Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by JeffreySF on March 23, 2013 at 11:52pm

Hi Annie,
I know what you are going through. Yes, the unknown is the most scary part.
I hope you respond to treatment. In the meantime my advice is to stay active with any support you have available.
I wish I had a magic wand to cure you but as we all know this is impossible.
Hang in there and be well.

Jeff

Permalink Reply by Auntie Sheila on March 24, 2013 at 12:09am

I have been there, I sure wanted someone to tell me anything. I am sorry you are going through this. I wanted to tell you two things. First, when I was losing my hair, feeling my hair falling out was so traumatic. I eventually had to shave my head and although I cried for a very long time, it was easier than feeling handfuls of hair falling out in the shower or on my pillow. I want to encourage you ti be brave if you have to shave your head. Being bald was easier than going bald.

Second, I buy my wigs from Paulayoung.com and usually buy synthetic whisper light short wigs. If you don't like it, you can exchange it. They last about a month to two months. Buy the shampoo and leave in spray conditioner. I always had long hair and it was hard to go to short hair, but once I did, I was so happy. The long hair created more friction and felt very unnatural on my skin. It would tangle on my neck, kind of like a Barbie doll left out too long.

Again, I'm sorry you are going through this and pray your treatments will help!

Permalink Reply by Auntie Sheila on March 24, 2013 at 12:18am

PS, in paulayoung.com's defense, I didn't try one of their long hair wigs! They may do better than the long ones I did try. Whisper light fiber feels like real hair and I have had many people ask me who cuts my hair! The worse thing from paulayoung is that often they discontinue their styles, so I have to find something new every 6 months or so. But I guess it's good to get a change. I usually pay about $40 each, buy two of the same one at a time so you have a spare, in case you get caught in a storm or something crazy happens to your hair!

Also, headcovers.com is a great website for hats, eyelashes (which I never got them to work right), shampoo, scarves, etc.

Sorry if this is too much information, I just know I had such a hard time, I want to help you out...one book that really helped me was "If your hair falls out, keep dancing." It was very encouraging!!!

God bless you!

Permalink Reply by somegirl on March 24, 2013 at 1:03am

One of the worst things for Alopecia is stress. Which is lame, because how can you not stress about your hair falling out?! I try to recognize when i'm feeling anxious about my hair (which is a lot) and find ways to calm down. I love mint tee, that helps, and there is a natural anti-anxiety supplement called GABA that i take. I love it, you should check it out. And good luck, alopecia is a tough road. Make sure you have good friends around you. I don't know how my friends dealt with me last spring when all of my hair fell out. But i'm so glad that i had them.

Permalink Reply by Weston D on March 24, 2013 at 1:25am

On of the benefits of being a bald actor is that you can have any hair for any role you want if you make a collection. I know a few alopicians who have wigs for all occasions!

Permalink Reply by Annette on March 24, 2013 at 4:59am

Have you been presrcibed any new meds in the last month or so because thats what caused my hair loss
Trust me been there done that with Dermatologists spent a fortune did no good also lots of other things did it work no spent hundreds of dollars later still lost my hair. The problem with Alopecia is everyone's story is different think about any changes to diet meds or any thing what worked for me might not for you. But I did start to take Silica gell and I have 100% hair growth but thats bcause the side effects after lots and lots of seaching it was the medication I was put on in just 11 weeks I went from long thick hair to almost bald I want to let you know it's not easy to loose your hair but you will adapt and I hope that you don't so good luck stay positive and smile no matter what.

Permalink Reply by Rhoda on March 25, 2013 at 8:56pm

Hi Annie! :)

It has been a month too since i was diagnosed with AA. Oh, how devastated, shocked and scared I was! I still am now, actually. There isn't a day that I do not think about it. But we can't give up and let the bastard take the best of us, can we? :)
I'm no actor but I feel you, girl. Look at the bright side. You can wear all the hair styles you want and need for the roles. :)
Good luck and God bless you. Hugs!

Rhoda

Permalink Reply by ali on March 28, 2013 at 9:16pm

Hi Annie, I am new to this website and after reading your email can totally relate. I am 40 and 3 years ago had my first bald spot. I had injections and felt like I was living a nightmare. I was also going through I V F . which wonderfully led to a pregnancy. Anyway hair improved until 4 months ago and am back in the nightmare again. This time it's a more diffuse thinning and with some spots of baldness. GP not much help, dermatologist not much better just gave me a pamphlet on wigs. Was told it was probably A A . Saw an endocrinologist who did testosterone bloods but they returned normal.
I too am scared, I tend not to check in the mirror, guess I am in a bit of denial still. I looked today and yes it's worse.
I wish I had the guts almost to shave of the rest and say to he'll with it but .... so far I haven't.

As far as help goes I take it you have had all blood tests ie thyroid, hormone levels to rule out medical conditions?
All I can say is yes it's Damn scary and you certainly are not alone. It just feels it . Hang on in there and it's great this site exists.