Comment

Comment by Chrisy, MA USA on January 29, 2014 at 12:21am

Hey Pam!! I am very happy for you. Could you share with us where your hairstylist is from and the name?? Also, does it look like real hair??i wish you could share some pics wit us...

Comment by Caro UK on January 28, 2014 at 6:12pm

Well done Pam! I agree with everything you say, especially about mourning for your lost appearance and coming to terms with it.  For me that has been the most difficult journey and I too have had serious reservations about the various drug treatments but accepted that all I could do was try what was on offer but I could not bring back what was lost and had to move on.  In the winter it is easier to cope with - I can go out wearing a hat and no one will take a second glance and know why I am really wearing one.

Comment by MJ on January 28, 2014 at 3:01pm

Pam, thar sounds super! So encouraging to know that wonderful options exist down the road if necessary. MJ

Comment by Pam on January 28, 2014 at 2:48pm

Thanks for your supportive feedback and comments - it all helps! I must admit it is still early days in terms of wearing my hairpiece, as I had it in December, and so it is only a couple of months, and I haven`t yet had hot sticky days to contend with...it may feel itchy and intolerable then!

I went to a hair/skin place and saw a guy there who was brilliant - he was recommended to me, as he specialises in fitting hair pieces and extensions for both men and women. He drew a template of my forehead and then had the piece tailor made, with fine European wavy human hair identical in colour and texture to my own. The hair is threaded onto a breathable see through piece, and taped in place with breathable wig tape. I can shower and wash my hair normally, and keep in on all the time for sleeping, cycling, wearing hats etc. It acts just like normal hair, so I need to style it with a blowdryer after I have washed it. It needs to be taken off every month so the skin underneath can be thoroughly washed and cleaned, which I can either do myself (by soaking it off for about 15 minutes) or I can go back to him and he will do it for me. I am due a colour treatment next week, so he will do both my own hair and the hairpiece.

The compliments from friends have been amazing - I look like I used to about twenty years ago, and they all say my hair looks fantastic, what have I done! I have just told most of them that I have got a new hairdresser, and had some  extensions put in as I wanted a bit more volume!

The guy who did it is genuinely good, and I have passed on details to Debs as she is compiling a list of recommended people for hairpieces and wigs.

Comment by sallylwess on January 25, 2014 at 10:20pm

I also am with you Pam.  It has been a journey, and it has taken some time, but I can say I have made peace, for the most part, with having FFA.  I am also trying to just live life in the most healthy way I can.  I know I can't reverse what damage has been done, and I will have to adapt by wearing a wig at some point.  For now, when I am getting ready to go out, I  just try to style what hair I have left, not fret over what is gone, and get on with my day.  I am also drawing on my eyebrows.  Who knew I would have to become an artist?

Comment by Jen on January 25, 2014 at 7:27pm

Hi Pam,

You share my thoughts on accepting FFA. I do not need a hairpiece just now but I will need one soon. I would like to know (if you do not mind) what type of hair piece you wear that is suitable for FFA and how you attach it.

Enjoy your holiday to Asia. 

Comment by Kath UK on January 25, 2014 at 5:34am

Good for you, Pam!  Well done. 

The only way I've found to cope with FFA is to do just what you're doing and basically get on with life.  I'm off the drugs too and am concentrating on being as healthy in mind and body as I can and feel thankful it's nothing worse!  The doctors are bound to find a cure eventually but in the meantime I'm determined not to let the loss of my hair interfere with my life. 

Your planned cycling holiday sounds amazing.   

Comment by Celia on January 25, 2014 at 3:59am

Sounds good, Pam - well done ! And great to hear of success stories from those of you on rogaine - all good news !

Comment by Pam on January 25, 2014 at 3:56am

I think that I have been through a terrible stage having to accept that I have got noticeable FFA, and learning to cope with the consequences of how I look, and how it affects my life style and freedom.

 It is almost like a process of mourning -  for my lost appearance, for limiting my freedom to feel OK about swimming, snorkelling, riding, cycling and having lovely hair, which I used to have!

I have had to come to terms with it, move on, and accept that this is something that I have got to deal with, and it could be far worse after all! I need to get it into proportion compared to other things that can hit you in life.This site has helped me enormously by sharing my feelings with other people going throught the whole thing.

I have become somewhat sceptical about all the various drugs that I have been offered, as I honestly don`t think that the medics are really sure, and we can give them a go, but nothing is definitely going to work.

 So at the moment I have decided to be positive, and try and feel better about myself. I have got a hairpiece fitted which makes me look a lot better, and I have cut down the drugs, and am currently just taking fishoil and organic turmeric, and trying to follow a healthy life style and be happy in myself, and not dwell too much on what is wrong! (Am just about to book a lovely cycling holiday in Asia!!)

Comment by MJ on January 24, 2014 at 5:43pm

Annie, my derm said the same about the rogaine. It keeps the follicles stimulated. My eyebrows had thinned but not sure if it was from ffa or menapause. Of course that was until this past Sunday when a freak flame ball shot out of my oven broiler right to my face. My hair got singed aa well as one eyebrow and some eyelashes. It was just a flash fortunately and my hair didnt catch on fire. But it was the last thing a person with ffa would need! My little brow nubs seem to have grown a smidge since then.

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