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I need some help
Hi everyone, my name is Christine and for the past 7 or so months I've been losing my hair to AA. I have a VERY complicated situation in my mind, and I keep telling my boyfriend that I need a doctor that specializes in me! My hopes for writing about my circumstance is that one of you will be able to point me in the right direction. I lost my mom in August, and she was my #1 supporter for everything, and not having that now is very very hard to handle.
Anyway, so i'm a 21 y/o female, and i'm from Boston, MA. Growing up I was ALWAYS heavy. I played sports, ate relatively healthy, but I just could never shake the weight. My family, on both sides, is also very overweight and 6/7 kids on my Dad's side have had the Gastric Bypass. I began my journey to the bypass in February 2012, and by May 2012 I was on the operating table. I was a healthy, thick haired girl, just craving for normalcy and to be a healthy weight. So I get the Bypass at 18 years old, and in September I move into college. It was by far one of the best years I've ever had. I FINALLY felt comfortable with myself, and I seriously felt beautiful.
I ended up transferring to another school, and I definitely had more stress on my shoulders. My mom was starting to get really sick, and I wasn't a fan of the school. I met my boyfriend, and began on Birth COntrol. I've never been a fan of taking the pill, because I had taken it before and it made my body feel all out of whack. Anyway, around February of 2014, I started experiencing symptoms of Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and I went to see an Endocrinologist who wasn't the biggest fan of the bypass and really spent the whole time harping on that. He gave me a blood sugar tester, and I was on my way. Oddly, the hypoglycemic symptoms subsided, but I still experience "low's" every once in a while. At this time, I took up running. I was running about 9 miles per week, which was a lot for me, but I loved it. My diet was "ok" for someone living at school on a strict budget.
When I moved out in May, I noticed a small patch on the back of my neck. I went to see my primary, and she did tests and I was iron deficient, and my Ferritin was at "7." I was terrified. I received 2 iron infusions, and since I have not had a problem (fingers crossed) with keeping that level high. Over the summer and fall i've lost almost all of my hair on my head, and I'm struggling to feel beautiful. I have acne EVERYWHERE and I have never ever ever EVER had acne before.
With the symptoms I've described, it makes me think that I need to transition from traditional medicine to functional medicine and look at a more holistic form of healing. I have an appoint for food sensitivity testing on 2/10, so i'm praying that will give me some answers.I guess from what I've described, i'm looking to see what you all think I should do? I want to take advantage of living in Boston and all of the doctors here, and I was looking to see another Endocrinologist at Brigham and Women's.
I REALLY look forward to any responses!
Christine
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Debs on
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Hi Christine, I think you would be best to get back to basics, you mention having an 'ok' diet, please look at Dr Joel Fuhrman's website and eat for maximum nutrition. Unless your diet is really good your options will be pretty much drug based. I would also look to reduce your stress and also help yourself with the loss of your mother which is a terrible blow for you by considering gaving a regular yoga and guided meditation practice in addition to your running 9 miles a week. Focus your energies on getting as fit as possible with an excellent plant based diet (as per Dr Fuhrmans website/books) and exercise. Of course find yourself a dermstologist that specialises in hair loss to see if they can recomnend some treatments too but look at the big picture and focus on getting fit.
You have done really well already losing weight and running, you have a great foundation to work on. I am sure your overall health will improve if you get fitter.
It is still very early days from losing your mother, be kind to yourself.
Good luck.
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Permalink Reply by Robin on
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I am sorry for all you are going through. I too, lost my mom at age 19 and she was my everything. I failed my semester of nursing school at that time. I had patches of hair at age 17. When I went on the pill is when all my hair fell out. I attribute this to the hormone changes. When I got pregnant is when my eyebrows and lashes fell out. They grew back with my first 2 children but did not after my 3rd and 4th. I still do not have any. With my last pregnancy at age 38, I became iron deficient and was put on iron. I would definetely follow up with the endocrinologist and food sensitivity. More important, seek a grief counselor. I lost my son to, at the time were good friends, only to find out he shook my baby causing horrific brain damage. I went through grief counseling which helped me to cope with the loss. It did not make it easier but did help. I think stress has alot to do with it too. Good luck to you!!
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Permalink Reply by Behxo on
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Hi Christine, I'm a 24 year old female that suffered from AA but had times of remission until suddenly I lost all of it on my head and now losing my eyebrow and eyelashes. I also live in Boston, I sent you a friend request so hopefully we can get to know each other and try to figure things out!
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Permalink Reply by fitblondebrit on
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Hi Christine.
I'm a very firm believer in clean eating and exercise. I sincerely believe that anyone who eats clean and exercises, will reap some pretty awesome benefits.
My advise to you would be to join a gym and eliminate all the junk/processed food from your diet.. Set yourself a goal at the gym.. An hour 3 times a week, to begin with. You could do a 1/2 hour cardio and 1/2 hour weights or machines..
Don't despair..easier said than done, I know. And don't compare yourself to others at the gym, unless for inspiration.. I think you'll start to feel so much better and your skin should clear up, on a clean eating lifestyle..and exercise ..
I can't help you with the hair loss... I'm losing mine too. But being the best I can be and healthy in other areas of my life. Helps me cope in areas that aren't so great, such as my hair..
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/livestrongcom/clean-eating-5-simple-s...
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