hi susan, thanks for the request. where are u from?

Honestly it took me some time to learn to make it look real and it is a little costily but much cheaper then going to a shop that specializes in it. It is about 200.00 and it last for about two months. Where are you located at?

the Drs @ Johns Hopkins diagnosed me with Alopecia areata totalis, total scalp alopecia.

another thing you should try is shampoo/conditioner called Nioxin, you can buy it at most salons. I would go w/ #4.

ouchie, then you probably wouldn't like the Anthralin I was on!

it was a medicine i was on, that i rubbed on my scalp and left in for an hour every day

caused dermatitis on my scalp to give my immune system something else to attack, other than my hair follicles. neat stuff. dyed my scalp though

Yep, once every two weeks

Oh, acupuncture? Haha. Well, mine covers half. For me, it's about $80 per session, but it's worth it. My stress level has been way down. She also tried some crazy stuff on my scalp to try and rejuvenate it. Chinese herbs were pretty neat too.

Hi Susan. I must say I have been going through the same feelings as you....TOTALLY!!!! I'm on a "happy pill" for it but doesn't seem to be working much. My hair has not recovered since I started losing it in June/July. What seems to grow falls out almost immediately. At first I didn't let it bother me. There was regrowth and I felt really good...but then it fell out. That's when I got low self-esteem, felt disgusting, couldn't look at myself in the mirror, depressed and it was devastating. I cried SO much. I cried because I was crying over something that could be so much more worse and I couldn't understand this whole disease.
I have chosen not to pursue any treatment as none is guaranteed and I don't want the financial burden as of right now. I feel comfortable now about who I am. I have a wig which I wear when I go out but otherwise I wrap it up.
I have two children also and they have been great through all of this. Even at the ages of 8 and 10.
If you ever want to talk please email me anytime. We have so much in common and I'd love to chat about what we're going through. I have Yahoo IM too. Let me know.

I leave a lot of comments, but you can also chat on the forums where people discuss all types of things. go up to your tabs at the top of your page, click on forums, and there's plenty of stuff to talk about. =)

Haha, well I'm glad you're learning. I just realized i had two messages 2 days old that i hadn't noticed, so don't feel too bad. =)

I have AU. It was tough as ateenager and as a 20 year old dating but I think it made me much stronger. I think I will have the strength I would need to support my daughter or son if they get it. My alopecia started when I found out my mother had brain cancer and had 5 months to live (so I assume it was triggered from stress) then 2 months after my other passed my father was diagnosed with alopecia also. Thanks for the compliment. I get these great very inexpensive wigs off ebay and just wear them for a fe wmonths until they get cruddy and nappy and then just toss and get a new one. It seems to work well for me. I am excited to meet people like me so maybe soon I will feel confident enough to just go out in my bandana or even commando!!!!

I live in MD.

Thank you so much! The wig is human hair, & if felt SOO real then. My aunt who hadn't seen me since a while back when my hair was thinning very badly came to coronation & said "she has the best looking head of hair up there" It made me smile/laugh. Because my mom was styling that wig while i was wearing the other one at school. =)

Ok, i'll totally accept you, you are my 3rd alopecia friend on myspace =) I wear a wig to school everyday, but i have a feeling that won't keep happening over the summer. I'm gettin tired of my wigs, and i'm becoming more comfortable with myself and my mohawk. The one I'm wearing right now stays on pretty well, i don't really have any problems with it coming off. I just adjust how tight it is & I really don't have problems. Its been nice having my wig/sock cap to keep me warm during winter. =)

Thanks! I love it too! It's actually synthetic. I had human hair wigs (upwards of $2300) for 15 years and this one is $140 and I love it WAY more than the others.

I bet we would

oo ok i know where that is, im from nyc. its nice to meet u too! are u going to the conference this year?

its thurs june 19- sun june 22. this link is the flyer:

http://naaf.org/conference/2008/PDF/PromoFlyer_2008.pdf

for more info and registration details go to naaf.org

im pretty sure that any type of hairloss is considered alopecia. i dont think u have to be diagonosed to go though. my entire family goes every year and im the only one that has it. the weekend is mostly about treatments and research about alopecia areata, so if ur interested in that, i would say come.

thanks so much, i love ur pics, u look so happy in all of them...and u have amazing eyes =)

I'm sending you a message about wearing wigs cause it's gonna be LONG! Haha!

thankss...i was just looking at ur pics, u dont even look old enough to have ur 2 sons! i was confused when i started looking at them but then i read ur about me and realized they were ur sons haha

Hi Susan
Yes, my hairpiece is all human hair and a vacuum. You do have to have a shaved head to wear a vacuum because it needs suction. It is extremely hot, but like everything you get used to it. I can’t find anything that better quality, so this is all I wear for now.

