Hello and welcome, Christine!
I know how hard alopecia can be; I have had it for about 30 years. Let me know if you need help or support. One thing that you might be interested in is my book, written for women, called "If Your Hair Falls Out, Keep Dancing!" (It just won two national awards!)
It has a lot of good info in it, and it's a fun read, too.
It might help with your questions. You can find out more on my page. It's available on Amazon.com, and on this site under "Bookshelf."

Let me know if there's anything else I can do!
LeslieAnn

hi Christine
welcome to alopeciaworld. i have just gone through your comment on alopecia areata. i have AA from last 8 years now. althogh my pics dont reveal that but one time i was bald like everyone else with AA. from 2001 to 2004 i took whatever i came across and that includes minoxidal as well. my experiance is not so good. the time factor is crucial in this case and it also depends the amount of loss. hair growth is quite slow and side effects are more and above that there is a high tendency of relapse once you stop it. being a biochemist by stream i would say that minoxidal only stimulates hair growth and does not stop the bald patches. so it can never be the cure and right option for AA. it might be fruitful if you have just one or two patches. rest keep consulting your doctor as individuals complete biochemical profile should be kept in mind before deciding any medication for AA patient.
wish you luck and hope that you find the right way
take care and keep sharing
bye

Welcome to our little corner of the world!! Blessings to you!!
Lori

Hey Christine,
Welcome to Alopecia World.

How are you?
I work in a hospital too.

Jeffrey

Hi Christine,

Maybe we chatted with Dotty on the AASC?
I love this site so much!!!
I am a Respiratory Therapist. I'm sure you know some in your hospital.

I still use the Minoxidil. I seem to be growing more and more hair now alot of it is brown instead of all white. We'll see where it goes from here.....

Jeffrey

Hi Christine,

How are things going?
I have been an RT for 25 years now. Yikes i am getting old!!!
Hair regrowth is positive but not yet totally stoked about it. Time will tell....
I work at a huge hospital and am ready for something smaller and less stressful

Jeffrey

Hi Christine,

I worked at a small hospital for 17 years and for the most part really enjoyed it. Toward the end I started to not like it so well though. And then Voilla....I developed alopecia. I felt like it must have been the stress from work. I had been looking for another job for about a year and was being pretty picky. I finally found one that I thought was a good fit. Long story short. I should have stayed where I was. Haha. If a position opens up I'll take it.

Hope all is good with you.

Jeffrey

Hi Christine,
I was just up in your neck of the woods last week, too bad, we could of got together for a visit. I'm in Seattle qite often, I can let you know when my next trip is going to be and we can meet. I would be honored to help you and be your friend through this period your going through. Trust me, I've been there! you can email me at myimagebydonna@comcast.net or call me toll free at 1-888-668-9149
I'm here for you, take care Donna~