*Newbie*

Hello Lovies,

I'm new here and decided to tell my story about Alopecia. About 2 weeks ago after working out my son points to the side of my high ponytail and says, "Uh Mom, you have a bald spot." I just assumed it was the way I had my hair up or something up until I walked by a mirror and there it was, a bald spot almost 2 inches around! I was in shock! Called in my Husband to see and immediatley started Googling (I Google everything). After a few websites I broke down in tears thinking that this what it, my hair was going to fall out, end of story! Two weeks have passed and I went to the Dermatologist and it seems like both Docs I saw were just so non-chalant about it. "Oh yes, looks like you have Alopecia and it's treatable." I told him how my scalp has this slight burning feeling so he ordered a Biopsy to be done and put me on Prednisone for a few weeks. Since then I have found several more spots (mostly small) and I'm losing so much hair that my hair seems so much thinner from the long thick hair I used to have. I feel hopeless, my hair won't stop falling out to where I'm so scared to wash it, brush it, handle it, etc...Has anyone else had SO much hair fall out constantly? I'm not sure if ALL this hair is from the bald spots getting bigger or if I'm losing hair all over. I'm lucky enough to hide my spots right now but if they get any bigger I'm not too sure I will be able to. I'm already looking into hair pieces. =(

Anyways, I joined this site for support and for info from people actually dealing with this disease. I don't know too much about this disease other than the vague info my Derm told me and some websites that freaked me out. Hopefully this will pass and "run it's course" like my Doc says. (((Praying)))

Hope you all have a great day! :)

~*~Mel~*~

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Permalink Reply by AK13 on May 20, 2013 at 8:59pm
I just joined too. Just wanted to say hello and you are not alone.
Permalink Reply by Mona on May 21, 2013 at 12:03am
Hi, I'm going through what you are going through. I'm a newbie too and yes, apart from the bald patches, my hair is falling out so much it's freaking me out. I don't dare to wash, comb or even touch my hair for fear that it would trigger more hair loss. Like you, I can still cover up the bald patches but don't know how long I can do that for. You are not alone!

Is your AA triggered by stress? I know it's one of the causes but I seriously don't recall ever being in a very stressful situation over the past few months. My family has no history of AA either. How could have happened?
Permalink Reply by Mel on May 21, 2013 at 1:12am
Hi Mona,

Stress is the only thing that I can think of that has triggered the AA. I've talked to my family and both sides have never heard of this disease. Both sides of my family all have full heads of hair...even the grandparents. I had blood work done and I don't have any other autoimmune diseases and my blood work was great, I haven't been battling this since childhood (I'm 30), etc...So none of this makes sense! I'm not stressed right now but I did go through a stressful time awhile back. That's the only thing I can think of. I had a Biopsy done and I go back for the results on the 28th and then I'll have my first round of shots on the 29th. I'm praying that because I don't fall into any of the categories for developing severe AA that my case will be and stay mild. I can deal with the bald spots since they're easily covered but I can't deal with the constant shedding. This has been such an emotional wreck and I'm sure you know exactly how I feel.

Have you seen a dermatologist yet? I hope your situation is mild too. Hopefully our hair will grow soon and never fall out again! ;)
Permalink Reply by Kate on May 22, 2013 at 3:52pm

My doctor said that someone else in the family could have a very minor form (such as a patch missing in leg hair, or facial hair) and probably wouldnt notice. I don't know how true that is. Its a weird thing that something apparently caused by stress develops in a way that causes you the most stress possible. It's a good idea to join this site though because people on here know what its like and it really helps to know you're not alone.
I found a bald patch last year (I was 24) and had never had anything like this before so I know what you're going through, its crazy and terrifying and almost embarrasing. I found wearing a scarf helped because you didnt have to see the hair falling out all of the time which is one thing that I totally hated.
Good luck with the shots and the biopsy, I hope you're over the worst of it :D
x

Permalink Reply by Mona on May 21, 2013 at 6:15am
Yes, I can totally relate to you. At times I feel like I'm gonna have a nervous breakdown. But other times I feel like I can conquer it. I'm on an emotional roller coaster!

I've seen a dermatologist and he gave me the impression that my case is mild. But with all those hair falling out, I'm fearing for the worst! Ya, let's hope our hair grow back soon and that we never have to deal with this again! Keep us updated on your condition ya?
Permalink Reply by Mel on May 21, 2013 at 2:27pm
Seems like we have the same situation and yes hopefully our Docs are right and it is mild. I'll def keep you updated and you do the same! Take care! :)
Permalink Reply by kathie on May 21, 2013 at 5:17pm

Hi,I was in the same situation in November 2011. By Jan 2012, all of my hair was gone. I went to doctors frantic to find a solution and got the same reply. I tried a steroid spray but got no results. After it all fell out, the doctor said there was nothing left to do, have a nice life, it may come back, it may not, if it does, it could fall out again. How helpful and comforting is that? Ultimately it is about adjusting to what is happening to you. I am still doing that. I bought a wig but I have chosen not to wear it. It is not easy but it is easier now.

