If you had a disease where the only cure was taking a drug but with severe side effects that could also cause adverse symptoms would you take it?

[blondfrog]

I have alopecia and I have hair loss this doctor I saw last week told me there is this drug that would help bring your hair loss back and possibly your alopecia might go away for good, but it has severe side effects and she is going to be monitoring me as well with constant blood tests and check ups. The drug could also possibly cause lukopenia a disease that causes low white blood cells, cancer, vomiting and other stuff.

Updates

+1 y

http://imgur.com/a/w1Pyk
This is me now in the last 2 pics

Updates

+1 y

31 patients were tested on none got adverse effects and only 10 out of 31 patients had their hair grow back and then had hair loss again after being off the medication www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.../?report=classic
its a drug called methotrexate I have 2 other auto-immunes it could get rid of

[Beckz0811]

The drug methotrexate is used to treat cancer, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis which are all autoimmune diseases. The side effects are Megaloblastic anemia as it decreases folate in your body which is needed to make the products of your blood, I would assume if you took it you would have to supplement folate. It can also cause myelosuppression which decreases the activity of rbc, wbc, and platelets in your bone marrow. Another major side effect is it cause pulmonary fibrosis which means it can decrease the diffusing capacity of oxygen and co2 in the lung.

I think if you decide to do this, you should be watched closely like your doctor stated and ready for the possible side effects, and maybe other health issues that you might be left with. I think that even though its hard you should try and accept what has happened to you and try and embrace it. There are many men who are bald and its socially acceptable. I know it might sound crazy but there are eyebrow transplants which you might want to consider at least its on the surface and you wouldn't affect your body.

If you do wind up taking the medicine maybe just do it temporarily and if there are changes then discontinue it. Good Luck

[blondfrog]

Yeah I am gonna be taking folic acid with it as well. Eyebrow transplants are too expensive and I can't afford it. And it could attack those new eyebrows cause of my alopecia so...
maybe you're right though

[Purple_Daffodils]

And you have such lovely hair based on your picture. Ultimately it's up to you.

Guys with no hair is never a bad thing. It can even be sexy. Ever considered shaving it all off? Or keeping it real short?

I know you're still pretty young but guys in their early 30s start to worry about going bald. So hair loss is a general problem to the male population.
I know you have a alopecia and it's completely different to make pattern baldness. I'm just saying if you're making your decision based on how it will "look" then I wouldn't risk taking on another disease to cure one I already have.

[blondfrog]

That pic was 8 months ago this is me now in the last 2 pics
https://imgur.com/a/w1Pyk
And the hair loss is also on my eyebrows, mustache, beard I only have about 5-10% of facial hair left, pubes all of it, I have no hair down there, legs, and arms.

[blondfrog]

I also have hoshimotos and pernicious anemia and it could possibly get rid of both of those as well does that make a difference?

[Purple_Daffodils]

Yeah so you classify as hot. Nice triceps!

Seeing all the pics I still think you're attractive if you shaved off the excess of what's left on your head.

But if you're thinking about going for the drug. Go for it. What i think doesn't matter. It's all about you

[Purple_Daffodils]

Yeah do what you feel is best for you. There's really no right or wrong in this situation

[blondfrog]

Okay thank you :) that was really nice of you I am flattered :3 31 patients were tested and none had adverse effects and only 33% had hair growth and hair loss the rest had complete or up to 79% of hair growth without remission www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.../?report=classic

[Purple_Daffodils]

You're welcome.

So yeah if you've had it for less than 5 years 79% is a good chance. Also I just skimmed through it but, I noticed they said the drug was considered safe.

All the best to you!

[blondfrog]

Yeah that is true and I have had it for less than 5 years I've only had it for 1 and a half years and thank you I am going to try it I will post updates of progression and how it went. :)

[jmr2191]

I have most of this and I don't take such meds. However, treatment-resistant patients with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia do take such a drug. It's called clozapine (clozaril). Although there are significant adverse effects, the regulations in place make the mortality rate below average for medications across the board and it's an extremely effective drug. www.nami.org/.../...y.cfm&TPLID=51&ContentID=20850

[blondfrog]

Yeah I learned about that drug in intro to psyc class wait you have alopecia aereata as well?

[jmr2191]

Nope. I have a number of other congenital disorders and they are quite debilitating.

[blondfrog]

Oh hope you feel better

[jmr2191]

Thanks, but not gonna happen for me. Chronic and incurable. Treatable, but incurable. I'm still living a good life though.

[notcreativethough]

At best, you get your hair back and alopecia goes away. At worst, the medical information gained through monitoring you may help in the effort for better drugs for future sufferers.

I'd do it, good luck.

