Thank you Liz L, I have had a quick look at the Shepperton Wigs site.  Do you know if our condition (FFA) is exempt from VAT?

xOx

I had a wonderful and sensitive experience at 

Shepperton Wigs, they are close ish to Heathrow airport

http://www.sheppertonwigs.co.uk/

Jo and Linda really put me at ease, I was terrified when U first went there . Super happy now with this one:

Ellen Wille Prime Hair’ model ‘Impulse’

ouf catching up on all of your news... am glad you are here. I went to dinner with a friend who assured me that she can't see my hair loss, and that she "would absolutely tell me" if she could. She is that sort of unsparing person, so OK. I hide it for now. I received my nifty new headband in the mail and I actually like it : ). I too think I may be losing hair at the nape of my neck because the skin feels strange and sensitive there - although it could be because I've been wearing my hair up in a barrette and puling the front down over my bald spots. Every week they are growing (the spots). But if my critical friend doesn't see them, they aren't there for public view (yet). Take care, everyone. Off to wash the hair I have left before bed. 

Yes the ffa is def exempt from VAT-

might need a note from your doc,

not sure about that.

You are all so fabulous!  Thanks Minter, Liz & Half baked. 

Have te a lovely weekend everyone & fingers crossed for good Hair days!

Have a good weekend everybody!

Thanks Rachel, and thanks to all for discussion and honesty...the journey continues

Just checked out the FFA Facebook page. I am now a member but I use a different pseudonym on FB and am very cautious about my anonymity.One of my good friends knows I’m here, but otherwise I try to keep a low profile...

I myself looked at a lot of the pictures of the FFA women on FB (yes guiltily curious!), and was especially curious to see how people are hiding it. In any case I saw A LOT of women who look just like me. Srange sisterhood this is... 

Hi, just recently diagnosed with FFA, and in a dilemma as to go on medication, or accept that I will have to wear a wig, so many questions, and scientific info lacking.  Has anyone had good results with .education? Thus halting the progression of frontal hair loss? My hairdresser could only tell me the three clients he knew of has lost hair back to behind their ears...not very encouraging news, any input, hints tips would be greatly appreciated, thanks

Hi Plf, I was just diagnosed last Spring. Depending on where you are, there are a lot of people here who probably have more suggestions than me. So far I’m able to hide behind my hair that’s left. I have been on the same medication since last July, and I’ve lost more hair, so I can’t tell you if it would be different had I not been taking the medicine.

I was encouraged to get a diagnosis by a hairdresser too who told me he’d never seen hairloss like mine. 

Today, in spite of my recent positivity, I feel a bit sick, because my left eyebrow has been itchy, and I see it’s getting sparse - a beginning of a patch. So, it’s up and down. Some days I feel fine, and don’t care much, and feel like I can take whatever life throws at me. Other mornings like this one, I feel defeated and scared, and worry about how I’ll look in a month, a year, etc. I feel like it’s just really unfair - we all see how some women seem to age so beautifully. I have always wanted to be one of them (of course!). 

My mother has been helpful (strangely enough!) ; )

She was always so critical of my hair throughout my life - it’s curly, crazy hair. She encouraged me to get it straighened, blown out, etc. The dermatologist says now, «  NEVER AGAIN, » and it’s possible that the straightening in the past couple of years brought out this illness...

But today my mom says, « everyone loses some eyebrow with age », and « don’t worry, you will find a good hairpiece... » This is comforting...

So far I’ve been to two hair/wig places. The second one seemed more promising, but since my hairloss isn’t so apparent yet (and they’re used to dealing with chemo and AA patients) I never got a call back with an estimate. I’m not taken very seriously at these places. I suppose that could be considered a good thing, but I also think they throw up their hands a bit too fast - they would have to actually *think* about how to custom-design extensions or a hairpiece and apparently that’s not their thing. I got my first « real » (head-hiding) headband this week, and though I don’t absolutely need it yet, it’s good to have - if not exactly comforting. 

Again, I have written a novel - I hope some of this helped - the others will definitely have good info. Again am a bit shaky this morning... eyebrows, you know.  ; )

Have a good sunday. 