Permalink Reply by Tony on May 22, 2013 at 8:29am

My daughter was a student at a major university and her hair was falling out in large clumps also. Ultimately it was mostly gone and we invested in a wig. For a teen away at school it was traumatic. What was most encouraging to us was the comfort her friends provided to her. Her closest girlfriends went to every doctor appt. with her and her boyfriend stuck by her totally. Slowly but surely through a combination of a recommended diet, cortisone injections, exercise to relieve more stress and some prayer, her hair is starting to come back slowly and she has now set aside the wig and has "short hair". We don't know if it is temporary or permanent. None of us go through life without some challenges whether they are physical, emotional, financial, etc. The measure is how we stand up to them. Expect that your emotions will change continually and that you'll need support but also know that you will overcome this and any obstacle if you and only you decide that you will not allow it to defeat you...and you have friends here who will always understand.

Permalink Reply by Sara on May 22, 2013 at 2:00pm

Hello!
I also noticed just one spot behind my ear in 2010. It was very small, I thought it was a bug bite! I was shocked by the next few months when I noticed another bald spot and the first one was also getting bigger. I then went to a doctor and was told I have Alopicia. I tried everything! I think we all go through it. Needles and creams mostly but it still fell out. I think I cried everyday for a year! It sucks! ALOT! lol I hid it for a while but about 7 months later I was ALWAYS wearing a hat, till I got a wig finally. Shaving my head was the best feeling ever! Its so hard keeping up with hiding it constantly that I drove myself crazy! I hope that if this is what your going through, that my experience can prepare you for what MIGHT happen to you.
I've learned that this has more of a mental effect on you than anything else. Living and learning to accept and love yourself no matter what has been the biggest struggle of all. Your family and friends love you, and no matter what they always will! Remember that!
For me, I've since lost ALL my hair! The great thing is, shorter showers and incredibly soft skin! Would I trade it all to have eyelashes and hair again? Hell's yes! But we have to look at the bigger picture and deal with what's going on right now.
I'm happy to say after 2 years of being bald that I have since had hair grow back. I'm lucky and I'm aware that I could still loose it again. Not sure if it's my Oma who recently passed and told me that she's gunna tell God to give me hair back, or a herbal product I found from India,.. But I do know that once I started to accept it, it started to change. Mind over matter?
I wish you all the best of luck and everyone is hear to talk to if you need it.
Sara

Permalink Reply by Donna on May 22, 2013 at 3:04pm

Hi Mel,
At first it freaked me out too. My first spot came at 12 years old. The spots came and went...on and off and a varying degrees of sizes until 54. I would just go get shots and the hair would grow back. Once in menopause, I lost every strand of hair on my body. For me it has not been the end of the world. By the stories I have heard, everyone's experience is different. Try not to look at my story or anyone else's as what will happen to you. We are unique creatures. My experience with dermatologist are that they just don't know anymore then you and I do. The studies have not been done because only 2 or 3% of the population experience Alopecia.

My suggestion is to love yourself. Stand strong in who you are....you are not less then because you are losing your hair. Unique maybe...but that's kind of awesome (if you allow yourself to have a strong sense of self). Share with the world how awesome you are....Best wishes:)

Permalink Reply by ariel on May 22, 2013 at 6:24pm

Mel, many people have patches that come and go for years. Personally my AA started with me losing all my hair at age 4, then it all grew back from the time I was 6-19. Then from 19-23 I had patches that came and went but kept 95% of my hair. Unfortunately I'm one of the rare ones that then progressed to losing all my hair at age 23, and I've been hairless for 9 years now. But AU is rare! And since your AA started during adulthood I think they say there's a good chance it will get better or go away completely. I've heard the younger you are when it starts the more likely it will progress, so I was doomed. I'll say a prayer for you. But either way know that you're not alone. And I'm sure that this is not comforting to you right now, but if it does come down to it wigs aren't all that bad. I always had this awful vision in my head of having to wear a scratchy, obvious hairpiece, but it's not like that anymore. There's times when I prefer my wig to my old real hair. I can change it whenever I want, for me wearing a wig is easier than always trying to cover patches, and I don't have to wash it daily. I also don't have to shave my legs. :) I know this isn't comforting to you, but my point is no matter what happens you'll be okay.

Permalink Reply by Snowflake on May 28, 2013 at 1:46am

Hi Mel, wanted to say hello and welcome. You have come to the right place for information and advice. Even though we should be getting that from doctors, i find on here i have learnt so much and more importantly just trying to cope with the hair loss and all the emotions that come with it. You mentioned below your results come back today. How did you go? Cheers, Snowflake

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