[blondfrog]

Thanks man I am going through with it for science :) and me

[JulieXO]

If the disease cause me serious problems, like hindering my physical and mental ability, I would take the drug. Hair loss, while unpleasant and annoying, isn't that big of a deal. Especially for guys - you cold look good with a shaved head. I think low wbc count and cancer are far more serious conditions, so no, i wouldn't risk it

[blondfrog]

I have hair loss on my beard I have no beard or stach any more lol, no pubes, hair loss on my arm, and legs as well I also have two other auto-immunes pernicious anemia and Hoshimotos and they tested 31 patients and none had adverse effects does that make a difference?
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.../?report=classic

[JulieXO]

Would the drug cure or improve your other diseases as well? Also isn't it kind of a good thing to lose your pubes? I mean there's less to get rid of rightXD

[blondfrog]

Yeah it can actually all methotrexate is is an immunosuppressant corticosteroid pill and it somehow neutralized the immune system it was originally meant to be made for cancer patients and it does help treat cancer, but it has been known to help treat or sometimes cure other diseases according to google https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=methotrexate on the right where it says may treat click on more and it will show other things it may treat Hoshimotos is one of them.

[blondfrog]

And auto-immunes can never be fully cured the best thing you could do is neutralize it so it never triggers again you will always carry the genes, but yes in a way you can cure it does that make sense? In other words the next best thing is to make it so the disease never turns on and actually acts up so for example someone who has the genes for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) the next best thing is for scientists to find away to make it that that person never has their own immune system attack their bones. Think of it like someone who is just a carrier for sickle-cell anemia, but doesn't actually have it themselves its kind of like that.

[JulieXO]

I see.. that kinda changes things. You also said that only around 30% of the experimental patients experienced the positive effects. If it can minimize the effects your AI diseases cause, I'd say go for it. I don't know how severe the possible side effects are though. You said it causes wbc deficiency and "other stuff". Is that other stuff really bad? because otherwise I guess it's worth a try :)

I don't understand how it can cause cancer though, since you just said that it is used to treat cancer patients...

[blondfrog]

Yeah actually 63% of patients had full hair growth and kept it 33% after being off the drug lost their hair again. And the 4% had no hair growth from the drug. It can cause cancer cause after taking the drug it is acting as antigen into thinking there is something wrong with your immune system and causing cancer its rare for that to happen though the thing is in the label of the drug anyone who gets any side effect and they have to report it. No one taking this drug had anyside effects so I am going to try it.

[theENFJ]

No. I was given that option for narcolepsy. I refused the drugs and went on a different route of treatment. Too much risk for dependency, bad side affects, etc. It's not the easy route, but for me it was the best. So it just depends on how quickly you want results when doing treatment.

[blondfrog]

What was the name of the drug?

[theENFJ]

Xyrem. Very risky, high dependency.

[blondfrog]

Oh mine is methotrexate 21 out of 31 patients grew full hair back with no remissions and all 31 patients had no adverse effects
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.../?report=classic

[blondfrog]

So do you think I should do it?

[theENFJ]

Ultimately, it's your choice. It seems you've done your research--always good, don't take drugs blindly. It also seems like it will do what you need it to, and the odds of losing your hair are high but not so high that it's definitely going to happen.

The question really is--can you manage without. Are you okay as you are with what you're doing managing, or do you need the extra boost.

Because if my Excessive Daytime Sleepiness would get any worse (and it looks, statistically, that it might) I would start exploring the medication option again. So it just depends, I suppose. I'm no doctor, sorry my response looks so wishy washy but I'm not qualified to say definitely yes or no.

[blondfrog]

Its okay thanks for your input

[theENFJ]

Alright. Good luck to you! Either way.

[blondfrog]

Thank you I am going to take the drug :)

[theENFJ]

Wonderful! I hope it goes over flawlessly. ♥

[blondfrog]

Thank you <3 you too I hope they find a cure for your nacrolepsy

[theENFJ]

That'd be the day! Lol. But research is underway. ☺

[blondfrog]

Yeah they are always researching one day :)

[mhaaa]

My sister has alopecia she's had it for 10 years now and she's completely bald
She used used to have such beautiful long black hair and perfectly shaped eyebrows
I would never recommend this drug for her or anyone in her situation.
Hair is just something shallow I don't want her to risk her health for it.
although losing all her hair has crushed her confidence but still it's not worth the risk.
Anyways you rock the bald guy look , So why change it ;)

Good wishes for you

[blondfrog]

Thank you I am going to take it. And hair is just not for looks just thought you should know that hair helps protects against the sun from getting sunburn, the eyebrows helps keep water getting into your eyes and bacteria, hair on your eyelashes helps keep dirt, bacteria, and sand from getting into your eyes that is why camels have such huge eyelashes. The doctor closely monitors you and so far none for the alopecia victims have gotten any side effects.

[Anonymous]

I know this is totally irrelevant but you look more attractive in my opinion with short hair.

