Alopecia World
www.alopeciaworld.com
Oral steroids?
I have had AA for a little over a year and have had some regrowth, but even more loss. Right now I have to wear a hat in public, because I am not comfortable with people looking at my patchy balding head. I originally thought the AA was caused by celexa, a SSRI for depression and anxiety I took for 5 years. I decided to stop taking it to see if it would help. No change. I then began injections of corticosteroids from a dermatologist. 6 months later some regrowth, more falling out and now fingertip sized dents all over scalp. Apparently some of dermis atrophying, a potential side effect of injections.
So I switched doctors because of insurance and she thinks I should take oral steroids for 1 month (tapered.) I am wary of the side effects and wonder if it is worth it. I suppose it might be worth trying it for one month, and quitting if side effects are bothersome.
I ordered a wig, and have cabuki,powders, rogaine, extensions, etc. I just want my hair back. Has anyone found a solution? Do naturopaths or acupuncture help? I am willing to try anything, (well almost).
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Casey on
-
every doctor I spoke to said the side effects of the steroids werent worth the benefits (hair). Ive never tried them so I cant give advice on that!
-
Permalink Reply by Rose on
-
I am seeing a pattern here. Steroids are super rough on our bodies, and often to no avail. Wonder why they keep prescribing them?
-
-
Thank you for responding. Everything you mentioned has been on my mind. I have not started the corticosteroids yet. I decided I would try a more holistic approach first. I know hair isn't all that important when it comes down to the grand scheme of things, I think I mostly needed to rant, and express that I do miss my hair. But hey, on the bright side, there are all kinds of things I am grateful for today that are way more important. Thanks again.
-
-
Rose, your attitude is commendable. I appreciate you sharing this. I began with alopecia areata in 2009. Steroid injections worked at first, only to have patches appear elsewhere. Now I'm left with only a few whisps at the crown. I'm currently not under any treatment, except using essential oils. I sure do miss my hair, too! But as you said, we've got all kinds of other things to be grateful for.
-
Permalink Reply by Becca74 on
-
I too have been taking the injections every 4-6 wks since Dec. 2011. They have left me with the dents as well and I have finally decided to stop them because after my last set I had more fall out :( I took some orals for about a month had stomach issues, weight gain and no increase in regrowth. I do use topical and that seems to be helping me a little but then I wonder on that to as it seems I start to see regrowth in some areas but that same hair falls again. I wish they could find something that would turn this off!!
-
-
Me too! I am putting the steroids on hold for a bit, just kind of worried it isn't worth it.
But I am not giving up. I just ordered a sample of this stuff called Caboki. It is a weird minerally, powdery, fibery substance you cover your bald and/or thinning spots with. It is kind of silly, by kind of works-not totally, but at least i can go to store without a hat on. I also ordered a wig/top piece. It is a half wig and is 100% human hair. I bought it for $250, better than a $600+ for a full human hair wig. (I haven't recieved it yet.) I also had a friend put some extensions in what is left of my hair to add more volume. I was down to a ponytail the size of a pencil. Lastly, my friend a hairdresser told me to order this stuff called "Vivascal". It is some norwiegan natural vitamin that is supposed to help hair grow back. I have been taking Biotin too. We'll see! What are you doing besides topical?
-
-
My wig place sells those- they call them postiches i think. Anyway, Ive seen women there wearing them and they look AMAZING. cant even tell! I hope you like yours!
I did the topical cream and injections with no luck. Now im on Anthralin, but its been 10 weeks and any growth has been pretty minimal. next time trying DCP
-
-
The doctor put my daughter on oral steroids. He pulled out some study that said doing it on weekends only (6mg) worked with 60% of patients. Well, we did three weekends, and it made her so hungry all the time we had to stop. The last weekend she did Saturday and then couldn't stop eating Sunday (she's almost 12). It's like filling a hole that is always empty. And it made her heart race too, which was scary for her. We decided that having hair but gaining 100 pounds wasn't worth it. Not sure what to try next.
-
Permalink Reply by Dawn on
-
I have had diffuse AA for years now and it has had me in a wig for the last 2 years. I FINALLY decided to give oral steroids a try after years of injections, anthralin and DPCP; all with no luck. The anthralin and DPCP were so uncomfortable (the anthralin even more so) and I just came to the realization that even if my hair did grow back, I have alopecia and it is going to fall out again. So if I have growth from them and no longer have to wear a wig, that means that when my hair decides to fall out the next time, I wouldn't be wearing a wig and my itchy and scaly scalp would be noticable to everynoe.
I started oral steroids in the spring and did an 8 week course, starting with 40mg's and tapering off 5mg each week. I was told growth should happen in 4-6 weeks. By week 7, I had minimal growth. Then come week 8, I was spouting hair everywhere and it is still growing in September. I had lots of hair on the back of my head, but the top and sides were almost completely bald. I now have almost a full head of hair, but it is still very patchy so I can't go wigless. One thing I should add is that I continued to get injections while I was on the oral steroids (I did injections once a month) and I was told that was what really helped make a difference.
I was lucky and really didn't have side effects either and thank god because I hear they are nasty. I did however have the hunger side effect. I was always hungry from week 2-6 and I found even a bigger meal wouldn't fill me. However as my dose tapered, I found my hunger lessoned and I lost some of the weight I put on. When I was done the treatment, it was a total of 3-5 pounds I gained...well worth it! I now have my sideburns back and my wig looks way more natural as a result as I have some of my own hair to blend into the hairline.
Note: my doctor mentioned that oral steroids are most successful when your hair is actively falling out.
Hope this helps!
-
-
Dawn, I have DAA also. Did your doctor give you injections all over your head when you were on prednisone. I have only had it a year and still have hair all over although very thin. This sounds promising but I dont know if my doctor will do both. do you still get the injections.
-
-
Yes, my doctor injected them all over my head while on prednisone, less at the back as I had some hair there.
Mine started like yours but took forever to get a proper diagnosis since it mimics telogen effluvium and female pattern baldness. You're lucky you received that diagnosis already. I know the side effects can be bad but your doctor can taper you off the steroids faster if need be. Worth a try. Better to try and stop it now. Also, not sure if you're like me but birth control always seemed to trigger it (apparently that is rare) so be careful of that!
-
-
Also, be sure to share my dosage with your doctor. Started my 8 week course at 40mg (8 pills a day) and tapered off one pill each week. I went to a specialist at Sunnybrook (Dr Donovan) who specializes in just hair loss so he knows his stuff. He might sound aggressive to some docs but I think you have to be a bit aggressive with alopecia.
© 2024 Created by Alopecia World.
Powered by
