Hello and welcome, Anna!
How are you doing today?
I have universalis, too.
LeslieAnn

Hi Anna
Welcome
Glad that you have joined us.
My son 13, has had alopecia since he was 6. He is developing universalis at the moment - losing his eyebrows and other body hair.

Hey Anna :) I found that was a problem for me, too - deciding whether to accept my alopecia or to keep trying new treatments. When my hair was patchy, I got monthly cortisone injections at the dermotoligist's office, but they only helped my small patches grow in. When I started losing more hair, I tried oral steroids. I strong recommend AGAINST using the oral steroids (prendisone), as it has terrible side effects, causes damage to your internal organs, and it actually made my hair fall out worse in the long run! I found that once I could emotionally cope with my hairloss, I could move on with my life. It was important for me to have a strong support system of friends and family, too. Good luck and remember that you are beautiful with or without hair :)

Welcome to AW :o) you have the cutest kids. i dont have AU but i do have hair loss and it is a real shock to the brain when you dont see it coming. i have met wonderful people up here to talk to and i am sure you will/have too. this website has helped me alot with coping. have a great weekend and see ya around bye :o)

I guess as a mother it is easier for us to deal with things if they are happening to ourselves. When it is happening to our children it is hard to have to watch them struggle.
I think though we do survive and we can be strong when it comes to our children. So my advice - don't think about what ifs and enjoy your children. They grow up so quickly. My eldest is 21 and it seems like not that long ago that she was still in diapers.
By the way - your children are beautiful - I love your photos.

Glad to hear that you have gone to college. Congratulations - I know you will do well.
I am so happy for you. You faced a challenge head on. You can only get stronger from here. You are taking control! Best thing anyone can do let alone someone with AU.

BTW What are you studying?

That is great. I take my hat off to you. Studying a degree with 3 kids. It will be worth it though as you say.
I know 8 years feels like a long time. My husband did a masters degree over 8 years while working and we had 3 young children at the time. You get through it. Hope you have some family support. Good luck with it all.
My son Jon is doing alot better now. He has 6 months homeschooling last year. Now he is happy to go to school. He changed to a small Christian school this year and he feels alot more comfortable. He has a close friend that goes to the same school so he is set. He has started getting involved in things as well. Playing indoor soccer and going to youth group. Talking more to friends and family. He is not interested in wearing a wig. He is trying to be happy in his own skin if you know what i mean. He wears a bandana most of the time but will go a-la-natural around the school and other places when he wants to.