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Permalink Reply by Rose Marie' on July 3, 2013 at 7:28pm

Hi

I'm not an advocate for steroid (prednisone) use for those dealing with alopecia. I understand the concerns and sadness that arise because of alopecia, it's a difficult condition to reconcile.

What prednisone may do is push you into a remission with your alopecia....the problem with this is that remission may stop as soon as you stop taking prednisone. If you are going to go into a natural remission yourself it may hurry along the process, but it will not cure this condition and invariably once stopped any hairgrowth will once again fall out.

My daughter has just spent the last week in hospital being pumped full of steroids to arrest another auto immune disease that she has just been diagnosed with. For her there is no choice but to use this drug, which does have some side effects that are very unpleasant. If I had a choice - which you do with alopecia I would not use steroids...the side effects that you are risking for possible hairgrowth do not balance well for me.

I would talk to your doctor about the side effects of prednisone and then work out what your needs are.

Hope this helps.

Rosy

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Permalink Reply by Rose Marie' on July 3, 2013 at 10:46pm

Thanks Wise1...we are working through it all. I'm very much with you about prednisone, if you can possibly not take it then I wouldn't. I really am hating what it is doing to my daughter, but part of me is thankful that it has helped. She is having some of the same sort of issues as you, she's a little anxious, sleepless and well just not fully her. In this case we don't have a choice it was prednisone or terrible pain and temperatures. (she may have crohn's - I will find out later on next week when all the results from the MRI etc. are worked through).

Thanks for you wee note. :)

Rosy

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Permalink Reply by Jeanine Knight Ruppel on July 3, 2013 at 7:40pm

Thanks Rosy,

Yeah I've read about the side effects so that's why I was concerned. I filled the prescription but its just been sitting on my bathroom sink. Of course I'm trying to outweigh being vain with the side effects.

Jeanine

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Permalink Reply by Rose Marie' on July 3, 2013 at 10:15pm

Hi

I definitely do not think you are vain for wanting your hair back!! I think that is so very normal want. I continue to want that result everyday for my daughter.

I guess what I am concerned about for you is that the side effects may outweigh the effectiveness of this choice. If there were no side effects and the possibility of keeping your hair when you stopped taking it was a higher percentage I would be more comfortable. But in saying that this may be something you do want to try and if you do you have my support.

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Permalink Reply by Jeanine Knight Ruppel on July 3, 2013 at 10:42pm

Thanks for the suggestions. I haven't started the meds yet because I'm getting my gall bladder removed in a couple of weeks so the surgeon did not want me on them. I guess I'm kind if desperate at this point but you guys are right, it would be better to be healthy and bald then possibly have hair and have serious side effects. I try to talk to my family about it but they just tell me what they think I want to hear.

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Permalink Reply by Rose Marie' on July 3, 2013 at 10:47pm

Hugs for you. This is never easy. I hope your surgery goes well and you are back on your feet soon. :)

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Permalink Reply by Liana m on August 7, 2013 at 1:07pm

Good Luck on your surgery but prednisone will basically only give side effects that stay long term because when the drug is stopped (typically) the new growth will fall right back out I do not reccomend prednison after personal expiercence.

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Permalink Reply by Sue on July 5, 2013 at 7:18am

Hi Jeanine,

My son was prescribed this medication as part of a treatment plan for his acne. The doctor took his eye off the ball and left him on a high dose for over a year. My son stopped abruptly which could have killed him. He was only 16yo and had never had a sexual experience. This medication ravaged his body including his genitals he lost a good part of his hair which has never returned, he would have had a striking physique however, it destroys muscle mass, particularly to the extremities (arms and legs) and places a pouch around the girth - plus it gives you acne. The list goes on and on. My beautiful boy has had golden staph and glandular fever and is always sick. I'm not sure if he can reproduce as it affects that too. Also destroys bone density - so he will be susceptible for osteoporosis and the list jest keeps on keeping on. Stay away from that medication is my advise. Unless you need it to keep you alive.
Regards Sue

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Permalink Reply by Jeanine Knight Ruppel on July 5, 2013 at 10:09am

Sue,

Thank you for sharing your story. Yeah I've already thrown it out just so I don't get tempted. Instead just going to try Rogaine and let nature take its course. I wouldn't mind wearing a wig but for a decent looking one that can suction to my scalp they are fairly expensive. I unfortunately have to spend most of my money on my son's therapy appts. So looks like I will just need to be bald and proud.

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Permalink Reply by Julie on July 12, 2013 at 10:05am

I agree with many people on here that have also said they are not an advocate of prednisone. It is only a temporary solution, and just suppresses your immune system (which can have terrible side affects) and does not get to the root of the problem. I got the steroid shots for a few months... my last time I received 75 shots in my scalp.. all it did was start regrowth for a week after, and then it would fall out again.

I lost around 85-90% of my hair and the doctor told me it would never come back. Since then, after asking advice from my boss (a naturopath and chiropractor) he told me he would help me fixing the actual supposed cause. I try to eat healthy and exercise, and I also take multiple immune support supplements (andographis plus and mycotaki mushrooms), and a supplement that helps with collagen production, and biotin. I really feel that the immune support vitamins have given me energy, mood boost, and have stopped me from getting sick... so all good things PLUS I have 75-80% of my hair back after less than a year!!! For me, strengthening my immune system, a positive attitude, trying to be healthy (physically and emotionally) has been key. Stress affects the body in so many ways, it's good to try to be mindful and find a way out of the stress! You can get prescribed natural supplements (not CVS synthetic crap ones) at any naturopath or chiropractor. I also have been getting laser light therapy treatments as well for hair growth. I know this is alternative but it's really helping! Thanks :)

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Permalink Reply by David on July 18, 2013 at 4:38pm

When people say they "eat healthy now"....do they mean they cook at home, no more crap food, drive thru, etc? Or, do they mean they have gone extreme? LIke gluten free and such. Just trying to understand. I want to go the healthy route should meds not seem to work. Thanks for any input :)

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