After over a year of silence...I am back.

Dear readers and fellow mankind,

It's been over a year of complete silence on this Blog. I am thankful that I am back here.

Yes, I still have Alopecia Universalis and I always have this instant connection whenever I see, read or meet someone else with the same condition.

I couldn't help but to share this post when I came across this today.

We as Alopecians will continue to live our life to the fullest and whoever out there who also suffers the same condition like I do or Tommy...you are not alone and never will be. Reach out to any of us if you are having a tough time.

Here's the post I'm sharing...

Brave little kid Tommy! Truly an inspiration!

Celebrating the 10th Year of "Hairlessness" Part 1

...10th...

November 2001 was the time when my hair was falling rapidly, within months I lost about 80% of the hair on my scalp, then it progressed to my eyebrows, arm and leg hairs, eyelashes and the rest of the body and this condition is termed as ''Alopecia Universalis"- a severe form of Alopecia Areata.

It's been 10 years and I still love to tell others about alopecia areata. So, what is alopecia areata (AA)? In short and lay-man explaination: The white blood cells in my body attacks my hair roots and there is no cure yet. And I cannot die from having Alopecia Areata. It is widely believed and accepted by both scientist and dermatologist it is one to the Autoimmune diseases.

Now, in the 10th year of living with alopecia universalis (AU), instead of sobbing about my "still hairlessness" and still being a "weirdo" to some people in the society, I want to celebrate it. Without alopecia, I will never be the person I am today.

Being AU also marked the beginning of a blessed life.

Before I speak furthermore on how AU has affected my life, to all who is new to AA or AU, you are most welcome to learn about it through my previous blog postings (clicking on the topic will link you to the post):

1. Explaining Alopecia Areata and Auto-immune disease
2. Understanding the role of T-Cytotoxic & T-Helper Lymphocytes
3. Alopecia Areata as an Auto-immune disease
4. Should Alopecia Areata patients strengthen their immune systems?
5. Wouldn't the T-Lymphocytes around the hair follicle of an AA patients die?

There is no cure yet eventhough there are various form of treatments available, from the immunosuppresants to acupuncture to ayuverdic. The success of these treatments are not consistent for every patient with AA, I have personally know people living with AA have spontaneous regrowth and complete recovery with any form of treatment at all.

So, thats the end of Part 1 of a series of blog postings in Celebration of my 10th Year of "Hairlessness". This post explain what Alopecia Areata is. Future blogs will talk about living with alopecia.

God bless everyone.

Joshua

A Proud Alopecian :)

p/s: You can post me a comment if you would like to talk to me in private or visit http://www.alopeciaworld.com/ for more advice or support on alopecia areata.

Response to intensive 3 months of prednisone treatment for AA

My response to three months of prednisone treatment for Alopecia areata. (As posted on Alopecia World website)



I am going to voice my opinion as brief as possible into three aspect Physiologically, Philosophically & Psychologically. I'm into veterinary medicine and we even use prednisone for animals but never longer than 7 days. However, I need more specification/ details in term of the dosage of prednisone and the route of administration. However, my response is based on the recommended prednisone dosage being used over this three months of treatment (given systemically).

The physiological aspect:

Side effects of Prednisone:
Major
1. Risk of developing diabetes
2. Weight gain (also increased risk of Cushing's syndrome- hyperadrenocortism)
3. Facial swelling / ascites/ edematous
4. Depression, euphoria, or behavioral changes
5. Fatigue or lethargic
6. Vision impairment
7. Ulcers / Mouth sores
8. Osteoporosis
9. Insomnia
10. Joints & abdominal pain
11. Cataracts
12. Anxiety
13. Blood vessels diseases

Minor
1. Rash
2. Diarrhea
3. Frequent urination

In short, I am strongly against the use of Prednisone for more than 7 days as recommended for the treatment of Alopecia areata and what more for 3 months. ( Again, very dosage dependent)

The philosophical aspect:
One must set priority right, naturally and normally in our body as designed by God. Hair is just a part of the body, when we are compromising the conditions of other major organs and vital organs and the IMMUNE SYSTEM in the sake of getting our hair back, I seriously urge people to re-examine their thoughts and decision. The compromises made would probably led to one the side effects mentioned above (Under recommendation, the use of prednisone is not more than 7 days or give and take 14 days). Three months is almost 12 folds higher. One must be compromising their quality of life and even their LIFE if agree to be subjected to the treatment regime. In short, it is philosophically unwise when one opt to regain a non-vital part of the body by compromising other vital organs and even LIFE itself!

The psychological aspect:It would be thrilling and exciting to have my hair back. It would be perfect and awesomely great if I can have my hair back just with a simple faith without compromising my quality of life and my loved ones around me. I have been living with AA for more than 20 years and with AU for more than 6 years. I would definitely sacrifice alot for my hair to grow back as long as my sacrifices are practical, logical and sensible (i.e the more people I help, the more hair I get...etc) In short, our psychology needs to grow through proper thoughts and knowledge together with practicality and wisdom.

AT THE END I STRONGLY OPPOSE TO THE ABOVE TREATMENT REGIME & WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE EVEN IF THE TREATMENT CAN WORK 100% EFFECTIVELY.

I couldn't read all the response to this discussion but I have read that some are willing to take this kind of treatment regime and some are trying for more than a few weeks already. I would like to add that some are taking calcium supplements to prevent the side effects of having osteoporosis while treating alopecia with long-duration of prednisone. Let me remind everyone to remember the amount of burden one is putting on the kidney. Kidney has to work extra hard for drug elimination and calcium mineral. The liver has to work extra hard for drug metabolism. The heart has to work extra hard due to the increase of blood viscosity due to the effect of drug, calcium supplements together with the ongoing comprimising of liver and kidney.

AGAIN, I AM STRONGLY AGAINST THE USE OF PREDNISONE FOR MORE THAN ONE MONTH (INJECTABLE into the body system) /TWO MONTHS (ORALLY) FOR THE TREATMENT OF ALOPECIA AREATA. * Local subcutaneous injection on the scalp are still acceptable once every two months (three times = six months)

SOME MAY DISAGREE WITH ME BUT THIS IS TOTALLY MY OWN OPINION. NO INTENTION TO OFFEND ANYONE. THANK YOU.

Joshua

A Note of about hair follicle (Alopecia areata patients)

A NOTE ABOUT THE HAIR FOLLICLE:

Hair follicles are extremely tough and robust. They are able to take multiple insults and despite being disrupted by the immune cells, the hair follicle are capable to regenerate given the right conditions (subject of research), even after many years of insults/punishment.

The fact about hair follicle mentioned above has been a driving force for the search of a cure for Alopecia areata and it is also an explanation why some patients will have their hair back after many years of being afflicted by Alopecia areata.

So, do not be discouraged and keep your head high!

Joshua

My previous series of blog about Alopecia:

1. Explaining Alopcia areata and the immune system.

2. Understanding the Lymphocytes found around the hair follicle.

3. Alopecia areata as auto-immune condition.

...etc.