Comment by Casey on August 7, 2008 at 11:38am

Hey there Lisa! Thanks for your comment!
Ive had AA for almost 10 years. When I first found a spot at the age of 14 my mom new exactly what it was (her half brother had AA). We went to the dermatoligist right away! For what I remember I tried for about 3 years of different types of meds for this including: shots of steriods in my head, stestimic steriods, topical, pills, and on and on!! I hadnt had anyluck with any of the meds! only bad luck actually.. The first dermatologist gave me a steriod shot in my shoulder (for what ever reason? im not sure) it made me gain weight and it made happy one second mean the next then crying another, plus it didnt help when the doctor was very rude! I started crying in the middle of getting the shot (not due to pain if ya know what i mean), he yelled at me and told me it wasnt that bad! I looked at him for the last time that day!! Now when I started at another dermotoligst he was wonderful he wanted to do anything in his power to help... He did try too..
the steriod shots in the scalp was painful and irratating and did not help, just made a very bad reaction on the spots (which is what is suppose to do) but it hurt me so after a while of trying that we started this topical stuff (sorry i dont remember the correct names) which the doc puts on a low % each time, on the first time he put a higher % on for faster result and it resulted in a 2nd degree burn on my head.. it was awful! omy!!! so after getting better from that we started on pills... one day i went to the docs he told me there was a medication out there we could try that could have a possitive results but (and isnt there always a BUT) we would have to keep a close watch on my kidneys. That day I looked at him and told him ABSOLUTELY not and I told him I was done with meds if my hair was goin to come back it will on its own.. I will never take something that could make me sick when having alopecia you are perfectly healthy.. I know that doctors want to help and one day they may, but in all honesty there are no cures for alopecia at this time. The meds they give to you are used to stimulate and maybe the hair will come back... After about 3 years I got sick of trying I couldnt handle it anymore the pain of it plus the emotional state i was in...
So at that point I was 16 and then just took a razor and shaved my head I cryed for about 4 hours in the mirror.. but I just kept on goin after that.. plus now 7 years later I think I have a pretty damn good looking head! hehe! I actually started growing my hair out just to see how much I have.. though its thin and i have a couple spots on the back of my head, its there.. and i think if i keep growing it (and it doesnt start falling out again) I could have my hair back! I can only hope!!!! ;o) Ive been sporting scarves now but im still very uncomfortable going out in them but i do it anyways.. im hoping it gets better!!!
tell me alittle bit about yourself..

talk to you soon!
CASEY

Comment by missmyhair on August 11, 2008 at 12:22pm

Hi Lisa,
Have you been to heralopecia.com? This is another great site. I think you will find a lot of other girls w/ the same type of hairloss you have there. You might want to check it out!

Comment by Laurie on August 12, 2008 at 8:40am

Lisa,

My hairloss started when I got off of birth control (I also developed very oily skin and cystic acne). I wish I had done my research, bought some Proactiv, and left well enough alone to see if my body would heal itself. The docs put me back on birth control and spironolactone for the acne and hairloss. I've only been on the meds since 05/08 but haven't seen much of a change. I think my hairloss has decreased slightly but that's it. I do have clear skin again, though! I have already made a decision to take the meds through year end and if I see no change, I'm going to get off. I know it will be hard and I'll lose more hair, but I just don't like the idea of being stuck on meds forever - especially synthetic hormones.

Comment by Lisa on August 13, 2008 at 10:21am

Thanks Laurie - good idea to give it a year. I had not thought of that and I do not like the idea of being on meds forever either!

Comment by Lisa on August 13, 2008 at 10:22am

to missmyhair - I will check out the website and thank you for sugg. it. Anything guidance or info helps!

Comment by Shannon on August 29, 2008 at 7:04am

Hello All!
I am about to go back to the Dr. in a few days and I am sure he will be offering the injections at this point. Considering the cream I have been using for the last 7 weeks has not worked. Can anyone, please give me some feedback on these injections? I have read good and bad things about the shots.
Have a great day!
Shannon

Comment by estella garcia on February 2, 2010 at 10:20pm

my doctor has mentioned spiro,did your sheds increase?

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