Alopecia World
www.alopeciaworld.com
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
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Paulina on
-
that is a side effect- the irregular periods. It messes with your hormones. I had that happen when I did treatments when iwas in high school- going on the pill helped regulate them. but coritzone is really bad for your health, it messes up your adrenals and I really believe it worsened my health. I would recommend not doing them. I did the shots for years and it would come back and fall out again, over and over. it doesn't cure the root of the disease.
-
Permalink Reply by Epo on
-
Yeah, the shots have been hit or miss for me. Some of my patches have completely filled in, but i have four huge ones that are as bare as they were last winter. I've had minor issues like sometimes insomnia, sometimes headaches, but I chalked it up to my stress rather than the shots/other medications. But since streamlining my treatments to just supplements, scalp shots, and a healthy diet this Fall, I can only assume that the shots (or a suddenly appearing different health issue other than alopecia) is causing my recent irregular periods.
Thanks Pauline and Jill for your insights!!
-
Permalink Reply by Susan on
-
I understand what you are saying Jill in that you say 'so what'. I do want to reply to Epsita to let her know that I feel for her. It is different for everyone I know. When I was losing my hair I went ahead and shaved it all off and did not wear a wig, scarf, or anything. I just did not care. I would be more afraid of the side effects of the injections than anyting else. You take care.
-
Permalink Reply by fijifrangipani on
-
totally agree.. 30 years later the only thing I would ever change in my whole life would be my decision to undergo steroid injections.. it caused more problems with no benefits.. I am now completely bald and now have been for most of my life.
-
Permalink Reply by Connor013 on
-
Honesrl when I had them I though it was either you were the lucky one and would grow hair or they do absolutely nothing. Hit or miss to me really.
-
-
I have read alot of horror stories about the shots on this site. My son has had the shots with no side effects. The dermatologist will only do them at 8 week intervals with a controlled dosage of Kenalog. I wonder if every three weeks is too much? Best to consult with your doctor for sound advice.....
-
-
Yknow, I find every 3 weeks a lot, but my dermatologist recommended it to me, saying that an aggressive fast approach would be best for filling in my patches. Maybe it has worked for some of my patches, but I do have a fair number of bare patches that just keep growing. I would think every 3 weeks would totally wreck havoc on one's body.
Thanks for your reply, Pam! :-)
-
-
Jill, I'm 25 now, and my alopecia started last January, after I'd turned 24. So I've been getting shots for a good year now... I think its the steroids too, but sometimes I wonder if I am going to have to suffer with the side effects, be permanent effects, just to maybe grow my hair back.
Thanks for your response! It's reassuring that you, and others, have similar stories to share. It's a small comfort to hear others tales about their alopecia :-)
-
-
I just started my injections two months ago and just suffered three periods in one month. I don't know if they are related but I have never had those issues before.
-
-
My hair always grew back with the injections, but eventually fell out again. When my "spots" became too large and began running into each other, I went to a specialist at the University of WA. I was told that the pattern of baldness usually lent to complete baldness. Sure enough a few years later it happened. I stopped all treatments and accepted it and felt so much better physically and emotionally. There are days where I mourn the loss, but overall, I am much happier and healthier!
-
-
I did the injections too, plus I joined in a trial being done by my dermatologist at the time where I took large doses of systemic steroids (pills) and kept at it until I was showing major side effects. In a word, DON'T! When I stopped, all of my hair fell out again and I have had AU for 40 years now. The BEST thing you can do for yourself is to stop seeing yourself as less of a person because you don't have hair. It's hard, I know, but it can be done. Good luck!
© 2024 Created by Alopecia World.
Powered by