I sent you an email. Your comment came through as well. Thanks!!!
Hope to hear from you soon! I'm here for you anytime!
~Brandy

You bet!! I've cried so many times..don't know a person coud shed so many tears. Like I said, it ended when I had the "big shave". But, needless to say, not sure how far a.a. has come for you. Do you think you'll ever get to shaving it and getting a wig or not anytime soon???
Either way...please know that i'm here for you. I've said that way to many times already.
~Brandy

Hey girl! I live in Salisbury, which is about 45 min from Charlotte. It is good to meet another person from NC. I read your about me section and I know how you feel. I was like that when i 1st started to lose my hair.

Girl you better leave that glue alone. get your fingers stuck to the table LOL

Yes, we are close. I have family in Statesville and I think my uncle may live in Mooresville. I'm not sure where any of the Walmarts are though. I have AA. Yes I read your about me and I noticed that and it made me think of something. I 1st lost hair in the 1st grade, but in eighth grade I got pneumonia and had to get on antibiotics and afterwards my hair fell out. I am still not sure if the meds had an affect on me. But I went to the dermatologist and she didn't even look at my scalp. She tried to tell me it came for perms and braiding, etc. Finally after my mom stepped in and told her that a friend of her says that I was showing signs of Alopecia, she finally looked at my scalp and diagnose. I have had 4 different people diagnose me with AA. It was painful, because I had really long pretty hair and I didn't want to accept the face that it was falling out. I had low self esteem too for a long time and I have had a hard time dating too. But I feel so much better about myself now.

ummm well lets not even talk about what i did to get grounded...lol...so yea...@!!1 no prob for adding you!!! i love this place!!! its badass!!!

Yes, you can wear lace wigs if you don't have hair. Most anyone can wear them except those with very long and thick hair. Check out my site www.ladylacewigsandhair.com for info on the wigs and contact me directly at ladylacewigsandhair@gmail.com if you need help with ordering from ANY site. You don't have to purchase from me. But I would love to help you out with the process:)

Thank you so much. You are pretty too! I think alopecia makes all of us just a lil more, extra sexy than we already are, because everyone cant have alopecia like we do :)
I see your a mother. I have a friend and he has his whole future planned out as well as I, but I kinda left the part out about starting a family and having children, because I heard its a hard job to be a mother and focus a career. Maybe you can give me some advice so i can use in the future.

Hi Susan. Thanks for your comment on my blog post. I agree, losing your hair is an unbelievably difficult emotional experience. I started losing mine when I was 6, and have been completely bald since age 11. It's something we do and will deal with every single day...But, you don't have to be defined by your hair. You are someone so much more interesting and beautiful. Hair is simply an accessory.

Hi Susan, How are you doing this fine weekend?

Maureen

i would prob think the same thing too lol

I'm glad you think so. Many people say that I wouldnt be able to do both, so thanks a lot. My mom started at a young age too. She is really close to all of us and we can talk to her about anything. I mean if you cant talk to your mom who can you talk to, right? My mom raised us the same way. I've been washing clothes, cleaning, and cooking since about age 5. It is good you taught your sons that because many guys I know do not know how to do things for themselves. It is also good you are a supportive mom. That is very important to have. I am the first one in my family to go off to college and my mom felt the way you do now, but she knows that I have to grow up. It was hard to let go at first, but she is proud of me. I know you will be the same way with your sons. By the way, you have a beautiful family and seem like you are not just a cool mom, but a cool person too.

aww lol idk what im doing this weekend, ive been sick the past few days so i think im just gonna take it easy and stay home and watch movies lol

Hi Susan, Sounds like you had a busy day! My son left at noon to go back to College spring break is over :( miss him already. We are going to drive up there for Easter. So we can spend the holiday with him and also it's his Birthday on the 26th. Where do you live? cause you said it was raining. It stopped here and the sun is out :).