Hi, halfbakedwho, thank your for your heartfelt reply, I am not at all brave, I have been on an emotional rollercoaster ride since diagnosis.  From what I have read ( I am a nurse), so having been reading as many medical journal articles as possible) FFA has nothing to do with how you have treated your hair.  Your experience with hair and wig suppliers is so unfair and yes your mum is right you will find a sympathetic salon and genuine people that want to help.  The medication I have been prescribed is Minoxidil, spirolactone and dutasteride, so far all I read is they are helpful for female pattern baldness..not FFA, I am assuming that the specialist is trying to encourage growth of the rest of my hair to help camoflauge the other hair loss. I too are very lucky to have supportive family but as you say does not change the fact that we are dealing with such a condition that continually challenges us. Hang in there on this bumpy ride..I'm with you, positivity is good but honestly it's all a bit overwhelming.  Thanks again for your input, please keep up the conversation, your support is wonderful, 

Ladies, let me share something with you, there IS a glamorous life with ffa!

After spending the last 4 to 6 years stressing, crying, screaming, hiding, experimenting, whingeing, bargaining , ‘managing’ my ever growing shiny forehead with hairbands , I am PAST it! 

I am now a full time wig wearer and I am LOVING it! I’m 64 years old and I am going to have some FUN with the way I look!

My ‘story’ is in the thread ‘Counselling! We are our own!’

I decided against the medication route, too unsure about side effects etc, feeling so much better after becoming gluten free, dairy free (lifelong excema gone),a fish eating vegan.

Since I have started wearing wigs, just before Christmas, I actually LIKE looking in the mirror, my confidence is back, spending more time on the eye make up, gorgeous earrings etc.

I am NOT going to be defined by a shiny, large forehead, I’m actually feeling quite glamorous these days. I HOPE for everyone that something works for you personally, but please don’t despair if it does not, there definitely IS a glamorous life with ffa!!

Hi! I would like to share and hope it will help some of you.

I have been in treatment for about 2 years, with FFA not diagnosticated for probably over 10 years.
I have taken orally: hydroxychloroquine + Dutasteride for 1 year, and I mentioned here that I decided to stop just because I wanted to see what would happen, and I definitely lost a lot more hair during the period of 2 to 3 months off the medications. So my doctor decided to go back to only hydroxychloroquine, and it does make a difference to me. We are going to re-evaluate at the end of next month and decide to keep only one drug or two. 
I did not have any side effects, I am sort of an athlete, I row, I ran, I have a very strict healthy diet, but I eat pizza and sweets once in while. I think the drug can help and there are many people taking it. I also found through recomendation from someone here CARF and it has been a place to learn, for me and my dermatologist: http://www.carfintl.org/. I support them!
I talk to someone that share info from different conferences. One data she shared was about sunscreen:

Thank you both, Liz Lov for being glamourous and loving life, and Ana Braziil for the medicine info. 

I am supposed to go for a biopsy in March. My dermatologist wants me to stop the Clobestal for a month prior to the biopsy. This makes me nervous (more hair loss?) and I’m not sure I want to take internal medicines. But - like I said - for now I will follow instructions. 

My diet has been a bit weird these days. I found myself losing weight - maybe also because of the iron I take which makes my stomach funky. So yesterday I ate (of all things) a giant cheeseburger and fries (NOT McDonalds, a really good burger and fries!!). I eat bread, I eat sweets (in moderation, though weekends get more « festive ») I eat a bit of dairy (it’s France, we do cheese). Would I have less hair loss if I didn’t eat these things? Dunno. Would I feel better? Maybe - it’s been an excessive sort of weekend. 

I try to eat everything in moderation, and most of the time don’t eat much meat or dairy. I like a cookie for dessert though, and my «tartines » for breakfast. If I had a real autoimmune issue (which at one point, thought I did) I would be more strict, but I don’t. 

I don’t eat like an American anymore - we tend to eat real meals with real food and sit down together. I favor organic things, but again, nothing is strict. In years past (waaaaay past) I had an eating disorder, so maybe that’s why being too strict with food makes me crazy (again). 

Liz Lov -  you make me want to shave my head and get the freakin’ wig, which sounds quite awesome. ; )

Halfbakedwho

I have a super sensitive digestive system which is why

I’ve changed my eating habits, certainly feel less bloated. Has it helped the hair loss? Absolutely not but I do believe it has helped calm my super active immune system. 

I still have some hair, didn’t need to shave it off for the wig, I wear a wig band which keeps it on really well. I’ve decided to grow out my attempt at keeping a fringe for a hair band, will let existing hair all get to one length so that I have enough to show under a hat when I’m not wearing the wig, playing golf etc. Then I’ve got so used to putting the wig on now, I’ll just put it back on after golf . 

