Cortisone Shots & Doc Ponders Other Treatments
Yesterday I had the pleasure of getting about 20 alopecia cortisone shots to hopefully (once again) suppress my alopecia areata and hopefully spur on some new growth. I had the same treatment about 6 weeks ago feeling not terribly confident that it would help but it is better than doing nothing (to a degree — read below).
My dermatologist recommended that if this was not effective that we might possibly try a drug called prednisone which I am not too crazy about trying. I have head many people having some ishy side effects from this drug … maybe I am not suppose to have that great head of hair that I had for the first 30 years of my life?
Has anyone had any experience with this drug? Did you have any side effects when taking prednisone?
Posted in Hair Loss Info
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August 10th, 2005 at 10:43 pm
i have been getting the cortisteriods shots once every three weeks and the shots did not stop my hair from falling out then the dermatolagist put me on prednisone pills for 2 weeks and my hair quit falling out. Now im still loosing hair but its the normal amout that falls out. Im off the prednisone and now reveiving the injections in my scalp every three weeks and also getting one shot in my arm. Im hoping it dosent take to long for my full head of hair to come back
September 26th, 2005 at 4:58 am
I have been taking these shots 1 time a month for 5 years now. When I stop the shots my hair falls out. I had a bone density test after 3 years of this treatment…..the results were not good for a woman my age. I had alopecia at 19 but after a year of shots if was gone. Then at 41 it came back. I have had it ever since. It seems to be directly related to stress and worry. The shots are uncomfortable to say the least. When it started back up 5 years ago I almost lost all of my hair. I have a full head of hair now with some dime size spots from time to time that show up at the neckline and at my temples. I know these shots can not be good for me ….because I have had a number of illness’s since they started. Right now I have shingles….do the math
September 26th, 2005 at 5:08 am
I need to add to this….. the injections suppress your immune system. This leaves you open to a lot of other things. Like I said my bone density test shows I have problems I shouldn’t have at this age. Also they cause mood swings and upsets in your menstral cycle. I have had so many upper respiratory infections. I keep taking these injections and I really think its time to consider the problems I know that are coming from them. I wouldn’t suggest taking these shots for a long period of time. I am having my 2nd round of shingles in two months. I do know if I stop the shots I will loose my hair. It has happened everytime. Oh, let me add……this is a steroid and over time it will make you gain weight. When I stopped the shots I immediately lost 10 pounds.
March 14th, 2006 at 4:43 pm
My daughter has had recurring alopecia areata for 7 years. She seems to have a recurrence about every 1 1/2 - 2 years. The cortisone shots have helped each time. Within 4 weeks, the hair has grown back. The dermatologist’s center has been very kind, and gets her in within 48 hours every time we call. The larger the spots get, the harder to treat them with the injections. I don’t know what she would have done without the injections, however the emotional trauma is excruciating. She started them at the age of 13 and is now age 20.
January 31st, 2008 at 5:18 pm
sherry stated that she wouldnt suggest taking the shot in the head for a long period of time! i would like to know how long is enough? I would also like to know when getting the shot in your head, how many shots should you get in one visit? and why does some patients get it in their arm? what type of upper respiratory infection did sherry have? why does patients only take prednisone drug for only 2wks and is it more or less dangerious than the shots and why! and it’s side affects. please respond asap thank you