Comment by BT on October 18, 2010 at 10:27pm

I know this might not be any consolation for you (because everyone seems to react differently with different treatments), but I've been doing the injections for 3 months and I haven't seen any real results from them. In fact, my last derm visit I had to point out 3 new spots to be injected. The derm just stated that it(Alopecia) would have to run it's course and told me to make an appointment for December. (I saw him the end of Sept.) In doing research about this disease, I don't know if any one thing can really stop it. Some treatments may temporarily start some hair growth, but as soon as the treatments are stopped, the hair is lost again (this is just my personal opinion). I think crying is okay. I think all of us do that every once in a while. It's all part of the grieving process. We are here and you are not going through this by yourself. I think your decision to give it to God is your best choice. We can't control this, but HE can and HE can help us live with it. :-)

Comment by Devin on October 18, 2010 at 11:18pm

Hi Diana,
My HMO did the same thing to me, but you where aloud to protest. I wrote a letter to the insurance company about how not having eyelashes can be unhealthy ect... and they then allowed me to take my treatments for six months. Different treatment, but still you might want to try. Good Luck!

Comment by Diana Carter on October 19, 2010 at 12:35am

Bless you all, and thank you for your comments. This came as a total shock to me today. Felt like a slap in the face. That's okay, I am taking control..I colored my hair auburn today..figured, why now..while I have it. and I too, have read alot on here about the hair falling out once treatments are stopped. I am okay with not having the treatments, I just dont know how they can consider treatment for Alopecia as "cosmetic surgery". My mom says I have a good attitude and that will help me get through this. :)

Comment by Clara S. on October 19, 2010 at 4:23am

Hey Diana, i probably tried lots of treatments already, and I'm done with costly treatments and am just going with the flow for now.

And it always sucks when you find out that they consider this a "cosmetic" treatment. When i first moved to Singapore and found out my company's insurance wouldn't cover my treatments, i was shocked too but just went on with it. Now i realize I should have stopped a year ago and saved my money because it sure didn't work for me! It was all just a temporary fix.

Comment by soniamarry on October 19, 2010 at 7:09am

Yes, when i went to the dermatologist he told me the same thing, but he said that if i was experiencing any pain or discomfort then the plan would cover it. It all depends on how they do the write up. If you still wanna go the treatment route, i say look into this. I hope this helps. Have a blessed day!

Comment by Bald and Fabulous AKA Terri on October 19, 2010 at 12:53pm

Ouch.. Im sorry to hear that your medical plan will no longer cover you. Cosmetic surgery???!!!! That is absurd!!!
"A range of surgical procedures that are carried out to alter and enhance a patient's physical appearance."
"Any non-medically necessary surgery or procedure, the primary purpose of which is to improve or change the appearance of any portion of the body, but which does not restore bodily function, correct a disease state, physical appearance or disfigurement caused by an accident, birth defect, or ..."
Since alopecia is a autoimmune disease/condition.....therefore any treatment for it would be considered treating a medical condition.
I did injections for 10+yrs, every 6 weeks, plus weekly PUVA and pills. Yup that is alot of OUCH. And I did find them to work in the areas in which the injections were done. Unfortunately new areas would always crop up. Having dealt with alopecia for the majority of my life, I decided to stop all treatments and take this time to heal my soul. We tend to cause ourselves alot of pain inorder to treat our alopecia that we forget about our soul, our essence, our mind. Remember that we are more than what is on top of our heads. We have a personality that we need to let shine. And that is what Im now learning and trying to do.

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”- Ted Geisel (Dr. Seuss)

Comment by Sarah Schripsema on October 19, 2010 at 3:30pm

I recently had a friend who had problems with her insurance covering special formula for her daughter that had an auto immune disease. She took it to the press. I believe she contacted a news station and sent out letters about her situation. It would be so neat if you could find news stations to help you expose the ridiculuousness of insurance companies. Plus alopecia isnt very well known so it may provide an avenue of intrest and start change in this world we live in!

Comment by Diana Carter on October 19, 2010 at 10:51pm

I need to tell you all, you are all AMAZING! What great help, and ideas. Yes, Sarah, it IS RIDICULOUSNESS..and even if I don't pursue the injections, there are others that have to fight this battle too. Terri - I would think it would be considered treating a medical condition also..I do NOT understand. I told the lady three time that very thing....just before I wished her hair to fall out...I know..not nice of me..but how ELSE will ppl GET IT! I am new to this Alopecia thing, but I am NOT one for rolling over, and accepting what sure seems to me to be an injustice. I am SURE that in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex (TONS of ppl) they do not want a stink about this...lol. BTW...it was my dermatologist's office that insisted that this is "standard procedure" and that they have many Alopecia patients, and that this is the way insurance companies expect it to be coded. I think I am going to pursue this...and find out WHO decides this is "cosmetic surgery"...insurance, or this doctor. Meanwhile, they may be waiting on payment on this portion of my bill! Thank you all...I am fired up...and want some answers now. They will probably prefer me go back to the crying, but I am over THAT now..now it's time to do my homework. I fought our local city counsel years ago when our street was flooding and they were sailing 18' sailboats down my street..got newspaper recognition...and I am not afraid of a challenge. Besides, we NEED more awareness! I didn't even know what it was when I was diagnosed! Most people DON'T! Went to Half-Price Books today, and had them do a search on ANY BOOKS on ALOPECIA, well, you could probably guess...there were NONE :(

Comment by Tallgirl on October 19, 2010 at 10:55pm

See new research stuff at www.naaf.org

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