So far it works well, I’m away on holiday for a little while longer so it is a great time to experiment especially as it is SO windy here.

Liz Lov, you make me want to try a wig too! And you are too right, I don't want to be defined by my high shiny forehead for much longer either :-/ 

Not at all superficial!  That's the first thing I noticed over 6 years ago and I've used every product known to woman to fill them in.  Finally last year I got permanent makeup done on my brows.  (SomI never thought I would do).  

I was was so sad avoiding my reflection in a mirror, didn't he my hair done because I couldn't stand sitting in front of the mirror that long.  Getting my brows done absolutely changed my life for the better.  It looks natural and gave me so much confidence!

I did nothing for years because I thought I was being barn.  

All all the best to you!

darn auto correct...not barn, vain!!!   

Thanks mc, I dropped off my script for Minoxidil last night ( as had to be made up) then started reading all the awful side effects..heart issues, premature ageing....so am about to ring pharmacy to put on hold...more homework required...just when I thought I had made a decision. I'M, all at sea again.  Your timely message has been great..today I'm leaning towards not going down medication pathway...but yes it's early days so this could change again.  So nice to be able to ramble on as I'm sure my friend s and family have heard enough, thanks again

Plf I was wondering where you live that you need a prescription for minioxidil. That’s Rogaine right?  We buy it over the counter 5% in the states. Plus all the side effects you say you’ve read about. I haven’t read anything like that. So I’m concerned now, cause I use the Rogaine (minioxidil)  Im a bit confused

Hi Donna, it is oral Minoxidil, very low dose 0.25 mg, if you haven't had any side effects that's great, I have a propensity toward dark hair growth so are worried about facial hair,. Will post the link re research paper when I find it , re some results....but as usually it is not a large study, 

Hi Donna, I have been diagnosed with FFA as well as female pattern hairloss, this was the link to the paper:-wwwsinclairdermatology.com.au/treating-female-pattern-hair-loss-low-dose-oral-minoxidil-spironolacton...

Hi all- I've been on vacation so I'm catching up on all the posts. I will say that I have a new appreciation for any of you living in a hot humid climate. Everyday was a bad hair day for me with my very thin sparse flat bangs and awful high shiny forehead that goes back far enough now that I have to be careful about getting a sunburn there. Ugg. . .Not to mention the dread that comes from a windy boat ride or the fear of getting my hair wet in front of other people. I'm too embarrassed to go swimming anymore. I am so thankful to be able to go on a vacation but this awful condition has changed me and my confidence and I hate it. 

I started this journey with an already high forehead but it is increasing difficult to hide. I got my haircut yesterday and it was so embarrassing to see the look on my hairdressers face as she struggled to find a way to cut my hair. 

But right now my skin is what's bothering me the most and I wonder if any of you have some of the same issues? Someone mentioned that their skin had the look and texture of a basketball and that's a perfect description of my skin. With the exact opposite very shiny smooth skin on my forehead. But lately my skin feels so dry and "leather" like? Gone is my nice soft skin. And it's hard to explain but the skin on my forehead feels SO tight, my eyes itch, my eyebrows are shiny and itch (under the microblading)?

I know I'm preaching to the choir but I'm having a bad day. . .

I used to have such a zest for life and loved holidays.  I wonder too how holidays will ever be the same with this life changing condition. I don’t seem to have much ‘respite’ at the moment from this condition.  I woke with a burning and stinging sensation on my scalp through the night and felt quite desperate.  Does this mean I will lose Hair in this area too? The progression seems rapid and relentless.  I’ve also noticed skin texture changing.  Is there anything else we can do to limit the damage? I’m beginning to wonder if this condition will ‘break’ me.... I’m not usually the type of person to entertain such thoughts. 

  I'm trying not to let stress have a chance, but it does exhaust me at times.  We are not defined by this condition but by the way we handle it.  People don't see us as we see ourselves and so I like to console myself with this thought. Stay strong everyone! X

@AnnieMay and @Afraid. I’m sorry that you are having bad days with dealing with this stupid disease. When I was first diagnosed I cried and cried. It’s just the most odd condition to accept and to explain to others-who generally blurt out “oh,you can just wear a wig” not clearly understanding the building trauma that led to first getting diagnosed (why am I losing my hair?!?) to the sadness and shock of getting diagnosed (I’m going to lose my hair?!?). Again, it’s okay to be upset. It took me over a year to “accept” (ha!) this and I still have bad days-just not as many. Hang in there. XXOO

Hi Annie may and afraid, although only recently diagnosed, a FFA diagnosis as this stage is for life, I don't think anyone that doesn't have it can understand how it impacts on your life daily, so little knowledge re what causes it, treatment s that may or may not halt the progression and yes there are wigs, but yes if you love the beach ..wigs don't help, hang in there your not alone..but this doesn't help the bad days where it all become so consuming, continue to be strong, and thanks again for your honesty, it really helps to here other people's thoughts, because at time I feel I need to get over myself it's not life threatening..but in the end to impacts on everything!

