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Permalink Reply by kastababy on July 12, 2010 at 7:18am

What I can tell you about the connection between lupus and alopecia is that alopecia tends to run in families with a history of lupus within them. Since they are both autoimmune disorders, that connection is not surprising. This link I discovered years ago when I was researching alopecia myself. Since then, 8 genes have been identified that contribute to the progression of alopecia; the identification of said markers is the biggest breakthrough in alopecia research in nearly 30 years. I have to question though: Do you have lupus, or has anyone in your family been diagnosed with lupus? Typically, nobody asks this specific question unless it is affecting them in some way.

The reality of alopecia is this: It is an unpredictable, frustrating disorder that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster unlike anything you have ever experienced. While I commend your dermatologist for having such a positive outlook, I would have to say that to expect your hair to grow back in a few months (without treatment) is simply not realistic; without knowing the exact mechanism of alopecia or how your body will react, it is impossible to predict when -- or if-- your hair will grow back.

I encourage you to visit the National Alopecia Areata Foundation website to get more information about alopecia and how it affects us all. I also urge you to join a support group in your area to get support from other alopecians as well as additional information. If you are also affected by lupus, I also strongly urge you to join the Alopecia Areata Registry. The more knowledge we have about alopecia and how it affects us, the closer we are to a cure.

I hope this helps. Have a great day, and remember -- you are not alone!!!

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Permalink Reply by Michelle on July 12, 2010 at 9:57am

Thanks it does. as far as the Alopecia and Lupus goes. No one in my family has/had it. We are a very close and when i was diagnosed my family was all shocked, they never even heard about it. i must say I'm OK with it. i love my bald head. i would have loved to be part of the alopecia areata registry but I'm in South-Africa,and as for support groups, i have not found a single one, i tried to start one but had no luck. i know of 18 other people with it. 16 are on this website and the other tow i found accidentally . For the Dr. i have not found one that knew what i was talking about. And the Dr. I'm seeing now at first didn't ether. So it is frustrating to get more info.

but thank you once again

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Permalink Reply by kastababy on July 12, 2010 at 12:37pm

What better way to get support from other alopecians in South Africa than to start a support group?? If the 18 of you are close to each other geographically then perhaps that would be an option. Remember there is strength in numbers!!

I encourage everyone with alopecia seeking medical treatment to be an empowered patient -- as long as I can remember, from my childhood on, I have always done my homework -- I have researched for countless hours on the latest treatments and the latest research; believe me, this helps tremendously when engaging in dialogue with my dermatologist -- and I am not afraid of the M.D. behind a doctor's name either. If you feel that your doctor is neither sympathetic or willing to explore treatment options with you, or you have a doctor that only wants to issue a prognosis and be done with it, then by all means find another doctor. Living with alopecia requires a total mind-body-spirit approach; having a good relationship with your doctor is key to that as well.

Please by all means feel free to look at my profile page or inbox me with any other questions!!

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Permalink Reply by Brenda on July 13, 2010 at 7:43pm

Hi, I developed AU at the beginning of this year. When I was told it was an auto immune disorder I immediately asked if there was a connection with lupus because my mother and my mother's mother both had lupus. I tested negative for it but no one has been able to tell me if there is a possibility of a connection.

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Permalink Reply by me on July 20, 2010 at 10:10pm

yes i know there is a connection between lupus and alopecia. i got tested for lupus, but thankfully it came back negative. jst go to your doctor and get tested to make sure you don't have lupus.

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