Amy

Female

Eastpointe, MI

United States

Profile Information:

Relationship Status:
Married
About Me:
I am 27, married, RN in the Emergency Room, and have 2 beautiful boxer dogs (Holly and Tyson) that I love maybe a little too much!

I found the first spot on the right side of my head when I was dying my roots, that was June of 2008. It was only the size of a quarter. After I completely freaked out, I made an appt with a dermatologist, who diagnosed me with alopecia areata and assured me that it was stress related. I had just finished 6 years of college, was about to sit for my state nursing boards, and my wedding was a few months away. He gave me some steroid shots and some cream to put on it twice a day. I got a full work-up from my doctor to rule out any medical conditions- that came back clear. I was still pretty worked up about it...was i going to lose all my hair? I cried a LOT, and it was difficult because no one I knew had even heard of this, except my grandmother, because it happened to her years ago when her mother was dying.

That spot progressively got bigger, to about the size of half dollar in about 2 months, despite the shots every 3 weeks and the gobs of cream (see my pictures). It was a few weeks before my wedding, and I was getting used to it, and my hairstylist for the wedding did an awesome job covering it up. You couldnt see it on an average day, but if my hair was going to be pulled back it was obvious. She made it totally covered for the big day..thank god!

So after that, I saw some white hairs, then all of a sudden it sprouted- and I mean sprouted! Just when I got excited about that, I was out to dinner with my girlfriends in October, I found another spot. This one is right in the middle of my head, but towards my neck, so it is completely hidden. More shots. More cream. More crying. By December, it was twice as big. My husband is extremely supportive...after all...he is the cream applier!

Today, the first spot has about 5 inches of hair. The other one has stopped growing (I hope), and I only got the shots once in that spot because I got busy...I was switching jobs and insurance and so on. There are a few white hairs there, and few regular hairs, but it's a slow-go.

I have a new derm, and it's growing back well with steroid injections and Lidex cream.

My attitude now is hopeful but cautious. Sometimes it bothers me and sometimes I don't care. I don't have any other hair loss (ie- I still have eyebrows, eyelashes, leg hair, etc). I don't know if it will keep happening, or happen again in 10 years, or if eventually I will lose it all. I have no idea. That is the most frustrating thing, and at times it really upsets me. But I am most thankful that my 2 spots happened in places that could be hidden!!! And I am happy I found this website so I could share stories/success/ups and downs with people who are going through what I have.
Do you have alopecia?
Alopecia areata
Are you age 18 or older?
Yes - I am 18 or older

Comment Wall:

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  • Aspen

    I cant believe you are having a baby! comment me back.=]
    aspen=]

    Aug 22, 2009

  • Cheryl, Co-founder

    Hi Amy, Alopecians in Michigan will celebrate International Alopecia Day (August 6th, 2011) with a late lunch at T.G.I Fridays in Livonia. We will be meeting at 3 PM.

    Come for lunch, come for dinner, come for an appetizer or just come for coffee and dessert!

    We want to meet you!

    T.G.I Fridays
    20120 Haggerty Road
    Livonia, MI 48152-1087
    (734) 464-8443

    Please RSVP on the Events page:

    http://www.alopeciaworld.com/events/international-alopecia-day-det, so that we can make reservations if needed.

    Thanks and we really look forward to meeting you!

    TGI Fridays has been kind enough to offer our group a 10% discount on the meals.

    PS: Please note that this is a dutch treat and everyone is responsible for their own bill!

    Jul 28, 2011

  • Cheryl, Co-founder

    Hi Amy, Alopecians in Michigan will celebrate International Alopecia Day with a late lunch at T.G.I Fridays in Livonia. We will be meeting at 3 PM on August 4th.
    Come for lunch, come for dinner, come for an appetizer or just come for coffee and dessert!
    Let's Meet!
    T.G.I Fridays
    20120 Haggerty Road
    Livonia, MI 48152-1087

    Please RSVP below so that we can make reservations if needed.

    http://www.alopeciaworld.com/events/international-alopecia-day-detr...

    Thanks and we really look forward to meeting you!

    PS: Please note that this is a dutch treat and everyone is responsible for their own bill!

    Thanks,

    Cheryl

    Aug 1, 2012