Leanne Flavell - Age 26, Alopecia Sufferer for 8 months
Medication - steroids, tablets form called prednisolone 5mg to be taken 6 tablets a day for 14 days then reduce the amount to 3 tablets a day for 14 days then come off the medication. Also given a steroid based cream to rub on thinly over my scalp called dermovate, this has to be done once a day no more than two.
This type of medication has been given to encourage hair growth has I have the signs of hair regrowth but this is quite common. It's a thin blonde in colour covering over the scalp.
Date stared this medication- Friday 15th April 2005 date due to finish this course- May 13th 2005. I have been instructed to continue using the cream after this date.
Then asked to attend the dermatology department nine weeks from the start date of the medication to check the progress.
DAY 1 FRIDAY 15TH APRIL 2005
I was asked to today if I wanted to try this medication, I was horrified when the consultant said the word steroid! I don't know why but I associated this medication with body builders and weight gain. I was advised that this was possible as I would suffer appetite increase which made me laugh as I can eat at the best of times I love my food! He went on to explain that yes I could gain weight but it would be me that would be putting the food in my mouth for this to happen and just to monitor what and when I was eating which sounded reasonable and so very true. So I agreed to take this course of medication to see if it would make any difference to me over the coming weeks. I went to my local chemist to pick up the tablets, he advised me through personal experience to take these tablets after breakfast in a hope that it would help me not feel quite so hungry. As this is such a high dose of steroids to carry a blue card with me in case I am in any kind of accident this would just let the medics know I was on this medication as if it was to be stopped promptly it would cause my body to go into stress. Off I went blue card in purse and had the first 6 tablets all in one go as directed. I feel good knowing I am trying something to help with this condition. Although I know and have been told several times it may not make any difference at all. What works for one may not work for another person.
WEEK 1 22ND APRIL 2005
I have being waiting for the tablets to make me hungry. Which they did! I know it's only been a week but I am definitely hungrier unless it's because I am expecting to? I keep looking in the mirror at my patches to see if there has been any change? Which there hasn't? I keep having little hot flushes which make me feel a little uncomftable. Don't know if this is related to the tablets or not as I have not read the side effects. But I am ok feeling good.
WEEK 2 29TH April 2005
I had a crap nights sleep last night feeling really restless don't know why. These hot flushes make me wake up I really am not sure if this is the medication or not but I don't normally have trouble sleeping. It s very strange. I have been applying the cream on my scalp as directed leaves a bit of a strange smell so I have stared to put it on when I am at home and don't have to wear my wig. I then have to wash it out before I go to bed otherwise my pillow would smell of it. It's not unpleasant but I would rather not smell of it.
WEEK 3
Starting to feel a little tiered keep having restless nights sleep, had work today and was feeling hungry all the time but that is quite normal for me. I keep trying not to think about the medication. Just get on with it and see if it makes any difference at all. I am not sure it will but it's worth a go. God I am starving!
WEEK 4
Ok I still see no change to my hair growth I am still as bald as I was to start with, I can't see any difference is I am a little disheartened but I guess I have not lost anything. But I have gained a good three pound in weight. I did not think I was eating more but appently I have been. I have been genuinely hungry though shaking and everything. My mum has to have these kind of tablets for her asthma and it does not do this to her. Just goes to show the tablets can affect people in different way. I have no hair but I least I have tried something. I was talking to young girl who had this medication and it worked for her. Ooh well it was worth a try.
