I was diagnosed, with Alopecia Areata, a couple of weeks ago. I saw a dermatologist who prescribed steroid cream, followed by injections if necessary. I then saw my primary physician who recommended the same course of action. I, however, don't want treatment. I can't quite explain why, but it doesn't feel like the right decision.

My primary has Alopecia patients who experience regrowth from treatment and who get steroid injections for each new/reoccurring bald spot. I don't feel that reoccurring steroid use, that doesn't treat the cause, is something I want to participate in. I normally don't go against my physician's opinion, but it feel like I'm being pressed into treatment.

I hope that some of you may have refused treatment. If so, I would appreciate you sharing your decision and experience with me.

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i agree with you

Well, I was diagnosed at the age of five, so shots still sounded scary to me, so I learned to love myself with out hair so never really round it something that would be of any help to me.

my friend have alopecia she dun the skin test.the doctor dont give anything to her.

she very stresful and angry with her self.

I had a short bout with alopecia  about 3 1/2 years ago . I was becoming manically depressed as my bald spot appeared to be getting larger . I seen my Dr. which ran lots of blood tests that all came back normal . At that point I was diagnosed with alopecia . My Dr. went ahead and offered the injections and recieved them that day. I started to see regrowth with in a few weeks. After about 5 months my hair had fully regrown and I have not had another bout since .  I still have night mares  about loosing my hair. I chose to use the treatment because I knew that by taking them wasn't going to make my situation any worse. I am still aware that it can happen again at any time . I was very stressed out at the time and try not to let things get to me , good luck 

what its call thi injections??? you can use for people start to lose hair from the front????

Do what you are comfortable with.  I didn't get treatment at the time I started developing alopecia over 25 years ago, and if I had it to do all over again, I don't think I would now, either.  I don't like alopecia, but steroids frighten me. 

I have had alopecia areata for over 25 years.  At the time I did not get treatment, and if I had it to do all over again, I would not get treatment.  I don't like the fact that I wear wigs, but for me, the idea of injecting steroids in my body -- well, no.  The side effects can be horrific. 

Do what is comfortable for you.  If you refuse now, and you change your mind, you have that option.

Hey dear! I refused treatment after getting it and it actually got worse. I did steroid injections and in some spots, developed dents where injections were. It's very tempting to ask for extra shots, which is what I did and maybe that's the reason I saw more hair loss and the dents developed. Either way, some insurances count it as cosmetological so it's not always covered. But I don't regret discontinuing. Someone suggested there's ayurvedic methods to regrow hair but that didn't interest me. I'm otherwise healthy and am comfortable with that. Hope this helps some!

The choice is most certainly yours. I started losing my hair a little over five years ago and have sported a series of wigs, weaves and cropped do's all culminating in me shaving my head bald this past summer. The heat reached a whopping 100 degrees and I just could not take it anymore.

First, I must say that I am so heartened to be on this site. A friend recommended it and I am so happy to have found you all. All of the stories have made a huge impression on my heart and helped me realize something about this process I had not had the chance to experience, grief. I lost a significant amount of my hair as the school year started. As a creative arts therapist in a Brooklyn, NY high school I had only about 24 hours to grieve and even less time to figure out how to walk into a classroom with my own head held high. Students will humble you and these remarkable youth did just that, not one made a fuss or issue of it, helping me realize how catty my own high school experience had truly been. My students helped me face myself in the mirror head on and I have not looked back since.

I have opted out of treatment because it hurt me and I am painfully fearful of needles. I also maintain a very healthy eating lifestyle and refuse medications as well. I have grown saavy about head gear and ensure I am always warm and with scarf or hat in tow. Each of us has a gift in our story just as we have a gift in the telling of that story. Our hair, head and head story is our unique gift and I hope for every on here that you find the beauty in your story.

Hi!

I found my first spot in January and after doing some research (and although the GP referred me to one) I decided against a dermatologist and opted for more natural therapies. I have been taking Chinese herbal supplements and today I went to visit a Trichologist - they specialize in male and female hair loss and Alopecia. I have been asked to take more blood tests - this time to look at specific things that the GP didn't test for. The trichologist told me that that they would not recommend any treatments that are not natural. They go with the thought that you need to heal your body from the inside out - in a natural way...which is just what I was looking for.

In the end, it's your choice and you need to go with what best suits you. Don't give in to pressure, especially when you're the one suffering.

Hope this was helpful! All the best! 

Hi Erica,

No worries, I'll keep you posted!

Injections ended up working very well for me. Also, most GP won't do a thyroid test for triggers first. A good derm will. Sometimes it't not realistic $ wise to go to a specialist, but once I got my thyroid stuff fixed and alopecia stuff fixed, I feel like I'm in a better spot than before.

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