Anyways, I'm having this problem too except it's a health problem (taking an optional drug to make something better but has scary possible side affects that I don't really want to risk) So... I can't really help here. I'm just gonna wait for more people to post opinions.

[blondfrog]

Yeah the treatments seems promising 21 patients out of the 31 were given the drug and they had hair growth for good and none had adverse effects I also have 2 other auto-immunes pernicious anemia and Hoshimotos www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.../?report=classic
and it could get rid of both those diseases as well its a immunosuppresent so this drug might be enough to make my immune system realize self from non self again.

[blondfrog]

Do you think I should do it?

[Opinion Owner]

Honestly I don't know :/ I'm struggling with my decision too.

[blondfrog]

Its okay I have battled this in my head for a long time so I am gonna do it I will post updates about how it went I have to get these certain blood tests first though before I take the drug to make sure I am okay to take it.

[existing_not_living]

Wear a tupee (pronounced TWO-PAY) lol I don't know if I had spelled it correctly so I sounded it out so you knew what I meant. I don't think its worth it to risk your life over hair.

[blondfrog]

I know what that is I am not that ashamed of being bald I go out all the time, but I think I am gonna do it anyways

[existing_not_living]

Why? I'm just curious.

[blondfrog]

Well its just not for that I also have pernicious anemia, Hoshimotos which are both auto-immune diseases as well and she will be monitoring me and it doesn't mean that I would get any of those sever side effects the drug is called methotrexate they tested this on 31 patients and neither got any of those adverse effects meaning severe this is a article on the test for alopecia patients www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.../?report=classic

[existing_not_living]

I read some of it. I don't think I'd be able to understand the rest with all that scientific wording. But I feel that 31 patients is not enough of a sample group.

[blondfrog]

what do you think is enough of a sample group a 100?

[existing_not_living]

Yeah, I think that would definitely be better. It would allow for a wider range of people to be included in the experiment.

[blondfrog]

Thanks for your opinion I am gonna do it I will post updates about how it went and pictures and videos thank you :)

[existing_not_living]

You're welcome. I really hope it all works out for you :)

[blondfrog]

:) thank you

[existing_not_living]

My pleasure :)

[been_waiting]

Okay, so to prevent going bald, you're gonna put yourself through physical hell and risk your life? Its just hair. It isn't worth all that.

[Klaatu51]

"Its just hair. It isn't worth all that." <-- how about waking p one day, check yourself in the mirror and realise that you're totally bald? LOL

[been_waiting]

@Klaatu51 better than not waking up because you're dead...

[blondfrog]

They tested 31 patients and none got adverse affects www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.../?report=classic
I also have pernicious anemia and hoshimotos

[been_waiting]

thats Just 31 people

[Klaatu51]

damn that's sad... if i had alopecia i'd even eat mice shit in order to cure it.

[blondfrog]

Its auto-immune so sometimes it goes away by its self but treatments could increase the chance of getting rid of it

[Part6fam]

I will do a lot of research to look for alternative routes.

[blondfrog]

My doctor is not giving me other options and the other derms didn't to shit. There is this drug they are researching on called xeljanz and it gave this guy all his hair back and its FDA approved to but my derm said I won't give that to you. and This new other drug https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruxolitinib

[Part6fam]

You are putting your body through a lot of strain, what's the harm of accepting yourself the way u are? I know this isn't what you want to hear but don't turn a blind eye to this response, positivity will take you far.

[blondfrog]

I have no fucking facial hair it pisses me off looks do matter not confidence taking a shower sucks balls too, the water gets in my eyes cause I have no eyebrows eyebrows help keep dirt and water and other germs away from your eyes. You are born with everything for a reason that is why most people have eyebrows

[blondfrog]

If its not such a big deal you shave all your head talk is cheap

[Part6fam]

I know, but make the best of what you do have, eat right, exercise, learn to love yourself and continuously work on yourself.

I am not Gods gift, I don't match up to those girls on magazines who every guy likes, but what I do know is that I will make the best out of my situation and I won't allow this life to take me down.

[Part6fam]

Actually, I think I may have cancer and I might have to lose my hair for chemo but I am staying positive, that's all I have.

[blondfrog]

Well I hope you don't have cancer I do exercise and eat healthy but I am sick with a stupid disease and I feel like its all for nothing.

[Part6fam]

I hope I don't have it too but I am reading books about it and how it's sooo important to stay healthy. Many people have recovered just by eating right and staying fit. Alopeacia is a bitch but u are putting your body through so much just to get your hair back, that isn't worth a disease like cancer. start focusing on the positive parts of your life ad take control of it.

[blondfrog]

Yeah maybe you're right

[Part6fam]

Good luck!! 😊

[blondfrog]

Thanks you too

[Part6fam]

Thanks 😊

[Thrifty]

No. I'd pray for God's healing because there can be miracles when you believe.

[croxy]

I'd do it.

[blondfrog]

Thanks man I am gonna do it