Comment

Comment by Michelle on February 12, 2016 at 12:39pm

I've stopped doing the injections because of the dents they create and I'm scared it will deform my whole head and I don't want that lol...i really wanted to answer you because i've been through the same as you. When this started for me 7 years ago I would often get anxiety attacks too. I want to tell you that you can live happily on with this. Its not easy in the beginning. I remember feeling miserable for a few years because I felt that without my hair I could never feel happy or pretty again. I mourned and mourned and wallowed in self-pity until one day I made the decision to no longer base my happiness on this because if I was gonna wait for my hair to grow back to be happy I was gonna be unhappy a hell of a long time. I made the conscious decision to no longer let my hair loss control my mood or my happiness and I can honestly say that I am so very happy right now. My hair grew back since then and fell out again 2 years ago. At this point what I find the hardest is going from hair to none. There is a medication called Xeljanz that my dermatologist suggested but I am so hesitant to take it because I know I can't stay on those pills all my life. Therefore I would take them for a while and feel somewhat better (?) until I have to get off them and go through the motions of losing it again. For me I don't find its worth it. I put a ? There because I can honestly say that even when my hair grew back its not like my confidence sprung back one time or I really felt entirely whole again. This experience changes you at a very deep and even spiritual level. You think everything would be so much better if only you had your hair. But then when you do it barely makes a difference in how you feel inside! Loll so I say yes you can feel good about yourself regardless of hair or no hair I think its something that you will just need to work towards. Also, I think you should really really start to meditate. Meditating was probably the biggest step i took to peace of mind. It really changed my life and I have not had panic/anxiety attacks since I started and this was about 5-6 years ago. I wish you the best through this journey. Time heals xx

Comment by Michelle on February 12, 2016 at 12:39pm

I've stopped doing the injections because of the dents they create and I'm scared it will deform my whole head and I don't want that lol...i really wanted to answer you because i've been through the same as you. When this started for me 7 years ago I would often get anxiety attacks too. I want to tell you that you can live happily on with this. Its not easy in the beginning. I remember feeling miserable for a few years because I felt that without my hair I could never feel happy or pretty again. I mourned and mourned and wallowed in self-pity until one day I made the decision to no longer base my happiness on this because if I was gonna wait for my hair to grow back to be happy I was gonna be unhappy a hell of a long time. I made the conscious decision to no longer let my hair loss control my mood or my happiness and I can honestly say that I am so very happy right now. My hair grew back since then and fell out again 2 years ago. At this point what I find the hardest is going from hair to none. There is a medication called Xeljanz that my dermatologist suggested but I am so hesitant to take it because I know I can't stay on those pills all my life. Therefore I would take them for a while and feel somewhat better (?) until I have to get off them and go through the motions of losing it again. For me I don't find its worth it. I put a ? There because I can honestly say that even when my hair grew back its not like my confidence sprung back one time or I really felt entirely whole again. This experience changes you at a very deep and even spiritual level. You think everything would be so much better if only you had your hair. But then when you do it barely makes a difference in how you feel inside! Loll so I say yes you can feel good about yourself regardless of hair or no hair I think its something that you will just need to work towards. Also, I think you should really really start to meditate. Meditating was probably the biggest step i took to peace of mind. It really changed my life and I have not had panic/anxiety attacks since I started and this was about 5-6 years ago. I wish you the best through this journey. Time heals xx

Comment by Jordyn Napier on February 12, 2016 at 12:29pm

I would recommend giving your body a break and letting yourself have maybe a couple months of rest from the injections. I have heard how painful they can be and how much trauma they can bring into someone's life. My sister is supposed to apply medicine to her scalp twice a day but she stopped because the burning pain and itching sensation was unbearable! Sometimes out body tells us in obvious ways what it needs and from your story maybe it is asking you for a break. I am sending you all of my love and support, your strength shows that you will preserver through this. I think investing into a nice wig is a great idea too! And on the bright side you are seeing hair growth which is always a good sign. Hang in there, you can do it.

