Alopecia World
www.alopeciaworld.com
Help - newly diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia and don't know what to do
For the last 3 months I have been losing my hair at a very rapid rate - in total I have lost 50% of my hair (used to be very thick and full - my pride and joy). Just yesterday I was diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia (had a scalp biopsy - so it is definitive). I had convinced myself that this was a stress thing, so I am taking the news very very hard. My dermatologist was so unhelpful - she basically said that I need to deal with it and my hair will not come back. As it is progressive, it will only get worse. I begged for some idea as to what I could do but she said I could try Rogaine or eventually get a hair transplant - those are my only options. I had all sorts of tests done early and they were all normal (iron, vitamins, thyroid, hormones, etc . . .). I also had the symptoms of excessive hair growth on my arms and upper lip - so I thought it was a hormone thing. I spoke to my dermatoligst about this and she said there may still be something hormonal going on, making the situation worse. I will see an endocronologist in a month. What should I do in the meantime? Will all my hair fall out by then - will it slow down? I hope someone can share their story with me - I feel very lost and confused in this situation. Should I start wig shopping??? I wanted to try Rogaine, but I want to have another baby (have 2 kids now) and will try to get pregnant now because I do not want to start Rogaine now and have to stop when I get pregnant (all benefits will be lost). Am I crazy to do this - will I have any hair left??? I really just want to know about someone else's experienc with this particular form of hair loss. I know all situations are not the same, but I would feel better if I had an idea. Thank you so much!!!!!
Amy
Amy
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Amy on
-
Hi Julie - Thanks for responding - it is nice to hear from someone who has experienced what I am now facing. Its so scary, not knowing what is going to happen. I have had such excessive hair loss in such a short time, I am really hoping it will at least slow down. Did you experience this as well? If it continues at the rate it currently is at I am afraid that I will shortly have nothing left. It is the not knowing that is especially hard. I have made a promise to myself that when it becomes very noticable I will either shave it all and get a wig or get a partial hair piece. Having this resolve comforts me - it makes me feel that there is an option out there. I feel like it might even be a relief so I do not have to worry every day about how much hair I am shedding. I am amazed at how I am handling this process of acceptance. One minute I will be crying and the next I will be searching online for which wig I will eventually be wearing. It really is a roller coaster. Overall I think that the hardest thing is that I am not getting much help/information/support from doctors. It was pretty much stated that I could try rogaine or a transplant - other than that there's nothing that can be done. I suppose this is true, but I can't help but feel that there must be something that I am missing. I kept vacillating between wanting to fight it (and believing that I can) and wanting to give up and just shave it off to be done with it. FPB is just so final. I do feel bad for my kids. My husband has male pattern baldness (started before he was 30) and now at the age of 28 (my current age) I have been officially diagnosed with female pattern baldness. Quite a thing for them to look forward to - I have had some laughs imagining the reaction of their future boy/girl friends. :) (Trying to maintain a sense of humor about the whole thing - not usually easy!). I'm really glad you responded - it is so nice to speak to someone in the same situation - I do hope we can continue to talk. I think that the only thing to do is accept what is given to us, but it takes time and it is so hard some days. I am glad that you are able to have some good days and I hope that we will both be able to be stong as the situations progress.
-
Permalink Reply by Gill on
-
Hi Amy
Welcome to the world of alopecia........its so varied, different for everybody, and a world that non of us want to be in. It is still a very new feeling for you to have been diagnosed. There are so many lovely people on hear that can give you not only advice, but emotional support as well.
I have AU and have done for 7 yrs, I have total hair loss over my body. I think your need to become as well read as possible, before you go to see the endoconologist. Ask as many questions as you want, especially regarding a pregnancy.
There is life with out hair ! It does take quite a while to become accepting of your condition.
Take a look at this site, it is quite imformative http://www.heart2hearts.co.uk/androgenetic-alopecia.html
There is always someone here to talk to, and some people have far more knowledge than me.
Dont do anything in a rush, think about what is right for you.
Good Luck
© 2024 Created by Alopecia World.
Powered by