Thanks everyone for your continued support x 

Not sure what I would do without all of your support so thank you. I do wonder if other people are dealing with some of the skin issues I mentioned? and what you're doing to help things? are there facial moisturizers that you like with out SPF??

Before all of this I had been considering have a mini facelift. Has anyone dealt with this and FFA?

Hi, AnnieMay. I'm the one that mentioned the basketball-like skin texture. I also have a shiny (not greasy) forehead. It bothers me about as much as the hair loss. I have recently found a moisturizer that I like quite a bit. It definitely helped my skin to feel smoother to the touch, but it still looks about the same : (  It's Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Night Cream. I got it on Amazon for around $16.00. Andalou Naturals makes a number of natural skin scare products and the "1000 Roses" line is for sensitive skin. The night cream scores a 3 from EWG and the day cream scores a 1. The night cream is thicker, and I like it better, but you can order a sampler of the 1,000 roses line for aroudn $15.00, which includes, day cream, night cream, toner, etc.

Thank you Jess!

AnnieMay & Jess.  I have started using coconut oil as my facial moisturiser.  A little under my foundation also & it gives a dewy look. You can add lavender essential oil or rosemary is very good for skin.  I’ve been giving myself a scalp conditioning treatment with castor oil once a week. Suppose to help with hair growth.  But with FFA we know the hair that has been lost won’t grow back.  But makes my hair very shiney & soft. I don’t wash my hair every day but when I do I just bought Majestic Pure shampoo with 14 DHT Blockers. Nourishes thinning hair, strengthens.  Suppose to add volume but it doesn’t for me. I also bought Majestic Pure Argan oil conditioner.  Both from Amazon if you want to check it out.

I watched several utube videos on the castor oil.  It has a lot of benefits.  Also google home made or all natural skin creams.  I’m weening off all store bought moisturisers & im going to find a different  sunscreen for this summer. 

Jess thank you for the trip about And ally natural. I have taken a look and I will probably place an order.  

Tip

Now this may seem a little random but has anyone thought of getting a perm??  I have read from a few ffa sisters that they think they can cover the loss better and longer with their curly hair.  I was an 80's poodle and actually loved my locks.  Obviously this would be harsh on the hair and scalp but so is colouring and many seem to be still covering the grey.  It's just a thought...would anybody like to expand on it? 

Next question: does anyone who is still menstruating have a flare up during menstruation?  I do and it is like clockwork.  The rest of the month is mostly ok, it's just when I'm menstruating. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

Jess, I had found an article re facial papules in FFA and isotretoin (“accutane”) use shortly before the publishing of the one from Poland using isotretoin and good success halting FFA that you shared with us last October. I will attach snapshots of the article. Tho the number of researched was only 3 patients in the papule study, they all had great success with the isotretoin. 

Jess, I recall that you said you were reluctant to start isotretoin and I respect every single person’s choice on how to proceed and treat or not treat this poop disease, but I just wanted you and everyone interested to see the study. 

At some point I need to make a separate post but I started the isotretoin almost immediately after that study came out of Poland.  I take a plethora of other meds for the disease and put various things on inflamed areas so unfortunately I can’t say what might be working for sure:( but I have recently seen a good decrease in inflammation and will keep you all posted. 

A lot of posts this week. I have been so busy. 

OK - in terms of perms - I was at a doctor's office today, and heard once again how lucky I am that my freaky hair covers the bald spots. Because they are growing, and if I lift up the the curly mass that covers them, it's kind of a minor shock to people who wouldn't otherwise notice. So yes to that. 

Afraid - I want especially to respond to you. Some days I too can feel like if my appearance is going downhill, so is everything else - it really *is* that important, especially for us as women... 

But - I also think the most important thing we can do for ourselves is complete self-acceptance. We didn't do anything wrong, we don't deserve to lose our hair, and we especially don't deserve our own meanness and judgement around our appearance. 

