Medication Break - 3 months on

Hello friends, thought I would update you on my med break. I am now 3 months on after stopping Cellcept and Finasteride (after previously trying Planquinil and steroid injections). 

I saw my derm yesterday and she thought my scalp was not as inflamed. I think I still have some thinning and also "stray, moth eaten hairline" with raised follicles so can't say I have burned out. 

So no real change off meds which means I guess I have no real change on them either.  So I feel good about this as I imagined I would stop and it would fall out quicker.

The plan is for me to take a pic of my scalp and monitor myself for a while and to call if I notice any real acceleration in my loss and we would try something else. 

I went and got a shorter hair cut to help hide my loss at the front and the part where I have once patch receded more than the other. 

And I am tying to consciously let it go a bit. Hard for someone as anxious as me!

I am 3 years diagnosed now and really only now feel like I am coming to terms with things. So to all you newly diagnosed, please give yourself time to process it all.

Jacqui

Views: 318

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by sallylwess on December 17, 2017 at 11:26pm

Hi Jacqui.  I have also stopped all meds and not treating at all.  I say my derm this past week for my three month check-up, and like you, the news was good.  He said that he saw no evidence of inflammation for the first time in the three years I have seen him.  In the past three months, since stopping treatment, I have had to go into wigs full-time.  At times, my scalp will itch or feel a bit crawly, but overall, I am not bothered by fall-out or itching, or red inflamed areas.  I have suffered with intense burning, itching, and hair loss since 2010, but was not diagnosed until 2013 or 2014.  I would not say I am in burn-out, but I am “quiet” at the moment.  This is such a crazy disease.  

Permalink Reply by Jacqui on December 18, 2017 at 2:54am

Awesome news Sallywess and your "quietness", I hope you continue to be silent!  My FFA seemed to be a slow progression anyway... I was happy things didn't speed up off the meds. I still get the crawling, itching feeling at the nape of my neck but no loss or inflammation there anyone can see.  You are right, it's such a crazy disease.

Permalink Reply by Halfbakedwho on December 18, 2017 at 8:06am

thanks for this news! I am currently using Minoxidil and Clobestan (spelling) but am losing hair anyway... definitely moth-eaten. I am going to keep this up until March or so, get the biopsy, and see what's next. I don't know if it's heartening to know that the meds don't change much... I feel so helpless. So far I just have the large-forehead look so I can still get away with it. But it's been going on since at least 2015 (when my esthetician noticed it - not me!!) so I don't know when it will "burn out". 

Permalink Reply by Jacqui on December 18, 2017 at 6:59pm

I think this was one of the reason I stopped meds.... to see if they were actually doing anything as I couldn't tell either way.  I do hope though that those meds will kick in for you!  xx

RSS

Disclaimer

Any mention of products and services on Alopecia World is for informational purposes only; it does not imply a recommendation or endorsement by Alopecia World. Nor should any statement or representation on this site be construed as professional, medical or expert advice, or as pre-screened or endorsed by Alopecia World. Alopecia World is not responsible or liable for any of the views, opinions or conduct, online or offline, of any user or member of Alopecia World.

© 2024   Created by Alopecia World.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service