So I live in NJ and the doctor who was recommended to me is a doctor who specializes in hair loss but I knew more about te and alopecia than her. She actually never really heard of diffuse aa. Can you believe that? She also works in NYC. So good news is that within that one month my eyelash gap did fill in. So I'm happy that my hair is growing back. I think I just got myself worried bc of the newly noticed leg hair that grows so slow bc alopecia according to the websites slows hair growth down until it stops growing. That has got me freaked out a bit.

My husband too thinks I'm crazy and I just need to stop worrying and it will go away. I really do try, but some days I'm not as strong as others. I feel like my hair rules my life. I have 2 kids, age 4 and 6 and I want to go swimming in the pool with them but I'm afraid of getting my hair wet bc I have to wash it again. And my hair looks horrible when it air dries and now it looks even crazier with thin hair and fly always. Ugh!!! I'm so glad you know what I'm going through.

I'm also on viviscal. 4 months now. I'm not sure if it's making a difference though. Do you think it is? It's pretty expensive. I'm also on biotin, vitamin d, multivitamin and selenium.

Do I get the applicator for the toppix? What else do you think I should get accessory wise with the toppix. It looks confusing. I'm such a tim boy so this whole thing is a whole new works to me.

So I'm going back to my derm August 18th. I am going to demand a biopsy again bc I need to know if it's autoimmune or not.

The thing that gets to me he most is the whole unpredictability of it. If I knew I had to wait another year of shedding then I would be fine. It's just the constant shedding all day long that gets to me. I did cut my hair chin length so I can't even put back in a pony tail but I wore a pony tail for about 10 months and I don't want to do that again.

Like I said before, I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help with this. I already feel better. Thank you so much.

Hi Jen: I had a few questions for you regarding your experience.

Did the dr. Take just one biopsy or a few? I read an nih study that said they need 3 scalp samples to differentiate between CTE and diffuse AA. I can send you the study. They also said to look for black and yellow dots on the scalp and cadaver hairs.

Did you buy a wig? I'm not sure if I should get a topper or a wig. I'm afraid of the traction alopecia that a topper can cause.

I was thinking of using toppix. However I'm a brunette with blonde highlights so I'm not sure what shade to use. Have you ever used toppix before?

Since the beginning of the summer I've noticed it now only takes shaving my legs every 5 days or so where it used to take every day. This could've been since this all started since sept 2014 but since it was winter time I don't shave as often anyway so I don't think I noticed. I'm also seeing this with my underarm hair.

Do you lose 50 strands even on shower days? That would be great.

Thank you so much for reaching out to me before on this subject. I just feel so alone in this whole process. So it's nice to know there is support.

Thank you!

Jaime

Hi Jen,

I developed areata when I was about 26 and then universalis when I was 40 something.