Just diagnosed with FFA

I have been losing hair for about a year I’m guessing. This last spring is when I noticed my sides at the temples were receded far back than I had ever noticed, can’t put the sunglasses on my head without making sure to pull some hair over back toward front. Went to dermatologist yesterday & she diagnosed me with FFA. I told her I had been using Rogaine for women since August & she said that was great. I was using the 2% minioxidil but she said 5% is better, 2% doesn’t do anything. She gave me a prescription for clobetasol to use twice a day first two weeks then once a day. Then to go back to see her & then she said she would try injections or a pill. I’m really scared as to how much hair I’m going to lose before it stops. Any input would be helpful.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Nancy79 on October 31, 2017 at 7:30am

No, I was not taking vagifem when my FFA started. Also, it is not systemic going through my body.

Permalink Reply by Nancy79 on November 11, 2017 at 3:48am

I have not noticed any change in that regard but I am not sexually active due to lack of a partner. I think the sexual side effects are more for men as they can become impotent.

Permalink Reply by Nancy79 on October 10, 2017 at 9:04pm

Not sure if you were notified of my post on Monday. I answered most of your questions except whether I take supplements.  I have taken the normal array of healthy supplement but stopped them 2 years ago. I have noticed no effect on my hair loss while taking them or not.

Permalink Reply by Lo on October 16, 2017 at 3:35pm

Wanda - did you end up going to the specialist on the 11th - and if so, how did it go? Anything promising? 

Permalink Reply by illustr8r on October 7, 2017 at 10:21pm
Hi Donna,
I’m sorry that you have this stupid disease. I’ve had hair loss for many years attributed to CKD and menopause but in reality it was this much misunderstood FFA. What works for some ladies causes others bad side effects. Some dr know more than others too and every one of them treat it differently. I’ve learned more from the ladies here than from what my dr has told me. Read past posts and feel free to reach out for a hug. :)

XXOO
Permalink Reply by Donna on October 7, 2017 at 10:58pm
Thank you so much & I’m sorry you’re going through this as well. I hope to learn from this site
Permalink Reply by Nancy79 on October 8, 2017 at 1:00am

Get on Dutasteride 0.5mg daily. It has a 50-60 % chance of arresting the disease where it is at with no side effects. Pay cash for generic dutasteride 0.5mg at Costco for $10 per month.

I got on it 5 years ago after an exhaustive search of research literature. Derms wanted to put me on the checklist of drugs that I read were found to be not effective and had terrible side effects. My GP wrote the script.

It immediately arrested my disease and the follicles that were affected have slowed the hair loss so much I don't even watch it anymore. I have told my story on this blog a few times over the years but I have only seen people mention they are using Dutasteride in the past year. As far as I am concerned this should be the drug of first choice.

Ask your doc about it. There is no time to waste.

Permalink Reply by Donna on October 8, 2017 at 1:32am
I definately will. Thank you!
Permalink Reply by Lara79 on October 8, 2017 at 5:55am
When you say it arrested your disease and the affected follicles have slowed I take it that means that it doesn’t stop you losing hair in the area where the follicles are already red and raised? I ask because the central front bit of my hairline is getting tatty and all the follicles are unhappy. I’m six weeks into my finasteride so I wonder if my hair in that area is doomed or if the finasteride can save already involved hair?
Permalink Reply by Nancy79 on October 8, 2017 at 7:34am

According to what I read these follicles will scar over eventually. Again, Dutasteride was found to be significantly more effective than finasteride. 

Permalink Reply by Lara79 on October 8, 2017 at 8:58am
Okay thank you!
Permalink Reply by Charlotte on October 8, 2017 at 4:18pm
Nancy, are there really no side effects??
i‘m 37, could this be a Treatment?
Thanks for your help

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