Steroid injection side-effects? And other questions!

Hi there!

I'm Karli and I have had AA for almost 2 years now. I have been going to the derm for injection treatment once every 5-8 months and my hair has made a comeback in the sites of injection... However, I am finding new spots all over my head. I was wondering what long-term side effects could be caused by the injections, and if I should even keep going to the derm. What are some common short-term side effects? My derm never really talked to me much about the product was or what it could do...... and I have been googling a lot and haven't found much! Has anyone else had dermatologists who just seemed to... not care?

I am a college student and can't really afford to go every month or two to the derm... any suggestions? At this point I am giving up on trying to re-grow because it is so unpredictable.

I have another question: regarding hair donations. My total hair length will be perfect to cut and donate after the winter is over. However, a large portion of my hair is regrowth, and will not be of length to cut along with the bulk of my hair. How much bulk is needed to make a wig? I would really love to donate, I just hope there is enough long hair to do it! :)

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Comment by Ana Rita Mota on November 9, 2011 at 7:55am

I forgot i take cortisone injections not stereoides.

Comment by Ana Rita Mota on November 9, 2011 at 7:52am

Hello Karli

I have had AA for almost 2 years such as you. Sorry my mistakes because i'm portuguese.
I have had the injections on February 2011, and my hair is so must better. I have all my head coverd by hair. I'm so happy. Although in the summer i start to begin to have severe itching in some parts of the head and i lost hair in those areas where I itched. I was afraid to return all over again then in October I went to the dermatologist and she told me that were scars from the injections. They are so small that i even bother with that.
There is the only thing i now about this issue. I have had 30 injections but in only one day but i do not know how works in your derm because you say you have been there for some time.

I wope i've helped you.
BE STRONG
With Love Rita

Comment by adam fidencio pongan on November 9, 2011 at 6:45am

Oh I have also noticed that with injections even with re-ocurring patches they would grow back. I lose a little of my eyebrows every year but from all the injections they start to grow back before I get the chance to get back the the DR. If anyone has any questions or comments please write me.

Comment by adam fidencio pongan on November 9, 2011 at 6:43am

I am 32 years old and have had AA for 21 years I was told by my doctors that I would never get my hair back ever again. I have been shaving my for head for roughly 15 years. My eyebrows have been the only thing that I have ever really cared about and therefor I found it necessary to get injections in the eyebrow area. After roughly four years of injections they stopped falling out however they are looking rather sparse again this year. Does anyone notice greater hair loss when the cold whether comes? Any way I have tried every topical solutionn available and every oral steroid available. I have also taken street ani-diabolic steroids with no effect. The only thing that has ever worked has been local steroid injections. Yes there are effects but I love have my eyebrows.

Oh side note. I am Chemical engineer and my wife is a biomedical. It is my belief that well AA may very well be a curable disease the money associated with it is just not enough to ever make it through FDA trials. Coming up with a cure in my opinion is not the difficult part its the lack of profit that makes the cure impossible to find. Malaria would be cured and millions of people could be saved " If it were a profitable fix ".

Comment by Mel on November 9, 2011 at 6:19am
hi, ask ur derm 4 more info.he is legally required 2 give u all the side effects as part of gaining informed consent for the procedure. The way steroids work is by slightly supressing the immune system thus suppressing the alopecia. They do come with massive side effects such as weight gain resulting in a 'moonface',eye damage, and thin the skin jst 2 name a few. Thats why they are not a long term treatment option. I had in injections 6 weekly for 6 monthes.they gave me migranes and neasua for a wk each time i had them and any hair that grew back fell out as so as i stopped.hope that helps,my main point is that ur derm should have explained the risks 2 u prior 2 any treatment.
Comment by elaine on November 9, 2011 at 5:57am

I've had AA for 31yrs and have tried everything including cortisone injections in my scalp which had no affect but I've not heard of the stereoid ones. don't think I'd bother now though.

Comment by Raj on November 9, 2011 at 12:11am

Pls dont go for oral or topical steroid... after a long intake of steroids i.e. 1997 - 2004, nothing is achived much but now i have bone related problem and continuous joint pain.

Now i cant even do regular work-out in gym..

steroid is a slow poison.. I remember that my Dr. use to tell me that local application in terms of shots not really impact the body .. but fter long i felt that my eye sight, bones and memory is getting affected because of this..

Comment by You can do it : ) on November 8, 2011 at 10:59pm

I go to Orentreich Medical group in the NYC every 6 weeks for injections. It is very expensive and I feel very guilty every time I give my parents the bill but it has been helping and they are very nice . They also give me drops I use them twice a day. And I fill my spots in with stuff someone recomended x-fusion.

Comment by Laina on November 8, 2011 at 9:35pm
I have been getting injections on and off for years (as needed), I have to disagree with Kate about the injections being lethal long term, the reason is because its such a low strength and is placed very shallow in the scalp. I do have disphagia (indents in scalp) but they go back to normal. I haven't experienced any negative side effects only positive. I went 7 years without injections and a full head of hair, up until a couple of years ago when it acted up again. Email if you want to chat borwegenhays@yahoo.com
Comment by sally on November 8, 2011 at 9:01pm

re Susan's "Be good to yourself, save the money and spend it on things that make your life richer and more rewarding.": i took my daughter to Dr. Shapiro: the top dermatologist/alopecia expert at NYU medical center. susan's words are the exact words her sister & i told her after that extremely expensive & hugely depressing meeting. the thousand dollars would have been much better spent on a dress and a air of boots. he was a complete quack and he made her feel like she'd be better off dead.

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