I first thought my big bald spot was from a bad sun burn I got while vacationing in Myrtle Beach in the Spring of 2010....I went to the beach with my hair wet and pulled back in a tight bun on the back of my head. I sat in my beach chair and read my Nook while my kids played. In the weeks to follow I noticed the sore spot getting larger and more pink. That was May 2010. I eventually showed my mother, she is a nurse and she was alarmed by the size of the spot. I told her I didn't know what to do, she strongly advised me to call my doctor. I did as advised and my primary care referred me to a dermatologist within the network I belong to in Nashua N.H. I went in for the evaluation which included a "pull" test which I was not aware they would do....and LOTS of hairs came out and I cried. I was also given a small biopsy that was a test for a potential fungus. I did not think my hair loss was due to a fungus. The doctor and her assistant assured me that my case was treatable and workable with so I left with some hope.

In the weeks and months to follow, which ended up being a whole year, I accepted the steroid injections and responded very well to them. I went every 4 weeks, was experiencing regrowth and was happy. Then new spots, hair falling out in regrowth spots and atrophy occurred. One visit, I was told they would no longer inject because of the atrophy, death to my fatty layer, and that would cause permanent hair loss, death of my follicles etc and so on. I was very upset, I cried and asked them why? Why would they give up on me? They simply said they felt they could no longer help me and didn't want to cause any long term side effects that were irreversible. They did, however, refer me to a doctor in Boston...and that is where my story gets better.

In June of 2011 I was referred to Dr. Goldberg at B.U. Medical in Boston Massachusetts. My Nashua N.H. dermatologist sent my records and details to her and told me I wold be contacted when an appointment was made. I was able to be seen at B.U. Medical in October of 2011....I was VERY upset at that time frame....it meant my hair would have 4 months to fall out in new spots and not be treated, and advance etc etc...I panicked is what it boiled down to. October 20 something arrived and my husband drove us down to Boston, a 40 minute drive with no traffic. I signed in and sat in the waiting area and looked at the others waiting....people like me, some worse, some the same....I felt so NOT alone for the first time having this condition! At some point I was brought into an office...everyone there was VERY happy to see me....I was the last candidate/signature needed in their study to receive more Federal funding to continue their research and cure for the diseases, both Alopecia Areata & Totalis!!! Ok....study? Research? I panicked...I didn't know what I had agreed to!!!! The administrative professional had me sign my life away...including sharing my information with countries from around the world etc etc....you know what? I happily signed....if I can be the link that gets more funding and a cure, GOOD! Additionally, being contracted into the study I am...IF a cure is found, I will be a candidate for experimental treatment.

So seeing Dr. Goldberg...she is AMAZING, she is the most tell it like it is, deal with it kind of Dr. ever and I love that about her!!!! I have been seeing her (& her residents) for one year and one month now...and a few things are key to mention. First and foremost, Dr. Goldberg was BAFFLED as to why my N.H. Dermatologist "gave up on me" and sent me to her and to drive 40 minutes plus to do what she could still be doing. Second, Dr. Goldberg determined that the atrophy was due to the injections being more superficial than they should have been....how could the Derm in N.H. NOT know that her assistant was doing that to me? Third, Dr. Goldberg told me (still tells me) she will treat me and see me as long as I want to and as long as this disease is still affecting me. She is SO cool, so funky, GREAT at what she does. If I don't want a resident (whom are all at least 4-6 years in to being dr's) doing my injections, she makes sure to make time and do my injections herself.

Great news....in one years time, this past October....my atrophy is gone...yes, gone! Although my Alopecia has played a great game of chase all over my head with spots as small as 1 inch around and as big as 6 inches, and three on the back of my head that blended into the proverbial "donut"....despite the last year of frustration...I am in remission!!!! I do not have clumps of hair coming out in the shower, or when I brush...matter of fact, it is so minimal and normal, like the days before the disease struck.

Steroid injections for Alopecia Areata work VERY well when administered by the best of the best and that is Dr. Goldberg at B.U. Medical in Boston Ma. for me. Last visit I was told I have no exclamation for the first time in 2 years and 6 months....no exclamation is great. My next visit is December 10th....I will keep you all posted.