Comment by Kapish Agarwal on February 12, 2016 at 11:04am

Hi,

I am suffering from Alopecia Areata since 2 years.As suggested by doctor at the initial stage, i.e 2 years back I was given injection in my scalp(Kenacort injection). Within a week after taking the injection, my hairs started falling rapidly and I lost 100% scalp hairs as well as 70%body hairs. After that I never took injection. Started and tried lots of home remedies and ayurvedic medicines. Now 60% of hairs are back. Waiting for rest 40%.

So I suggest not to take injections.

Comment by cathy on February 12, 2016 at 10:59am

Thank you all for response. I agree about the stress thing, I was NOT stressed when this all started, in fact I was the happiest I can remember. I did stop the shots and that's when I notice my stress, anxiety, and health started feeling better. I think I will invest in a wig so Chris for hair yes I would like more information. Thank you all I have found that this website helps me so much, I am learning to cope with this. My AA is a bit more worse then it actually says when you research info, I currently have more bold spots then it says and they are spreading I can see myself going bold. 

Comment by AriLou on February 12, 2016 at 10:36am

I get injected every 6 weeks and take breaks for a few months when hair grows in. I use rogaine 5% and nioxin regime. I use hair extensions for special occasions. Have had AA for 16 years. I worry about long term effects which my derm says there are none.

Comment by Craig on February 12, 2016 at 10:29am

Wow, Please take Deb's advice with a huge grain of salt....and really everyone for that matter. It is NOT caused by stress. It "may" be related to stress, but it is not caused by it. Many of us got AA at a time in our lives where everything was great and didn't have a care in the world. I can say for certain, that my AU is NOT caused by any stress. Also, do not listen to her about "you should continue the injections". It's your body, and only you know how you feel and how your body responds to the injections. My AA responded to the injections for about a year, then it didn't. My sister also just recently got diagnosed with AA (10 years after me). Stress? I think not.

Not going to lie and say this is going to be easy to deal with. It will be an emotional roller coaster as you learn to cope. But I promise it will get better. The best thing you can do is to surround yourself with loving, supportive people. Learn to be open about in front of them first, then you will learn to be comfortable in public. 

Or....maybe Deb has a certain incense or candle flavor that can help all of our hair grow back along with playing in the park with children, then we'll all be cured!?

Comment by chris for hair on February 12, 2016 at 9:58am

While I do believe that any chronic condition is exacerbated by stress, this does not mean that stress is the cause. Our immune system's can get knocked out of whack by many things. I do agree that the shots are not worth the side effects you are experiencing. They could have life-long changes to your body that you are not thinking of at this time but down the road might be very important. 

BTW, I noticed you are from a town where I have a client that I am sure would be willing to connect with you. She has been through most of what you describe. if you are interested contact me through my site www.thehairreplacement.co 

Comment by Pam D. on February 12, 2016 at 8:29am

What's more important, hair or your health? Even if the injections work, it could be only temporary; I thought the shots worked for me, until they didn't. Your hair loss may or may not be caused by stress; how anybody can definitively say your AA is caused by stress is beyond me. I think the condition is different for everyone. I have zero stress in my life, yet I was diagnosed w/AA at 58; my hair came back twice, but it progressed to AU 3 years later. Some people get their hair back, some people never do. All of us probably try whatever "solutions" medical science has for us, but the truth is, your hair will either come back, or it won't.

I found having hair only to lose it again more stressful than giving up and living without it. I have always been open about my AA/AU with friends, family, new friends, strangers; everyone has been supportive and I find being open and talking about it therapeutic (but that's me). 

Personally, I don't like wearing a wig; I do, I've gotten used to them, but they are not my preference. I can wear a hat all day, but I can only wear a wig for a few hours. I wish I could be comfortable going without something on my head, but I'm not. I prefer some kind of head covering and have soft caps for comfort and hats and scarves if I want to be more stylish. You just have to do what's comfortable for you. 

Good luck to you. 

Comment by linda carraway on February 12, 2016 at 7:41am

I had the shots yrs ago they did nothing . I would stop !

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