Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by PaulJ on August 25, 2011 at 9:56pm

A lot of people get AA bouts when they are quite sick, maybe its due to your body having a hard time dealing with the issues as opposed to the meds.

When you come off the meds do you get any regrowth ?

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Permalink Reply by Chris L on August 26, 2011 at 6:54am

Hi Paul, yes I seem to, but as you said it could also be because my body isn't suffering the stress of the back pain!!

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Permalink Reply by Tallgirl on August 25, 2011 at 11:56pm

I think any changes to a GENETICALLY susceptible alopecian's chemistry must be a trigger...including the pain itself, childhood disease, hormonal changes, medications, pet parasites, water source changes, things in the environment, emotional stress. Dr. Me is still working on this theory...

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Permalink Reply by Chris L on August 26, 2011 at 6:58am

Its amazing how we look at anything that could be a cause :-) I have gone gluten free, meat free, organic, medication free etc etc etc - I guess grasping at any possible trigger. Tallgirl I think we all become Dr Me as the medical field doesn't know much, nor are there any thorough investigations into AU/AA (as far as my experience has shown me)!!

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Permalink Reply by Chris L on August 30, 2011 at 4:48pm

Hi Lois

Sending rain as we speak!! Not that we've actually had much here!!

Healthy living, well I try to keep flexible by stretching and swimming, I work on my core muscles and eat reasonably well - have I missed anything you might recommend?

I remember my AA days when patches would appear and move around my head.

Take care and keep well!!

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Permalink Reply by Pamela Rosse on August 29, 2011 at 9:04pm

Hi Chris, I'm AU & suffer from chronic pain at C3 - C7, as a result of two accidents & a major surgery. My Neurologist has me on Oxycontin,(Sustained Release) 20 MG's, 3 times daily & Oxycodone (immediate release) 05 MG's 1 to 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours for break through pain. My pain level on scale of 1 to 10 is usually between a 4 to 5, the meds allow me to function, without them well I know you understand,I'm flat on my back & my pain is at 8 to 10.
I lost my hair 3 years ago 6 weeks after a surgery. My Dermatologist has never said she suspects my pain medication, she did consider the possibility that my hair loss could be anesthetic linked, being my total hair loss was 6 weeks after surgery, my hair began to fall out, within 3 weeks I had lost all of my hair, I went from a full head of hair with 3 quarter size patches to complete bald as a bean hair loss. Talk about mirror shock, it was scary & frightening.
I wish there was an answer. I am so sorry you are enduring such horrible pain, chronic, debilitating pain is awful, I wish it on no one. Take care my Alopecian Brother.

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Permalink Reply by Chris L on August 30, 2011 at 4:38pm

Hi Pamela

Thanks for your message and so sorry to hear of your back pain and AU, I'm due for a hospital appointment soon to diagnose the problem! I too lost all my hair over a very short period of time, I like the term mirror shock, I also had any reflective surface shock :-) I never really noticed how I saw myself throughout the day without realising - or I was a tad vain and always looked at myself :-)

I havent heard of the painkillers you are on, I have only been advised to take paracetamol & codine and ibuprofen, but hope the hospital will suggest something else. You have to take them everyday? Thankfully I dont live with severe pain everyday, but the wrong move, twist or lift and I'm down for a month at a time.

I to wish was there was an answer to our hairloss, but it seems to be just a waiting game, meanwhile accepting our new look :-)

Take care and keep smiling!!

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Permalink Reply by Pamela Rosse on August 31, 2011 at 12:10am

Thank you Chris, living in chronic pain as you well known is not fun.
I hope the hospital is able to successfully diagnose what is causing your pain & are able to make a plan to stop it.
Mirror Shock just seemed to cover everything. I use to look in the mirror & say oh good morning mannequin girl ( that was after I lost not only my hair but eyebrows & eyelashes too) the loss of my eye brows & eye lashes was worse then my hair. This medical condition we deal with is not easy.
If I may say Chris, seeing your ah natural photo, I think you quite handsome. If people would be honest, I think we are all a little vain.
The Oxy drugs have been around for awhile, they are used quite a bit for cancer patients to control their pain as well as post surgery. Sadly stupid teens have found them a great rec drug. They crush the sustained release & take a huge hit, major stupid.
Yes, sadly I have to take them everyday, but as my Neurologist said when I sat in his office in tears, at least we can make you functional again. I just wish they could come up with a non opiate pain killer. How wonderful that would be.
I went to my first NAAF Conference this year, it was wonderful & so helpful. Your so right it is a waiting game & learning to accept is a huge step.
P let me know how it goes with your appointment, I will keep you in my thoughts & prayers. I truly hope they can find the problem & resolve it.
You take care as well.

Pam

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