Alopecia World
www.alopeciaworld.com
Alopecia areata for the first time at 32 years old
I am a 32 year old single mother who has just been diagnosed with a "very aggressive" form of alopecia areata (dermatologists words). It began with a small bald patch on the side of my head above my ear that sent me into a panic. I've always been the girl with hair that everyone else would kill for. I went to a derm who took one look and said areata and told me he was going to give me 15 injections into my scalp, I am in nursing school and work in the medical field so I was hesitant about the treatment bc I wanted to do more research first. I followed up with a derm in the building that I work and he confirmed the diagnosis, he hugged my head as I cried and said get the shots it will grow back. I believed him and got about 15-20 shots in my head that day. As days went on I found another spot and the first spot grew rapidly. I stopped the cortisone and sought out the opinion of a women's health doctor that also has an office in the building where I work. She examined my head and said "this looks nutritional, did you get blood work done" I told her yes and I got my blood work results to her asap. She looked at my results and chuckled and said "you're anemic" how did no other doctor notice this?!" (I saw rheumatologist, 2 derms 2 PA's and a nurse practioner that all seemed to over look my ferritin level of 8, she gave me iron, D3 and b12 supplements and told me To eat meat 3 times a week (having been a vegetarian for the last year I wasn't thrilled but was willing to do anything to correct this so I started eating meat and chicken again). Naturally I started reading everything i could find about iron deficiency hair loss and I was slightly relieved that at least I had an answer. But my condition worsened in the course of 2 months, I now have about 10 small spots and one huge one, one spot on the back of my head isn't bald it's just stubbly as if I shaved it so I'm not sure what that means. I've gotten my iron up a bit but the hair loss just keeps getting worse. I ordered a wig Bc I'm scared that I'll wake up with no hair and I need a way to carry on if that happens suddenly over night. And bc I need to show my 7 year old that nothing can stop me from living my life, the show must go on. Anyway I don't know what's going on why this happened to me now out of nowhere. Thankfully I have thick hair and have been able to cover the spots well but it still sucks as I can't put my hair up or do any real styles with it. I just want to know what other people think of my symptoms and different diagnosises. I've accepted that I could lose all my hair, I am prepared to wear a wig but I'm really hoping it doesn't come to that. I also have thinning hair along my hair line, seems like it's receding but no one in my entire family is bald so that makes me lean toward iron deficiency. Who knows maybe it's iron and alopecia. I'd appreciate any input or advice that people have bc I feel so alone. I've gone from happy healthy dating outgoing woman to anxious nervous insecure and I hate that my personality has been taken from me
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Tryingtodeal on
-
I am 34 and mine began as a small sopt and has grown into a 3.5 inch spot. I found another smallet spot just the other day. I have tried the topical treatment and so far it has only caused a little of what I call peach fuzz on a small area. I have been depressed about it all. I am going to try the injections too but from what I have heard it is not a guarantee. I was told mine was an auyo immune disease caused by stress and that I need to reduce my stress and change my diet to non inflammatory foods. I have already taken out gluten, butter, cheese, red meat which seems the opposite of what you were told. I have been anemia most of my life but my levels are normal now so I dont know if thats it.
-
Permalink Reply by Nataliel430 on
-
Yes I think stress played a major factor in mine. Nursing school, court with an unruly baby daddy for child support, working 40 hours a week and just the normal stress of being a single mom. But mine is pretty extensive and getting worse rapidly so that concerns me. The specialist I saw stands firm on her low ferritin diagnosis and told me that my ferritin levels need to get above 70 to see regrowth. This really sucks as I'm single and fear that no one will want to date a bald girl. Sounds shallow but society is cruel. I did invest in a human hair wig for just in case bc at this point I'd rather wear a wig then cover up this giant bald spot above my ear but I won't receive it for another 2 weeks bc it is hand made custom to my head. I work in an area that has a lot of orthodox Jewish people and some of them have wigs that look so real and beautiful so that gives me hope that Peoeple won't be able to tell if or when I chose to wear my wig. Hopefully yours stays in just those 2 areas. I feel like the injections made mine worse! The area grew soooo much after my first found but I got 2 more rounds anyway. It didn't help but everyone is different.
-
Permalink Reply by michellelc23 on
-
I am 32 and newly diagnosed too. This is hard, maybe we can talk to help each other.
-
-
This is by far one of the most difficult things I've ever had to deal with. I signed up for this site Bc I wanted to hear other people's stories and get support. So far I haven't found it very helpful, you can email me privately at lilnat52@aol.com (don't judge me I was 11 when I made it lol) or on Facebook. Natalie Lysiak. Since all this started I deleted all my social media apps off my phone but I still have access to them. I'd be happy to talk to you share stories and maybe weird cocktails that grow our hair back!
-
-
Okay I think I added you on Fb. There are some other people with similar names. Mine is Michelle Rogers.
-
-
Yes that would be nice, My friends dont understand how it feels. They just think of it as thinning hair they just dont get it.
-
-
I wouldn't wait to be AU or AT before starting xeljanz... if hair is very very important for you.
best of luck
-
-
Ya, i know how it feels. i got min at 30. Be Strong.
© 2024 Created by Alopecia World.
Powered by
