1st derm appointment over

Afternoon folks.

Just had my first official dermatologist consult...180 Euro lighter but at least it confirms my own "internet" diagnosis! (I should've gone to Med School...15 minutes = 180 Euro!!!!!).

Too patchy for injections Dr reckons so we're going with cream for the arms and legs (yes it's there now too!) and scalp lotion for the bonce.

I'm doing accupuncture and mountain walks too - see if I can't get myself into a nice "zen" state of mind (if this is in any way related to stress, no harm in getting nice and relaxed too right?!).

I think I've turned the corner on the "acceptance" thing, I've told a few work colleagues and my friends/family. That was a worry, a weight off my mind when I told them all. Not sure what I expected their reaction to be, but they varied from disinterest to "that's terrible, would you like a pint" to genuine concern. But overall not a single bad/negative thing has come from bringing it up.

Like some others have said, and I think it's the best advice I've got so far, "just get on with it - it's just hair".

Hope everyone is having a nice 2011, stay well :)

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Permalink Reply by Adrian Theopulos on January 6, 2011 at 12:52pm
I'm having my first dermatologist consultation next friday, the 14th. I'm just relieved it's not the 13th. Wish me luck!
Permalink Reply by Greg on January 6, 2011 at 3:50pm
Great! Hey a good idea that I (of course) only thought of afterwards....write down all the questions you might have, you will forget to ask some things in the heat of the day, well that's what happened me anyway ;)
Good luck !
Permalink Reply by Adrian Theopulos on January 8, 2011 at 2:22pm
I will definitely do that, thanks! I'm actually way more exciting than I feel I should be--knowledge is power, I guess!

Thanks!
Permalink Reply by Christopher Blackett on January 16, 2011 at 3:27pm
Great approach. I've had alopecia for eight years, and letting people know about it has been the hardest part. However there is hope! I lost about 95% of my hair the first bout, as well as hair on my arms and legs. After the first attack though, my hair has generally stayed at around 80%, enough so that it's never noticeable to anyone but myself. I wonder what type of alopecia you have? Mine was simply areata, and the first attack lasted roughly 8 months.
Advice I can give (though you don't need it, you seem to be coping pretty well!) is exercise, diet, and most importantly, maintaining a proper state of mind. I read about all these possible cures, and I've tried em all. I'm 19 and have an absurd amount of cortisone injections (I feel like they help, though it's probably a placebo), applied a fortune of Rogaine (again, a temporary solution), but nothing is a better cure than exercise and staying positive. Whenever I get upset I just think about how lucky I am to have so many friends and family, and compare my situation to the mass multitude of people that barely get by in destitution and hunger.

The worst thing you can do is to hole and never leave your house. Stay active! There's a girl at my university with totalis who is a constant source of encouragement, as she leads perhaps the most active and enjoyable life I've seen.
Permalink Reply by Greg on January 16, 2011 at 4:07pm
Cheers for that Chris, I'll be honest, there were days a few weeks back (before I had accepted it!) I was feeling mighty sorry for myself....I think you are right though, it'll come back when it's good and ready, in the meantime best not to let it get you down!

As for the exercise, yep 100% behind you, healthy body healthy mind and all that.

Just signed up for a 25k mountain run in May, 110 days to get myself ready!

Happy new year!! :)
/Greg
Permalink Reply by Christopher Blackett on January 16, 2011 at 8:40pm
No problem! That run'll take things off your mind. Just to clarify, do you have AA or is it totalis? From the patchy description it sounds like it could be areata, in which case I'm positive that if you stay calm and not too stressed out it'll grow back. I know it'll always be on your mind, but focus on other things, pick up hobbies.
Also, I love fun facts about alopecia, but Al Pacino has alopecia, he just wore a wig a lot, but then it went away. There's always hope

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