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Regrowth and more loss. How to get through a rough day?
I've been dealing with alopecia areata since January 2013. I really can't deal with the unpredictability this weekend! I have found more patches, and my hair shedding just won't decrease... but I have some regrowth too! The regrowth and the losses make me so confused. Obviously, it's awesome that my eyebrow and eye lashes are growing back, and its really great to see little bits of activity on my scalp patches... but most of them, especially my three huge ones, are completely bare! :(
What do you do to get through a day or a time when you are just feeling a bit down? I should be grateful for the good signs, but I can't help but feel so confused and sad.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Rose Marie' on
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Hi Epo
I feel like this is very much part of the grieving process around alopecia areata. The not knowing and not being able to control what is happening to you is very overwhelming. For me it was the biggest hurdle to help my daughter get over...we still work on this as alopecia is still very much part of her life.
The things that helped were to not focus on the uncontrollable (in this case with you, the coming and going of hair). I know this is more easily said than done as all you really want is for your hair to grow like it should. But that's something you just can't control. :( So, what I would suggest is finding things that you can control around your alopecia. You have got some choices to make on how you want to present yourself and what you want to say and do with regards to how alopecia is going to be managed for you.
This may be fully educating yourself and the ones you love on what this is doing to you and how you want to handle it. If you want to just be out and comfy... talk to the ladies here that prefer not to wear headcoverings and ask how they handled this for themselves. If you want to find an alternative for your biological hair, whether that be a scarf, hat, or wig. Do your investigating become proactive in working out what you need and want.
I know this is hard at the moment, but trust me you will find your way.
Hugs for you.
Rosy
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Permalink Reply by Jackie on
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Hi, I've had Alopecia since I was about 5 or so. And I lost everything, and I'm 16 now, with no regrowth. Recently I went to a Locks of Love retreat, and there was this counselor named Lynette. She discussed with us that it's hard to deal with regrowth because if it falls out again, it's that same feeling of loss. Since I have no regrowth whatsoever, I just choose to not care whether my hair grows or not. For me, if I think about my hair growing but then realize that it's been 11 years with no regrowth, it just becomes difficult for me. Anyway, it's amazing that you're getting regrowth!! And if you are starting to feel down or sad, maybe take a break from checking the patches and regrowth, and do something you like to do. Read, or listen to music to take your mind off of it. Music helped me a lot, and is still helping me. Well, I hope I helped :)
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Permalink Reply by Christine on
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This is what is so hard to deal with, you have hope, and hopes get dashed. I had this off and on thing for 10 years, which I know is longer than most. for me eventually my hair quit growing back normal, and now I have almost no bio hair save a small patch or two, the rest is those weird white hairs, that now cover my head,(which I now buzz off) I think back to the ups and downs and tho I would love for my old bio hair back completely I'm gratefu now not be on that roller coaster ride anymore. It was almost constant stress for me when I was shedding and never knowing if or when it would end. Everyone is different, and this may be the worse yours gets, and it could all grow back and this AA thing could end for you. But if it gets worse there are options, don't let yourself suffer if it gets to where you can't hide it anymore, become afraid of the wind, rain, or even a fan. It limits your life so much in that state, I got to where I couldn't do so many things because of my "hair" now I love the windy days, and don't even mind getting myself drenched in a downpour. I wish you the best. and I'm sorry your struggling right now with this...unknown. Hang in there ((HUG))
Christine
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Permalink Reply by Emily on
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I am sorry you are having a hard time. Some moments almost feel like a nightmare, eh? I know the feeling. We all find different ways to cope. It sure can be a challenge at times.
Recently, I stumbled across this book on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Regrowing-Hair-Naturally-Treatments-Androgene...
I found this book as I was searching for something (ANYTHING) I could do to treat my alopecia while I continue to nurse my four month old. In the back of the book is a self hypnosis cd. I started listening to the cd each day, and it has really helped me to focus on restorative, positive thinking about my hair. It is only 25 minutes, but the effect, for me anyways, lasts throughout the day. In my mind, I actually have hair growth. It feels great. I would definitely give it a try.
Hang in there. You aren't alone.
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Permalink Reply by Kim on
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Hi Emily,
Thank you so much for recommending this book!! Ive just checked out a sample on Amazon and it looks like it has all the answers Ive been looking for!
Everyday the people and the info on this site give me renewed hope and strength.
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Hi Christine & Epo,
I am going through the exact same thing as Epo & I am absolutely struggling day to day & been extremely tearful as of late. Thank you for your above message....It really rings true for me and gives me strength and hope. I strongly resonate with the "rollercoaster rides" and I do wish they could be over! I am thinking about "cover up" options now which has been traumatic in itself but I do look forward to feeling better & more confident about my appearance. Losing ones hair is definitely a grieving process but that we need to go through. We just need to hold on to the fact that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
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Permalink Reply by Jacob on
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If i had this problem i would wash my hair in the natural organic shampoo ( my father has hair loss and he using Arganrain anti-hair loss shampoo it's sulfate,dye,salt, alcohol free he statisfied with result maybe you can use that)...i have an old book and it says that for hair restorers there is a choice of lavender, lime, nasturtium, nettle and thyme so maybe you could ask at a Herbalist or Health Food store/shop and see what they have got there for hair...hope this helps..s
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I had noticed my hair falling out by the bunches. I had severe alopecia about 3 years ago and my hair grew back within time. However, it is thinner than ever. I was worried the alopecia would come back again leaving me with tiny bald patches. I was willing to try anything that would ease my hair loss/thinning. I have been using ArganLife Hair Products ( you should google it ) for about a week now. I have to say I am liking the results.I found this product from youtube www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJUrQ4eEFPU
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Permalink Reply by Stella on
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Hello.
I lost all of my body hair 2 years ago, and I did not get any regrowth until a month ago. The most painful part of my alopecia story was the hair falling out part. Once I shawed the head the pain went away, and I was OK for two years. But now I'm sometimes confused and scared, I feel that I hope too much, and I will be disappointed again. If you have no hair to loose you have no fear of loosing it. So I try to remind myself that no matter what happens I'm still myself on the inside and that will never change. No amount of hair growing or falling will change my life decisions. That's how I get trough. When I was the lowest for me this site helped the most. Photos of beautifull bald people, stories of hope, fun side of alopecia... It is all here for you and all of us.
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