem. I took out the braids but my hair continued falling out. I was diagnosed with Alopecia Areata a year later & given 5 weeks of Prednisone. Needless to say, that didn't help at all. As I continued losing hair I researched the different types of alopecia on the internet. When I started losing my eyebrows & eyelashes I knew I had Alopecia Universalis. I tried to decrease the stress in my life & kept praying that one day my hair would spontaneously grow back on its own. While on vacation last year I met a man with the same autoimmune disease who told me about Xeljanz. Finally! A cure!!! But the drug costs over $3000 a month and my insurance would not cover it. My cousin was familiar with the fact that there are discounts available for many expensive medications. I called Pfizer and found out they have a hardship program (Xelsource)for low income patients which allows you to receive Xeljanz ABSOLUTELY FREE!!! They will mail you two forms for you and your doctor to fill out and once it it is verified that your income is low enough and your insurance denies coverage they will Fed Ex Xeljanz directly to your home for FREE! They send you a 30 day supply (two small pills a day) each month. What has really inspired me are the photos of another AU sufferer whose hair started growing back after a month on Xeljanz. She has been on it 6 months now and recently had her first haircut in 4 years. She is sporting a cute, short hairdo. Check her out at Pikore.com the alopeciaexperience instagram. I just started Xeljanz 3 weeks ago on July 28th and hope to be posting pictures of my hair regrowth soon to share with all of you! UPDATE: Saw light blonde, spiky hairs on September 1st after one month on drug! Went to doctor this week and now have dark terminal hairs, mixed with blonde, on my scalp and eyebrow and eyelash regrowth. UPDATE: 3 months, hair getting darker and longer, eyebrows growing in on both sides, a few eyelashes on my left upper lid. See pictures below. UPDATE: 4 months, started taking Biotin and upped doseage to 3 Xeljanz a day. Tons of new growth in resistant bald patches and scalp hair is longer and darker. Eyelashes emerging from both sides. I bought my first mascara in 6 years. Waiting for a few more lashes on right side to use it. Have lots of eyebrows on both sides. Go see my doctors this week on Thursday. They will be TOTALLY shocked and amazed at my progress since last appointment in September. Keep the faith everyone. Xeljanz works!!! UPDATE: Third Doctors' Visit: My doctor's are at the Dermatoligy Clinic at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Boy were my they EXCITED about all my hair growth during the last 3 months! The last time they saw me I had tiny white spiky peach fuzz, with a few dark terminal hairs mixed in. This time I have long dark patches of hair almost an inch long, with regrowth of about 80 percent of my scalp! In between the dark patches, I have short spiky blonde regrowth in my former bald spots. That regrowth is barely visible on camera right now but the doctors saw it and ran their fingers over my entire scalp. Two sets of doctors, nurses and residents came into the room at separate times because everyone could not fit into the examining room at once. Plus I brought a friend with AU and his parents with me to meet the doctor's. Everyone was laughing, happy and amazed at my growth. Each set of doctors took pictures of my complete scalp, eyebrows and eyelashes. The doctors want the pictures for a future Grand Rounds or Dermatology Conference so they can present my case to other doctors and medical students at the University. I'm so happy that my regrowth on Xeljanz will be used to give hope to others! More details below about my friend with AU who came with me to see the Clinic and meet the doctors.

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Cindy...it's been a while since I wrote on this website but your heartfelt story needs a response. My daughter lost all her hair/eyebrows over a course of months. We made the journey to Middlebury, CT last June and started on Xeljanz in July. She now has 100% of all eyebrows/eyelashes and full regrowth on her head. Truly life changing...Dr. King is a pioneer and we are extremely lucky to have him as an advocate. While Xeljanz is not a cure...it does buy some time until another option is available. I'm so glad you had the results you did and we all appreciate your story. Warmest Regards-

Hello. This is the first time I have ever posted and it was so nice to hear from you and I am so glad your daughter is doing so well. Dr King is a pioneer and his genuine concern for each and everyone of us... Extraordinary! And you are right that this is not a cure but rather an anchor with hope for a promising future in research for all autoimmune disease. Best to you and your family..
How much is a visit to dr king. I'm sure my insurance will not cover. Thanks!
Congratulations Cindy!
Six Month Regrowth Pictures Below
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I had an insurance issue so wasn't able to go to the doctor until last week. They were SO AMAZED at my regrowth and progress since my last visit! I have no more bald spots on my scalp, full regrowth of my eyebrows and upper lashes (I wore some mascara for the doctors, lol!) and my lower lashes are finally coming in. Will post updated pictures soon.
Did you notice a difference when you went up to the 15mg/day? I'm taking 11mg/ every few days and have about 10-20% growth. Just curious if it was a noticible difference. Thanks!

Just wondering if you are still taking xeljanz and how you are doing?

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