Joy After Alopecia is knowing when to say “No” to medicine

Joy After Alopecia is being okay with “Saying No To Drugs”

After watching what drugs and medicine in general did to my dad’s quality of life, I vowed to never let medicine interfere with my quality of life. Since being diagnosed with Alopecia Areata by Dr. Osei-Tutu June of 2018, I knew there was a plethora of treatments and medicines that might be part of my journey. The first stop on my Joy After Alopecia treatment journey was a topical compound, whose active ingredient was monoxdil, the same ingredient in Rogaine. I applied it twice a day and quickly saw hair growing back on my head. Unfortunately I had hair growing on my face and forehead as well. When I had to get my forehead waxed I knew there was a problem. Thankfully I was able to adjust the application of the topical so I didn’t become part of the “Beard Gang.” The one positive was that my eyebrows became super full. In fact the lady who threads my eyebrows literally told me one time, “I want your eyebrows.”

Stop #2 on the Joy After Alopecia treatment journey was the injections, which didn’t start until September 2018. Injections every other month in conjunction with the topical proved to be great. I also was increasing my intake of green leafy veggies like asparagus, kale, spinach and broccoli. I also was working out every day and feeling great.

Stop #3 on the Joy After Alopecia treatment journey was Vytorin which I got in March 2019. This medicine is actually used to treat people with high cholesterol, but has been proven to help those suffering with Alopecia Areata. I only took this medicine for a a month and didn’t experience any growth or side effects.

Stop #4 on the Joy After Alopecia treatment journey was Vitamin D. Actually, I was instructed to take a high dosage, 50,000 IU of Vitamin D weekly for 12 weeks and then take 1,000 IU daily after that. Within the first month of taking the Vitamin D, I noticed hair was growing back.

Stop #5 on the Joy After Alopecia treatment journey was Xeljanz. Xeljanz is what is called a Jak Inhibitor

Hear more about my experience with the abovementioned medicines: https://youtu.be/3wPNRZnGAIU

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