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Laser Treatment Update
My insurance company would not authorize treatment for Lichen Planopilaris with the X-Trak Laser. I looked into self-pay, at a derm. office where they had this laser and learned that each treatment would cost only $15.00. Encouraged, I made an appointment to have the first treatment. When I got there, the technician told me she had never used the laser on a patient's scalp before and she asked a doc. there at the clinic to come in and explain to us both how she should proceed. I had never met this doctor before, and he makes the 7th derm I've seen since being diagnosed 2 and a half years ago. The doctor examined my scalp which is really inflamed and sore on the top and both sides. He said he saw follicular plugging in the back, as well, which means the disease is spreading. So it would be quite a large area to treat. He said the laser could treat a portion of skin only about the size of a quarter. I would need to receive 3 treatments per week for 6-8 weeks before we would even know if it were having any effect. If it did work, I would have one quarter-sized spot on my scalp that no longer itched, burned, killed my hair follicles, and turned into zombie scar tissue. Yaay! Then we could move on to the next quarter-sized spot. Oh, and also, I would have to shave my scalp because hair causes refraction of the light, and makes the laser ineffective. All of this for treatment of symptoms, of course, not "cure" or even abatement of the alopecia.
I chose not to proceed. I'm disappointed but trying to stay positive. Let me know if any of you have looked into laser treatment and have had a different outcome. Peace and courage to all of you!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jen S. on
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I think the most frustrating part of this disease can be our continuing hope for relief followed by disappointment. I know hope is a good thing but. . . Hang in there Jane! We'll all keep hoping and perhaps we'll all figure it out together ;-)
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Permalink Reply by TrayG on
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Oh Geez Jane, I'm so sorry to hear about your appointment, how disappointing! I was hoping for good news for you. Try not to be too discouraged, I know it's hard. Thanks for the update and enjoy the rest of your day.
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Permalink Reply by sallylwess on
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I'm sorry for you disappointment. FFA is truly frustrating. I think part of the frustration comes from never knowing when it will strike again and how much hair we will eventually end up losing. I pray that all of us just support each other with understanding because there is not a lot of folks out there that even understand our condition. Take care.
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Permalink Reply by Classical Anne in NC mountains on
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Thank you, Jane, for so carefully describing the laser process. I think you were right to say no, but I'm sorry for the frustration I'm sure it caused you. We will simply continue supporting one another in any way we can, and hope for the best in the future. It probably is easier on the psyche just to remind ourselves there is no cure -- only money, frustration, and dangerous drugs and treatments. I continue with the scalp injections, knowing that all it can do is to slow the process, not stop it, let alone reverse it. This is one of the stages of grief [and we're all grieving the loss of our hair] -- when all is said and done, tried and rejected, we just have to accept it. Hopefully that will leave us free to enjoy all the good things in our lives. I join you in wishing peace and courage to all our FFA friends.
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