Have a great Day!
Maureen

Hey thanks!! Yeah I like that one too! i need a new red one I have decided though, just need to save up! How's your day going?

My wigs are all synthetic.. I am hoping to get a human one someday soon! I think I have just practiced a lot at making them look real haha, I did go to hairstyling school as well so maybe that helped.

Thank you. Everyone is proud of me and counting on me and when things get hard all I can think about is my family is counting on me. The woman who actually inspired me to become a fashion designer was my great-grandmother. She passed away about 2 weeks ago and it was hard for everyone to take. I didn't want to leave home during this sad time, but I know she would have wanted me to become a fashion designer and that gives me more motivation. Sure, I wouldn't mind hooking you help with some apparel. I will always need models, so maybe I can get you out of North Carolina to New York to walk on the runway for me. It might be in a few years through, but keep that in mind. LOL! I'm sure you don't get on your sons nerves. My mom and my brother used to have that same problem. They are about 21 years apart and my brother looks just like my dad, so people would always get confused. I think hanging out with you and your family would be cool.

I do swim alot, and excersise occasionally. :) When I swim most often I go to my dads pool. If it is just me and my babies I go commando (blad). If my step daughters or any friends are there that I see all the time I wear a swimming cap or just a bandana. And if I go to the lake or ocean or public place I have an older wig that I don't care if it gets cruddy. I wear that with a bandana on top to hold it on. I have my "workout wig". Same thing an old one that I don't care much about and if it gets sweaty and I can just wash it. I am trying to get more confidence to just go out with just a scarf or bandana but I am not there yet.

Hello Susan, nice picture you had=) I´m really happy to find this site and hope to make many new friends here. By from Sweden (It´s time to go to bed for me)

I believe we are all model material in our own special way. My future clothing line will highlight everyone so keep the modeling thing in mind.

No prob. I hope you have a great one too. I actually dont own anything green. lol! I know fashion designers are suppose to be all about color but I only stick with a few different colors and green isnt one of dem. If i dont find a green marker and mark my hand with, i guess i will be getting pinched tomorrow. lol!

I hope you had a great St. Pattys Day 2! Its good you like your new job. I bet you did feel right at home. How much hairloss have you had. Mine is around the sides, in the back, my hairline and I have a few patches in the middle of my head.

hi susan im 25 and i've had alopecia for nearly a year now, i also have a very low self esteem and as a fellow sufferer of depression i really feel your pain... just wanted to say that your not alone... and might i also add you are a very beautiful woman....that picture of yourself is gorgeous girl! *wolf wistle*

Hey Susan - I really struggled with low self esteem BEFORE loosing all my hair. I would wonder how on earth anyone could love me. I know what youre feeling. As long as you have people around you that accept u for who u are, life will get better. I have to put a smile on my face everyday - along with my wig. And do a reality check - I have lost my hair with no explanation - its not because I have cancer and am dying!!! I am blessed with a healthy family, the people who call me their friends are "real" and accept me for me!! Chin up - it will get better. And there is no shame in getting help from a doctor in the form of antidepressants - it might be the lil bit extra you need to get "on top". This has been the case for me - I wont look back now!! xoxoxo

My situation is the same. I used to wear weaves, but I have lost so much hair that I wear wigs now. I don't mind it at all. Its good to change my style up every now and then. lol!

my picture is quite recent too..my sister works for a glamour photography studio..i was her guinea pig for the day hehehe.... i am wearing a wig incase you didn't know... i got it from ebay... check it out.. there are soooo many different styles.. and very cheap too...gives you so much more confidence.
i used to dread going out in public.. or even going out to get the mail....but now i feel great about myself and you should too.. you are gorgeous!!

nahh my wig is just synthetic... it feels exactly the same as real hair... you can get special wig shampoo and conditioner to wash it... and a spray that you put on it after its dry.. makes it nice and shiny...you can get these from most stores that sell hair accessories.. im not completely bald... i only have alopecia areata... just have large bald patches.... most of it has grown back.. its all fuzzy.. i still have a large bald patch on the back of my head... but i can cover it up pretty easy.. i don't really need to wear a wig much anymore.. i just like to cos it looks nicer than real hair... doesn't need to be styled... and if you wash it.. doesn't loose its curls... its great!... definitely get on ebay and check em out.... the one i got is from japan... only bid like $1.00 for it...just had to pay the 30 or so bucks postage and handling...
bargain!