I am soooo imperfect at this - I am distractible, kind of messy, prone to melancholy and overly sensitive. I may, on top of that, lose a bunch more hair and gain a lot more wrinkles. I get very scared of that too. Who will love me if I'm a half-bald wrinkled messy distracted middle-aged woman? I know my cats don't care as long as I feed them. No - I'm kidding. I get scared of how much appearance matters, and how mine - especially around my hair loss, is pretty much out of my control. It really sucks. 

BUT- that's why, if the whole world falls apart (I lose my hair, I can't work anymore, or worse...) I need to stay on my own side. Some days I think it's just so hard to keep fighting - I just don't want to anymore. But then I remember - it shouldn't be a fight anyway - there's nothing to "prove", this is really hard, and all there is to do is take as good care of myself as I can. Again I do that very imperfectly. 

Hope this made some sort of sense, b/c very, very tired. What a @#%$!! week it's been. 

Thanks for all the posts this week, it's so nice to have a forum just to talk and say how you feel..I am thinking about counseling as I don't want to talk to my family and friends about it anymore.  Halfbakedwho, sounds like you have had a really horrible week, hope your weekend improves, keep up the relentless struggle not alot else we can do...again thank goodness for this site...I have been using castor oil on my eyebrows everyday for last two months, makes me feel better and hoping they won't fall out

Hi, as mentioned earlier I'm still in the " just diagnosed" group so still looking for the miracle cure, I know there is still some question that FFA could be a auto immune disorder.  Has anyone tried intermittent fasting as a method of halting the progress of ffa?  I visited my Gp yesterday and said that o felt that my dermatologist has just prescribed medication s without explaining their side effects, as the drugs she prescribed have 57 percentage success rate in a small group of women I really wondered if side effects were worth it.  Apparently I am eligible for a pharmacist to visit in home and give me all the details of drugs involved....whilst the descion to commence treatment or just embrace the disorder will still be hard at least it will be a bit more informed!  Meanwhile nil drugs till I have celebrated my daughter's wedding in 10 weeks time... ironically today caught up with a good friend today who commented on how lovelyy hair looked....of course I could not say a word re condition...I applaud all you brave lovely ladies please keep up the conversation

Pauliegirl, thank you for posting the article. I am on the fence, but I think I'm gonna take the leap and ask my dermatologist if he'd be willing to give Isotretinoin a go. I'm hopeful that it will at least clear up my skin, and then maybe I can try Retin-a where it has thinned and gotten a little crepe-y around my temples. I saw another study that showed positive results with Isotretinoin and rosacea, which I also have. Maybe I can kill two birds with one stone.

I use almond oil on my face and castor oil on my arms and along my hairline- sometimes mixing the two and I have just run out of my lavender oil but will get some more and start adding a few drops to the almond oil.  I have tried retin A in the past in a moisturizer and my neck turned bright red and itchy- I guess it was hives but that was the end of me ever trying retin A's! I am trying to use as much "all natural" stuff on my face, but I am so sick of trying to contour/blush/brush/conceal my white shiny forehead that I am tempted to use a bit of fake tan on my forehead just to even everything up, how much worse could it possible make my skin at this point! Though, I am going for a facial in a couple of weeks so maybe that will help even everything out somewhat :-/

I have also considered a perm every now and again, I haven't gotten one from the 90's! But I wonder sometimes too if it will help thicken up and cover up my thinning top along with a good color :-)  I have a long layered bob that is just above my neck and I am thinking that the long layers have to go, I need to get more layers (or do the perm)! to get a bit more body to my hair- also thinking of having "fake" sidepieces cut into my hair, I am always pulling a bit of hair forward to cover my empty space in front of my ears, but if I have "sideburns" cut, it might help- wow, again like the 90's ! Jeez, perms, fake tan, sideburns, I am going back in time, might as well get a mullet while I am at it haha!

Halfbakedwho, I know you had a crummy week, but I love your words, it is so hard to be self-accepting with this crappy FFA and it is so true, I would never, ever say to other people what I say to myself about my appearance- I should start being my own friend again who likes me for me and not just for my hair- I hope you have a much better weekend!

I used RetinA for quite a few years to battle brown spots on my chin, cheeks and neck. It did fade them but it can thin your skin and makes you sunburn easy-which is why I always used sunscreen in my make ups-which some suspect is a trigger for FFA. Great! It’s maddening I tell ya!

