A Scar is Born...Part II

Wait....Lichen Plano who????.....

December 9, 2019

In November 2019 during Thanksgiving Break, I found out that I had a scalp disorder called Lichen Planopilaris. I had to ask the nurse to spell it over the phone a couple of times, because I had no earthly idea of what this was. I've heard of Alopecia, but what the hell? I scheduled an appointment for December, but in the meantime I had to look this up.

As soon as I got off the phone, I looked up Lichen Planopilaris. I read that it is a type of scarring hair loss when a disease called Lichen Planus affects the skin where there is hair. It is considered auto immune because it's linked to the immune system. However, the cause is still unknown and it usually affects young adult women. The hair follicles are somehow under attack and its slowly progressive. The symptoms include itchiness, pain, tenderness, burning and discomfort. To determine the diagnosis, a scalp biopsy has to be done. Hair is easily pulled out and is replaced by a scar. There is no way to recover the hair loss.

WOOOOSAHHHHHH!!!!

So, November was a trying month for me. My grandma was admitted to the hospital, because she blacked out and fell. We had no clue how long she was on the ground. My boyfriend, cousin and I had a minor (we thought it was minor at the time) accident in my newly leased car (R.I.P Niti because she was totaled later) and then I find out that I had a scalp disorder that resulted in permanent hair loss. At that point, I was desperate to solve one of these problems. I prepared myself to take any advice that my dermatologist had for me. I wasn't prepared for what she had to say.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” -Proverbs 3:5-6

Treatment or Nah?

A Yeeaarrr?!?!

On December 4, 2019, I went to my follow up appointment. The first thing the dermatologist did was give me a printable with information on Lichen Planopilaris. She informed me that it was slow but very aggressive and insisted that we started treatment ASAP. I was immediately overwhelmed but ready for whatever (lies). She said that most patients get steroid injections and take antibiotics for a year. Stop the tape! (Me: A yeeaarrr?!? in my Soulja Boy voice). If the symptoms get worse then she might have to add this medication called Plaquenil which they give to Lupus patients. When I tell you that I was DUMBFOUNDED, but desperate.

Curls Poppin!

Transparency moment..I'm vain. I just got my two strand twist technique down packed and my curls were poppin'. I just really started to love wearing my natural curls and could not see life without hair. So, I agreed on the treatment except for the steroid shots. The doctor prescribed me topical steroids, Ketoconazole shampoo (that same pink shit), and my first 30 days of Doxcycline. Did I mention that in the information that I received, there is no real proven treatment for Lichen Planopilaris? There are suggestions of medications that could work, but it's trial and error. So what does that tell you?

Happy New Year???

On the record, I am totally against antibiotics especially using it excessively. The idea of taking Doxycycline for a year was disturbing, because I knew what antibiotics can do to the gut eventually. My aunt who is a nurse suggested that I look into functional medicine because the doctors are trained to look into the root of the problem versus not only just treating the symptoms. I decided to look into it and on January 2, 2020 I had a phone consultation with a functional medicine doctor. She told me everything that I wanted to hear by getting to the root of the issue, using supplements based on my blood work and pretty much healing my gut which affects other parts of the body. This was so ideal for me, however it would be very expensive. Of course your insurance isn't covered. I can't remember specific cost but after the hour and a half visit which includes blood work, supplements and follow ups, you're knocking on close to a grand. (I will go into later how your health is worth all the money in the world).

I was still desperate and determined to find another way. I researched about autoimmune disorders and Immunologist popped up on my search. They specialize in allergies, asthma and autoimmune disorders. I thought it would be a good idea to try it because what I had was in that category. On January 17, 2020 I went to an Immunologist on the other side of town and brought ALL my medication. I was still taking everything that I was supposed to. To make a long story short, the visit was a fail. She insisted on an allergy test that would be placed on my back and I would have to come three times in a row to check the results. The office was 45 minutes from my house and the only available times were during the day. I just took my loss and kept taking my medicine.

Tired

February 1, 2020

Less than a week later my grandma died. To this day, that was the most difficult time in my life. My mom, sister and I were there when she took her last breath. My life as a whole felt like it was getting worse. The stress of everything took a toll on my scalp. I had to take Extra Strength Tylenol every 4-6 hours for weeks just to make it. My head felt like it was going to explode. It was like someone was taking a knife to a balloon waiting for it to burst. I began losing so much hair and by then I've taking antibiotics for 60 days. More symptoms started to occur; for example my scalp would crust over and leave large spots. I also had scabs that formed as if I had a head injury. I got my hair done for my grandma's funeral and my hairstylist Ann had to cover up a bald spot she noticed. That was the real beginning of my hair loss.

In February 2020, I decided to go back to my dermatologist and let her know my concerns. By that time I quit the antibiotics, because I just couldn't do it anymore. I decided to go to get steroid shots for the first time to take away the pain. My dermatologist didn't like that I stopped taking the Doxycycline because she felt like I wasn't being properly treated. She suggested that I switched to Plaquenil which is stronger. Did you know that when you take Plaquenil, you have to get a regular eye exams because it can cause distorted vision?

Anyway, as I prepared myself to get a steroid shot which I heard is very painful, the doctor said my scalp looked weird. She did a scalp test and I found out that I had a fungus. As a result, I couldn't get the injection. A week later, I got blood work to get approved for the medication I had to take for the fungus. However, for some reason I never received it. That ended up being the best thing that could have happened to me (Thank you God). That was the last time that I went to the dermatologist.

I don't know if my dad noticed a change in me, but he was very concerned. At this point the only thing I looked forward to in my life was my job (ironic). I had so much that had taken a toll on me personally. He suggested that I make an appointment to the Functional Medicine doctor and he would help me pay for it. This was the first of a series of changes in my life.

It's almost over!! Read, The Scar is Born: Part III to see what is not the ending but the beginning of a new life.

Beautifully & Fiercely,

Gia

"You don’t have to be one of those people that accepts things as they are. Every day, take responsibility for changing them right where you are."

– Cory Booker