Comment by lauren on March 27, 2009 at 2:07pm

i think you should be bald and happy. you dont always have to go bald though. you could get a wig. i think what your going through is something so similar to all of us here. as my hair falls out im totally set on going bald and getting a wig.

and others with AA like myself would be thrilled to have someone to talk to. its always a sense of comfort when you know someone is going through the same thing as you.

Comment by Kayla Adkins on March 27, 2009 at 2:20pm

thanks so much yes I agree its so sweet to have friends who can understand each other. I currently wear a wig
I use to wear the glue in extensions but I dont have enough hair to cover them no more so the wig is great.. thanks
for you reply mean the world to me

Comment by ken on March 27, 2009 at 3:25pm

Kayla, I tryed the shots for 4 months, and my hair just continued to fall out. I was also terrifed of the horrible side effects of steroids. whatever happens,. happens---- I am currently wearing a wig.

Comment by ann on March 27, 2009 at 7:39pm

Hi Kayla I decited against the shots because I was chicken, I buzzed my dead and am wearing a wig and am OK with that . Ann

Comment by josh on March 27, 2009 at 10:56pm

HI Kayla, well I have never tried shots because i know they are not really effective. On the other hand, there is a point where we have face it. For years I have been wearing a cap because sometimes I look like a leopard...When I am alone I laugh at myself, but its hard when people does not know why I actually I always have...well, sometimes my head looks like an exotic brazilian frog...too many spots..

Comment by Jeff W on March 28, 2009 at 12:08am

I can't presume to know what might work for someone else, but I personally had the shots very early on and really had I researched them a bit more would not have taken them. The only effect they had for me were side effects. There have been some statistical success with shots so everyone is a bit different, but my opinion (and this is just my opinion) is that after 4 years of ineffectual treatment the risk of continued exposure to steroid injections might not be worth it in your case. Never give up hope of course, and trust me - you are far from alone.

Jeff

Comment by Joy Cortes on March 28, 2009 at 1:24am

Hi! I've been taken the shots now for a year. My hair use to fall out dime sizes, in the back..now it's getting wider and on the sides of my hair...after reading all these comments and researching...I am finally deciding to possibly donate my hair ( pretty long) to a charity for children with cancer (they make wigs for children with cancer and alopecia)..and get the hair do's I always wanted.

I'm tired of clogging the drain with all my hair after washing it...and the shots... I want to be free!!!

Comment by Heather L on March 28, 2009 at 11:56am

Hi Kayla,

I recently talked to my doctor about this very topic and wanted to share my doctor’s comments on the steroid shots. She said to give a treatment a fair chance to work- you need to give it about 4 months. Given that you have been trying for 4 years with little results – I would think that it is time to give the shots a break. those “dents” are were your scalp has atrophied- when you stop they will fill back in with a little time. Also I can’t help but wonder if a scalp with atrophy is conducive for growing hair- just a thought.
For me over the years I have found the steroid foam to be more effective than the shots.

Hang in there- you certain are not alone!

Comment by Heather L on March 28, 2009 at 12:19pm

Hi Aimee-

I have also used a clobetasol cream (white) and a clobestasol ointment (vaseline looking) and by far prefer the foam. With both the others I had some dry flakey skin and irritation. Might be why the dermatologist is having you cycle it on/ off for two weeks. (never heard of that)
What I use now- and love is specific for scalps and more user friendly- it is clobetasol propionate foam- .05%. It called " Olux" It is expensive! With my insurance I pay $50 (but it costs close to $500)- it lasts me about two months. I use it every night. WARNING though- if you get it on your face or neck it will give you acne! (think they all do that!) just in the last month of so they finally came up with a generic for it- but I have not tried that. It looks like a hair mousse. (same kind of can too.)

Comment