Comment by Matt on May 20, 2008 at 8:42pm

When I got to the point where my bald spots were taking over the top of my head, I decided to limited the injections to my eyebrows only. I just couldn't imagine getting shots all over my head. It would have been a lot of shots...

I would say, bring your concerns to your dermatologist, and see what he/she has to say. They should have a pretty good handle on whether it's practical to continue the shots. Ultimately, it's up to you, but you don't have to make the decision alone.

All the little dents and divots that formed as a result of my shots are long gone now. Take comfort in knowing they're temporary.

Comment by Mandy on May 20, 2008 at 9:02pm

OMG thanks for that, Matt. I know the doctor said those divots are temporary, but it's so hard to believe when you're feeling them there for so long. Your saying that makes me feel much better about that.

Comment by Carmella on May 20, 2008 at 9:50pm

Having opted out of treatments I can't advise you on the shots. I can however advise you that to get rid of that sinking feeling in your stomach you should enjoy a long bath with some soothing candles, fragrance and music - or your favorite food and movie.
SMile
CAR

Comment by Rachel H. on May 20, 2008 at 10:22pm

Oh yes, those dents go away!! I've decided to not get the injections anymore, because over the years, they have become far more painful because of the scar tissue that has developed in the areas that had been injected over and over again. You derm will give you good advice, and they can only inject so much at a time, so if you are seeing improvement in an area, they will not re-inject that area. They will move on to a new area. Hope that helps! And remember, a wig really isn't that bad. I've been wearing them since October. I've really gotten used to it! This will be my first summer with wigs though... so hopefully I won't get as overheated as I suspect... I'm rambling.... sorry about that!!

Comment by Yvonne~Yhoney on May 21, 2008 at 3:01am

Sorry Mandy, it only took one time for me to do the shots and that was enough for me...I only had 3 quarter sized spots the one time I did get the shots and boy, I didn't feel the pain was worth hair growing back. :|

Comment by Tony on May 21, 2008 at 6:13am

Hi Mandy,

I did shots the first time around many years ago. I had half the spots done on the first and only visit. I'm not sure if it was worth the effort. The hair eventually grew back...the spots that weren't done grew back shortly after the ones that were. Don't know if that helps...please know that our thoughts are with you.

Comment by 3mee on May 21, 2008 at 7:32am

I had AT, so the dr gave me more than 30 shots on the whole head. Its really painful!! Unfortunately, after taking all these painful shots for 3 months, I found out that the dr is not qualified. I was teriffied and start seeking for another qualified dr. My hair grow back but now, it started falling again.

I can imagine how you feel now and am sorry for that.

Comment by Joel on May 21, 2008 at 9:19am

Hi Mandy. My experience with the shots showed only temporary improvement. Unfortunately your blood cells are "fooled" for a short period of time but they recover their "memory" (this is in my case) shortly thereafter. Try it but don't count on this treatment for the long term.

Comment by willow on May 21, 2008 at 11:13am

Hi Mandy, I've had alopecia universalis for 38 yrs, i did 5 yrs of shots. I recommend you get the doctor to shoot all the bald spots, and even where it may be thinning out. This is what I know. I had alopecia for many many years prior to finding a doctor who knew what to do. By that time, I had been totally bald for way too many years. The shots are only deposited between the layers of skin, and yes, the divets will go away, and lets face it, if your hair grows back, who cares if the divets stay or not, no one will ever know. The faster you get these steriods in your hairline, the less chance you have of becoming full blown alopecia universalis. Being fully bald, the doc put approximately 100 shots in my head every two weeks, and I did not find it was that painful, and even then, a bit of pain, to have a full head of hair is well worth it. The doc can put a bit of Elma cream prior to injecting, and that will freeze the skin a bit. I highly recommend it, its the most successful treatment so far.

Comment by Mom on May 21, 2008 at 12:01pm

Hi Mandy, My daughter who is 12 and also on your friends list.... She did try and keep up with the shots but we felt it wasnt working enough and hurt too much too continue. I think the injections work well if a person say only has one or two spots. In my daughters case, her loss progressed over about a year to the point of us having to order a wig and we just had kind of a wait and see thing... In Feb I will tell you the daily torture of all the hair everyhere, the new areas of loss the fact that she couldnt hide it anymore was too much.... We did receive a beautiful human hair wig, has it cut and ready and she decided to shave her head. It was kind of a turning point in her young life, in a crazy way she kind of took charge, not waiting and wondering anymore, It was a relief for her and the whole family, she told her friends and it was like turning a corner and moving forward. The wig looks close to her own hair, and you can not tell it is a wig. There are great options out there, there are tapes, waterproof tapes, glues etc.. she is very athletic and it had never been a problem for her. And now if her hair grows back it grows back, the whole crazy rollarcoaster is kind of leveled off, she is doing alot better and in the morning we tape on her hair and off she goes! You sound like you really are doing well already with this already so after I have rambled on here, I would say the steroid shots are not always the answer. Amy

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