Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Michjo57 on January 5, 2013 at 10:36pm

I have the Ophiasis pattern too. We have to remember we are more than hair. You just think of your baby. I would look into Doterra certified therapeutic oils. They can be taken during pregnancy. Just make sure the ones you take are ok. Check out the ones for emotional healing. I've been using them for fear and anxiety. They r helping. I'm using them for hair loss too. Go to essential.me for more info. God bless. Time heals honey. I've told everyone about my hairloss. Seems to help not keeping it inside. There are beautiful wigs out there. I know it's scary but be strong and proud. I'm glad we have that option. Don't fret. Keep the faith.

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Permalink Reply by Eli on January 5, 2013 at 11:33pm

Thanks, Michele! I really appreciate your encouragement and suggestions. I'm trying to stay strong, but feel very up and down about it all. I'll keep trying.

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Permalink Reply by Eli on January 10, 2013 at 10:35am

Thanks! That's exactly what I've been doing! It does help, you are right.:)

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Permalink Reply by Natasha Gehrke on January 10, 2013 at 9:19am

Losing your hair can be really hard especially when it happens later in life. Mine has been falling out since I was a little kid and I've come to be grateful because my hair doesn't define me but it has made me a stronger person. Your friends and family will love you no matter what you decide to do but you should do what is going to be the best for you and no one else. If shaving your head makes you comfortable then do it but be sure you're really doing what you want. I did some research and I believe that if your hair falls out after I think it was 30 it is more likely to come back then when it falls out at a younger age. Stress can make it worse and prenatal vitamins can help your hair grow. Just remember that no matter what happen with your hair your baby is going to love who you are not what you look like. My nephew is 3 and he thinks it's fun when he gets a haircut because he looks more like me. He always has to point it our. =)

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Permalink Reply by Eli on January 10, 2013 at 10:44am

Natasha, thanks so much for your encouragement. That's so cute about your nephew!

You're right -- my friends and family (at least the ones who know about my AA) have been really supportive. I think developing AA later in life is hard for me in large part because it's just still so new, and I'm still trying to get used to the unpredictability of it all. Hopefully that will come in time.

Again, thanks for your kind words!

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Permalink Reply by AJ on January 11, 2013 at 3:56pm

Hi Eli!
I don't know anything about whether the treatments you're asking about are safe during pregnancy, so can't advise on that I'm afraid. However, just like to say congratulations on your pregnancy!
Totally hear you about the anxiety and sadness that the hairloss is causing you. It sucks! It's rubbish, and drains your confidence. But, you are strong enough to cope with it, you really are. And hopefully in time, the sadness won't be as intense as it sometimes seems. My advice is - vent your frustrations, surround yourself with people who make you feel good, distract yourself with fun and rewarding activities, and just be kind to yourself.

And - you're pregnant! This is the beginning of an incredible and amazing journey that's hopefully going to bring tons of joy your way. Try to focus on this, and all the wonderful times to come. Plus, pregnancy's a big deal in itself - it can take a big toll on your body - and your mind - with the tiredness and hormones all over the place! So just be extra nice to yourself.

Alopecia's rubbish, but we've also got to try not to let it take centre stage in our lives, even though that's incredibly difficult at times!!! Best of luck xx

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Permalink Reply by Eli on January 11, 2013 at 4:19pm

AJ, thank you! That's good advice; I really should start venting to people other than my beleaguered (but amazingly supportive) husband :) Looking at your past posts, it sounds like we are on a fairly similar journey with Alopecia (in terms of age, timing, type of hair loss). I appreciate the encouragement and solidarity, and wish you the best!

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Permalink Reply by Hildur on January 11, 2013 at 6:31pm

Hi Eli

I know how your feeling. I developed AA and Telogen effluvium on my third pregnancy. I was then 33 year old. I was about 25 weeks when my hair started falling out and about 2 months later it was almost all gone. Ther was not any effective treatment that I could get when I was pregnant and I decieded not to get any treatment while I was pregnant or breastfeeding. I shaved all my hair off when my littil boy was born and it was such a relife, I felt that I was sick when my hari was falling out and I was getting tired of cleaning all the hari all the time. I try not to think about my hairloss so much and is just enjoing beeing home whit my family and i´m still breastfeeding so there is not any treatment that i can gett. I still hope that my hair will grow back and I´m not going to loose that hope but I´m not going to let the hairloss effect how I feed my baby and he is so happy when he sees me and it dosint bother him or my other two children that I dont have any hari on my head. Hope you find away to accept this situation for now so you can try to enjoy your first pregnancy and use the oppurtunity to take care of you both physically and psycologicaly;) whish you all the best

Hildur

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Permalink Reply by Eli on January 11, 2013 at 9:36pm

Thank you, Hildur. It's good to hear I'm not alone in dealing with these kinds of problems! I definitely agree that feeding and caring for the baby has to be the #1 priority. Thanks so much for your encouragement and well-wishes!

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Permalink Reply by TamTam on January 11, 2013 at 6:56pm

With my second pregnancy at 32, my AA went into overdrive, eventually I lost all my hair on my head. I chose not to get any treatment bc. I was concerned for my baby. I've had AA since I was a baby, but this time my hair came out in clumps. This sounds very sad. However, there is a very large silver lining.
1. I have a beautiful and health baby boy. (actually 2 if you count his older bro!!)
2. I have no body hair really either, so my shower takes 5 minutes which you will learn with kids is very important.
3. My wig, of which I have several, is very nice and is usually styled unlike my former hair. In fact, I get a lot of compliments on how nice my hair looks.
4. Your baby will think you are the best no matter what bc you are mommy. :) babies don't care if you have hair.

Hope this helps!!!

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Permalink Reply by Eli on January 11, 2013 at 9:37pm

You are so right about the huge silver lining. I'm really looking forward to being a mom, and am trying to figure out how to take everything else in stride, like you have. Thanks so much for your reply! I really appreciate hearing from you.

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Permalink Reply by Deana on January 12, 2013 at 12:34am

I developed AA at the end of my pregnancy. It did turn to AU about a year and a half later. Getting a good natural looking wig and my eyebrows tattooed have been an amazing help in dealing with the hair loss. Only the people that I really wanted to know, know about it. However, my son is four and my hair is actually growing back A LOT. You never know what you have in store as far as your hair goes, but you are going to be fine if you can let go of worrying about it. Agreed...easier said than done. The joy your baby will bring you takes away the importance of your hair. My son knows me with a hat, with hair, and with nothing at all on my head and he loves me sooooo much any of those ways. It doesn't matter to him and your baby is going to be the same way. Just try to take care of your health in all other aspects so you can feel as good as possible during the times of being a new mom that are are physically draining (like waking up in the middle of the night. LOL) Maybe, just maybe, when the stress on your body of being pregnant, when you are all adjusted to your new life with your baby, and you forget about your alopecia as a problem, you will start seeing new hairs sprouting back when you least expect it ;D

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