Comment

Comment by CJ- Christine from Ottawa Canada on July 28, 2012 at 4:44pm

HI all,
I'm also an FFA'er. I was diagnosed this spring. Ironically I run a national organization for people with skin diseases and I didn't twig onto the fact that I had this disease until it had progressed to 2 cm loss, no sideburns and almost no eyebrows. Go figure. Denial is a powerful force. I have a few other skin conditions, all connected with auto - immune stuff, but I'll confess this diagnosis has hit me hard. I've registered to go to the CARF conference in Boston in a few weeks, just so I can learn more. reading all the posts here and in other groups, the whole thing seems pretty hopeless sometimes.
I find it interesting that this may be not as rare as previously thought. It may be a question of raising awareness in our communities- getting people to see their doctors - to register in. Once drug companies see that there is a larger 'market' for their products and doctors see that their work could affect more than a handful of people maybe research into FFA would take off...
just some wishful thinking...

I'm on the anti-malarials, and a trio of topicals but the plaquenil makes me sick to my stomach - persistent diarhea.. On the plus side I'm losing weight, but I do spend far too much time in the loo. I expect that I can't continue on this, and will discuss with my derm next week.

anyhow .. is anyone else coming to this conference in Boston?

Cheers, Christine

Comment by Heidi Short UK on July 26, 2012 at 1:24pm

I know how you feel! I keep trying to put it into perspective, I have a lovely family and friends who will love me with or without hair, and i'm thankful its me and not my daughter, I couldn't bear her having to deal with it, with her whole life ahead! Talking of acid, over the past few years I've had a problem when I eat acid thing such as grapes blueberries or too much sugary things, like chocolate!I get an itching along my salivary glands from the bottom of my ear along my jaw line. It is an uncontrolable itch which i find hard not to scratch and it gets so bad it swells up so I look like a hamster!! This can all happen when I'm asleep and i wake up with the swelling. I've had dye put into my salivary glands and xrays taken but there are no blokages and the ENT consultant couldn't tell me what it is. So i've put it down to another allergy!

Comment by PamW San Diego, CA, USA on July 25, 2012 at 7:54pm

Just came back from my GP who gave me a scrip for Actos, but I don't want to try it until I get the go ahead from my derm. You have reminded me that there are more important things than my hair. I have been so consumed with myself, that I havevforgotten how lucky I am.

Comment by KarenGinny - Iowa, US on July 25, 2012 at 7:47pm

Pam, yes I've read about Lupus and they are some of the same symptoms so I have an appointment with a Rheumatologist to find out more. I also have thyroid problems and take synthroid for that. I had part of my thyroid removed about 7 yrs ago. Also have high blood pressure and am trying to lose weight through Weight Watchers. Lost 10 pounds so far but have more to go. With my feet hurting and swelling it's been hard to get much exercise. As if this is not enough, my 12 yr old son has moderate Autism and that takes up much of my time caring for him and my other son - 10 yrs old. I just can't afford to be falling apart quite yet!!! I'm hoping the Rheumatologist can help me figure out what's going on with me. I'm glad to know this group is here for support.

Comment by PamW San Diego, CA, USA on July 25, 2012 at 6:35pm

Very interesting. Did anyone mention Lupus to you? I have GERD, and must take meds to control my stomach acid. I have had acid reflux for years and wonder if that has somehoe affected how I metabolize. I am also interested in Actos. I only heard about one of you taking it and then stopping. Thanks so much for your help.

Comment by Heidi Short UK on July 25, 2012 at 3:01pm

With regards to your question of what meds I'm on I apply dermovate lotion twice a day and I take 1x Quinoric (hydroxychloroquine Sulphate)each morning and my reflexology lady suggested I take silica 4 times a day. I also try and do a high alkaline low acid diet ie. lots of veg and fruit. But unfortunately i don't think any of it is working. The reflexologist suggested I go and see a douser healer, but i don't think I will, I feel no matter what I do the hair will stop falling out when it wants too!

Comment by KarenGinny - Iowa, US on July 25, 2012 at 2:12pm

Oh I forgot to say that the hair at my neck line in the back, did eventually grow back in, but the hair in the front has not. Thus - FFA. also a lot of my major hair loss times appear to be at very stressful times of my life. And now my ANA is still elevated and I've been having trouble with pain & swelling in my hands and feet - my doctor thinks this is Rheumatoid Arthritis. I'm sure it's all related somehow. Anyone else have RA??

Comment by KarenGinny - Iowa, US on July 25, 2012 at 2:06pm

Hello, I haven't been on here for a while but thought I'd add my story. I was diagnosed with FFA this spring 2012 by my dermatologist. My hair and scalp problems began in the summer & fall of 2010. My scalp had been very itchy and irritated and I went to my regular doctor and she prescribed Derma-smoothe oil treatment, which you put on your scalp and leave on overnight. This was very difficult to use and didn't do very much good. I was using Neutrogena T-gel shampoo daily and it helped, but by later in the day my scalp was itchy again and driving me crazy. Went to my Dermatologist in 12/2010 and he gave me Clobex shampoo and clobetasol topical solution. These worked better but not completely. I also got shots of Cortisone along my front hairline. Around this time I noticed I had some hair loss at the back of my neck- a strip about an inch wide right along the back. I had bloodwork done which showed a positive ANA -anti-nuclear antibodies - which suggest an imbalance in my auto-immune system. I went to a Rheumatologist and they found nothing else wrong so they did nothing. I continued with the cortisone shots every 6 weeks - this was supposed to be for the inflamation. finally I quit going because my insurance would not cover it and was getting expensive. I was losing hair all around at this time but didn't really notice how bad until September of 2011 when the hair at my temples and front started falling out faster. I was just using the T-gel shampoo and the itchiness was not as bad now, just hair loss. In Feb & March 2012 I went back to the Dermatologist and showed him how bad it was now and he did a biopsy and blood work and finally diagnosed me with FFA. He said there were some Rx meds that might help but he didn't recommend them because of the side effects. So now my hair loss is about 2- 21/2 inches around the whole front hairline and ears, and seems to be staying that way. It's also thinned all around with a very thin patch on the back right side. I can cover it mostly with my remaining hair but am very self-conscious about it and wear a hat when I'm outside and it's windy. Sorry this is so long! I still use the t-gel shampoo daily and that helps with the scalp itch. I'm also taking more vitamins and trying to eat healthy in the hopes it will help. - Karen - also I am 47 yrs old.

Comment by PamW San Diego, CA, USA on July 24, 2012 at 9:36pm

Sandy, are you able to cover with a hair style? Do you take any meds? And, finally, hownlong does it take to burn out?

Comment by PamW San Diego, CA, USA on July 24, 2012 at 8:35pm

I was wondering if the members of this group could share how long they have been diagnosed and how quickly their hair loss progressed. Is hair loss rapid or gradual?

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