Funny, I have tried all sorts of all natural and organic face lotions and soaps since the diagnosis of FFA and they all gave me the skin of a 15 year old-volcanic red raging pimples of ugliness. I chucked them all and now I use Ponds. I know it rates high on the EWG scale but I’ve had no luck with the “good” stuff.

I love my castor oil though. It’s giving me sprouts of new hair growth and eases the tightness on my scalp. @Minter have you seen any new growth since you started using it? 

OK Admissions time. Who here (if any of you) gets fillers or Botox? With my hair going, I feel like my face has to be its best. However I really don’t like the idea, and it’s cray-cray expensive. Thoughts? 

Oh and yes the week was hard b/c of cancellations, lack of sleep, time, etc. But it’s Sunday now, and Sunday is a Very Good Thing. 

Hmm. I thought retin-a stimulated collagen production and actually thickened the skin. But, I did read that it can also trigger rosacea and be pretty harsh, which concerns me. I, too, stopped using sunscreen in recent months. I don't like not using it, but I also don't want to keep it up if it is playing a role. Bah. It seems like most things related to this are just a roll of the dice.

I've not seen any new growth since using the castor oil :-( but, it feels great on my skin and especially my super itchy forearms- so growth or no growth I will continue to use it and I thank you illustrated8r for turning me on to castor oil! Oh and thanks to you I often use ponds cold cream to clean my face, I feel all plumped up afterwords ;-D  

Halfbakedwho,  I use botox, I usually get it done about once a year and I last got it done last April, luckily it lasts about 8 months for me- I want to get it done again, but apparently you should wait after getting brows microbladed for a couple of months and I just had my 3rd followup after my very first appointment so I will probably end up getting botox again in April/May.  I love the results, it is bad enough having thinning hair I don't want to look tired or angry all the time on top of it!  Often times doctors have a special for first time clients, so it may be less expensive and look for good reviews etc... I was only unhappy with my botox results once and that was, ironically, from a very well renowned plastic surgeon :-/  

I have gotten fillers, but that was, wow, now that I am thinking about it, almost 10 years ago!  Fillers are pricey and I toss it around now and again, but I can't justify the money for fillers, I can for botox though!  I also had a bad reaction the first time with fillers as I had a breakout of cold sores inside my mouth from having fillers around my chin/jaw and it made my chin bruise and basically turn purple, it was horrendous looking- I got a prescription for valtrax which cleared it all up and apparently if/when I ever get fillers again I need to have a course of valtrax beforehand to avoid having it occur again- so that is my story and cautionary filler tale, if you have every had cold sores or chickenpox tell the doctor beforehand ;-) 

Hey again.

I just got my botox done Friday. I love this crap too. I also love the fillers but they are insane expensive. I am probably going to break down and do it again but not right away. At least they last about 2 years. Am glad I'm not the only one ; ). And I have to start using the castor oil - I have some... but there's no Ponds' here. 

Halfbakedwho, castor oil is great- apparently it is a handy thing to have around the house as it is good for treating all sorts of things which I found out thanks  to google :-)  I'm happy for you that you got botox, it is a great little pick me up for sure, it is nice to look refreshed when you see yourself in the mirror, I know it's time for me to get it done when all I hear is " you look tired" over and over again! 

Hi, are you getting a message that the site isn’t « secure »? I was upset - I am here anyway...

Today I discovered I’m losing hair at the nape of my neck. My scalp has been sensitive there for a while, and my hair seemed thinner. And so I looked, and yes, there are patches. It’s hard for me to get to see my specialist doctor who’s available only one Thursday a month in Paris, so it looks like I’m going to see someone else. I know that my regular specialist wanted me to get a biopsy. I know that another specialist will probably not change my treatment. 

I am of course feeling a bit down, but it has more to do right now with my work situation - working in another town (where I don’t live) is exhausting. I am trying to build my practice here in my new town but it will take time. 

Hope you guys are still around. 

I am also getting the message that the site isn't secure. Obviously, I proceeded anyway.

Halfbakedwho-I know what it's like to commute for work/school, and it is exhausting. Last semester I was driving about an hour and ten minutes each way, and it really takes a big chunk out of your day. I know after I'm done, all I want to do is get home and chill out, and it's a bummer to have time shaved off of your "me time." Plus you have to get up earlier. It's no fun. Hopefully, you're able to build up a client-base soon.