Injections: Cure or Needless Pain?

I remember back when I was about 8 or 9 my dermatologist telling my mother about receiving injections in my scalp. Even though my mother waited a while and discussed it over with me before agreeing with the treatment, nothing could've prepared me for these injections. Everyone is different and everyone don't have the same experiences that I may have had, but it was not a pleasant experience. I can't remember what the exact name of the medications were, but the results were not enough for me to have gone through this.
A little hair fuzz came back in only in the injection sites, but not for long. My hopes got built up because I kept thinking "this time it won't fall back out." But eventually it did. I was also given the topical creams with one of them directing me to sit in a window near sunlight to increase the effectiveness of the medicine. I used to get about 10-20 injections per visit. One time the injections were not that painful while receiving them. But after I left the doctor office the areas became very painful. I remember my mother used to try to take me to the movies or buy something new to get my mind off of it.
So far I haven't heard of anyone being "cured" from this treatment and to me it seems like unnecessary pain. Just wondering...

Views: 155

Comment by Tallgirl on April 12, 2009 at 11:30pm
The shots cost money, pain and headaches, dents and humiliation. The hair cycle would have grown in in three months anyway, most of us have found. So, I quit the shots years ago. I have AT now and I just buy wigs. You'll have to read other comments on this site (see Discussions) for the experience of others, and the HOPES of others. Some people haven't had this for long, and haven't been through the trials and learned the lessons that the older Alopecians have learned. Everyone, however, deserves to try as many medications or methods as is safe to satisfy his or her own curiosity.
Comment by Natalie on April 13, 2009 at 12:00am
I also did monthly steroid injections for about 2 years. The hair would grow back, but other new bald spots would inevitably spring up. It was like I was fighting a losing battle! I tried steroid foam, but that irritated my scalp and didn't help with the hair growth. Three separate times I tried oral steroids, and they always worked wonders, but then the hair would fall out a few months later. I have finally decided that my hair will grow back when it feels like it, so I'm no longer doing any treatments and have accepted my hair loss and am getting a wig next week! I'm really glad that I found this website because now I know I am not alone :) I hope that you find a treatment that works for you, but in the meantime please know that I understand and feel free to talk to me anytime :)
Cheers,
Natalie
Comment by Linda on April 13, 2009 at 8:05am
Hi Elaine, I had those same injections when I was about 9, my hair never grew back, not even a little bit. Needless to say, they were painful for a 9 year old, but I love my Mother for tirelessly trying to find a cure. Derms will tell us anything, it took me a long time to learn that there is no cure for Alopecia, I accept that and life is good!
Comment by shemika on April 13, 2009 at 8:57pm
i so agree...with the other ladies..i dont bother at all...with the shots..had them in my arm at first..welll wait lets go back..FIRST.got the topical "gel"..then the cream..then the shampoo...then the shots...in my arm...once they started in my scalp SHOTS.....the first SCALP SHOT..i was done with it all...i was in such pair...i said forget it! i just now wear the lace wigs...now im goin natural so im hopping this will hide most of the balding areas in the front and top...

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