JAK Inhibitor for Alopecia

Hi! My name is Wesley Sternberg and I have been battling alopecia for a little over 2 years now. I prayed the day would never come when I’d lose all my hair because I LOVED my red hair. It completed me and gave me my unique sense of identity. December of 2020 was the first time I noticed handfuls of hair falling out into my hands. But this got better with time, so I thought little of it. However, my hair began falling again, and in October 2021, I was diagnosed with androgenic alopecia (hair loss around the scalp). At the time, I had recently torn my ACL and was preparing for a potential court case. Therefore, my dermatologist explained that the hair loss was likely due to stress. This went on for some time until eventually, my hair started to grow back substantially. This stage of regrowth was one of the happiest times in my life, and it gave me a newfound sense of optimism and joy. Once again I felt like myself, but these feelings were short-lived. In September of 2022, my hair began falling out again, except this time at a much faster and more daunting rate. I was then diagnosed with alopecia areata (circular bald patches all over the head). I desperately searched for a solution and eventually decided on steroid injections, which consisted of over 20 needles in my head. This seemed to work and I experienced some minor yet consistent hair regrowth. However, in December of 2022, in the span of 2 weeks, I lost 90% of my hair. I was diagnosed with alopecia totalis (complete hair loss) which was devastating to hear. As a teenage girl, I am yet to come to terms with the thought of being bald, and constantly wonder how I will ever be able to truly love myself again. Because as trivial as it may sound, I always felt my hair made up a huge part of who I was. As of right now, there’s no cure for alopecia as it is an autoimmune disease. But there’s ALWAYS hope. In 2022, the FDA approved a new JAK inhibitor drug for severe alopecia areata that has displayed great potential. The issue is that it costs $250 a month for the rest of my life after insurance. Since the diagnosis, I've tried various medications/treatments such as methotrexate, prednisone, clobetasol propionate, and minoxidil, but unfortunately have seen no progress. Over the last few weeks, I've watched and felt the harsh side effects of these drugs slowly destroy my body from the outside-in. Constantly waking up sick has made the smallest things become very challenging, and I simply didn’t have any motivation for anything or anyone. For the longest time, I tried to hide my hair and misery from others in any way possible— I routinely wore hats and hoodies, or simply stayed at home. I made excuses to get out of almost everything just so no one would see how sick and sad I was. But in these weeks, I have also been given a new sense of hope and optimism as I realize it can only get better from here! In the coming weeks, I hope to raise enough money to afford the new JAK inhibitor. But most importantly, however, I wish to share my story to spread awareness about the disease and inspire others to do the same. Because at the end of the day, anyone with alopecia is still beautiful and deserves nothing short of happiness in this world.