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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
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Permalink Reply by s on
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I tried oral steroids (prednosine) twice, each time for 6 months. To no avail.
I put on weight. no other side effects.
I tried homeopathy, acupuncture, to no avail.
I got injections in my scalp once, nothing happened.
Regaine- God forbid- it gave me facial hair and i had to do laser therapy to get rid of it (I am a woman)...
Don't know what do do next..Maybe i try stemtech.
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Permalink Reply by Alex on
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Actually, after 5 weeks of this small dose of oral steroids (+ 2 creme steroids 2 times a week) my hair stopped to fall out. Moreover, a little regrowth appeared in some places. I will probably get a higher dose of steroids this time. I'm starting to feel hope;)
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Permalink Reply by Deejay on
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That's great news Alex. Congratulations on that. I couldn't sleep for 2 months on being on Prednisone for just 2 weeks (huge doses though). I guess i should think about the sacrifices i'm willing to make to grow my hair back.
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Um not sure who i am replying to, but here is an update. I have been off of the oral steroids for about a month. I have a lot of regrowth, It is short so kind of sticks out, but actually went out without hat or wig for the first time in over a year. That is the good news. The bad news or not surprising news is I am finding lots of short hair in shower drain and in my brush. I haven't noticed any new bald spots, but must be thinning all over. My doctor did say to call her at first sign of more hair loss so we could try something else or steroids again. I didn't have many side effects last time from steroids, but don't really want to take them regularly. Sigh... i will keep the wig nearby just in case.
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Hi Rose. I am sorry you think it is thinning again. Maybe it will stabilize. I just finished 6 week taper of prednisone, but still take methotrexate once a week. You could ask your doctor about that. There are really no side effects from methotrexate but you do have to have blood tests. It might help keep your new growth.
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Hi Starshine, did your hair stop shedding after the prednisone? Have you gotten some regrowth? I have my prescription in my purse, still debating whether I should take it.
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I am just now starting to see some regrowth, but I also still have some shedding. I have diffuse AA and my hair is still very thin. I see my derm tomorrow and she will decide if I should do another month on the prednisone or just continue on the methotrexate. I really cant say yet if it is working or not, but I have not had any bad side effects so I will continue if she lets me. Relapse is a major concern which is why I am also taking methotrexate which you can be on longer than prednisone. Everyone is different though. This thing really is frustrating. How long are you supposed to take it?
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Permalink Reply by Ktownnana on
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Rose, am so happy for you that the oral steroids worked for you. Unfortunately, my body could not tolerate the side effects. I couldn't even take Prednisone long enough for it to clear up my poisen ivy back in the summer. :(
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My daughter's doc prescribed medrol (methylprednisolone) to be taken in "bursts." Supposed to take it five days in a row once a month. We did October and she had some sleeplessness, headaches and hunger by the fourth and fifth day. This month we were supposed to start on Thanksgiving and we had gone out of town for a week. I forgot to bring the pills! Got home Sunday, and she got a really bad headache -- so bad she didn't go to school for an entire week. I was afraid to give her the steroids because I didn't want to add to the headache. Headache is gone and now she's decided (finally!) to get serious about dropping a few pounds and eating healthier. I'm afraid to give her the steroids -- don't want to make her hungry again. And I really doubt it will do a dang thing. She did the steroid cream and did the pills last month -- not a bit of hair growth. Her head is almost shiny smooth. I am afraid of what the long-term effect of the drugs would be. And for those taking methotrexate -- that is what's used to end an ectopic pregnancy! Yikes. I hope someone has luck with this.
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