Deidre

49, Female

South Carolina

United States

Profile Information:

Relationship Status:

Married

About Me:

Before I get to "About Me", I want to express what a great site this is. From the moment I was diagnosed with AA in January of 2008, I have been on a knowledge, support, and answer quest! I've been to other support groups online, however, I had a hard time relating to others partly due to lack of placing a story with a face...and without fail, it would leave me in tears. This site is wonderful and proof, in itself, that there is absolutely nothing typical about this condition. Great place. Thank you.

Ok about me. I'm 33, married, with 2 children. I'm not working at the moment because I was fortunate enough to be able to take some time off to be with my youngest son. In my 'past life' :) I worked in sales for a steel building manufacturing company and a training coordinator for an insurance software company. I plan to return soon, but to something very different. The idea of sitting in the ole cubicle farm has since lost its appeal! I love painting, photography, cooking, gardening, white water rafting, doing ANYTHING in the mountains and spending time with the people in my life that aren't emotional vampires! I was diagnosed with AA in January of 2008. I first noticed a small patch on the crown of my head at the part line. Being the google info junkie I am, I immediately jumped into figuring out what was going on and how to FIX IT! I basically diagnosed myself before my first derm appt. When it was confirmed, I didn't know what to think esp after reading that there's no cure. Seeing the pictures online horrified me and that's when the crying spells began. They seemed to worsen when I would find myself online reading more and more of the same information. SO..my treatment was to get the cortisone injections, cross my fingers and try to believe I was going to be lucky, this would be a one time thing and I was going to basically cure myself....mind over body right?! As long as my hair was in a ponytail, it seemed to help. However, since January, one patched turned into 3 and 3 into 7 and 7 into giant patches that just grew together. I also have disperse AA, so now there is no definition to the patches, just a bunch of missing hair. I've thrown out the fact that this isn't a mild case and I'm now learning the art of embracing baldness, wigs, patchy baldness, and perpetual and endless 'bad hair days' :). I'm sure it'll get easier. I've already accepted that this will be a part of me for the rest of my life. And the lessons that I've learned and strength that I've gained has been immeasurable.Its been life changing to say the least. Its just up to me to make it a positive change. I know I can...time heals and teaches. The support of my friends and family has been wonderful. I'm sure I would be in a much different place if it weren't for them.

Do you have alopecia?

Alopecia areata

Are you age 18 or older?

Yes - I am 18 or older

Comment Wall:

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• 

  Paula

  Hi Deidre - How are things going for you? Is the new growth hanging in there? Like you, I have grown new hair all over and I've been able to go hat free for the last three weeks. It's very odd to have hair again. I find myself worrying about whether it's still falling out (only a few hairs every day). The last couple of days my scalp has been itchy and I don't know if it's due to the growth or if it means it's going to fall out again! Have you gotten to point where you don't think about it very often? I hope you are doing well!

  Jun 13, 2009

• 

  Paula

  Deidre! You are my alopecian twin! Your hair looks amazing!! I posted a couple as well so you can see where I am. I am so, so happy for you. Reading your message really calmed my nerves, especially to hear that you had a lot of itching during regrowth too. That's been worrying me quite a bit lately. Have you (or did you) notice any of your newer hair growth falling out? I have a few and my derm said she thinks it indicates that it's probably mildly active. Also, I think I have beau lines (didn't know that was what it was called) vs. pitting. Just on two fingers, one very slight line (really not visible to the naked eye but I can feel the ridge). So glad to hear you had that, too. Like I said, you are my twin! Btw, I'm originally from eastern NC, so not too far from you. :)
  
  I only got one round of injections on my initial patch and no indentations. Although the bald patch is the first place I noticed regrowth, it is taking the longest to fill in completely. I don't recall any respiratory problems, but I did have headaches continuously for about a month. Those finally went away, thank goodness!
  
  Thanks so much for responding to me. I am so happy to have met you. Wishing you continued success!

  Jun 14, 2009

• 

  Devin

  Happy Birthday Deidre!

  Jul 28, 2010