Comment by jamie1 on September 26, 2008 at 10:38pm

Hi Laurie, Yes, I received your post. If I can recall correctly, my friend was treated with Neurontin which relievd most of the issues with scalp pain. I don't think that shedding was an issue in her case. While I certainly understand the emotional issues, you might want to wait on the shaving. If a pony tail hurts, how much pain would you be in from shaving? However, I can relate to your distress. Sorry , if I sound like Dear Abby but why not compromise with a really short hair cut? Friends and family should not object. On bad hair days, go for the scarf and earring look. If you wind up having to get your head shaved, this gradual change might make for an easier transition.

Comment by Lori Powers on September 27, 2008 at 9:58pm

Hi Laurie. Believe me when I say it's one of the hardest things EVER to do. But here's the thing - if you're meant to have hair, it will ALL grow back after you shave it.

I have family that thinks that it's the worst thing in the world that I'm bald (NOT my husband or son - they actually think it's pretty cool...my mother, father, sister and brother)... do what you think is right for you. XXOO

Comment by jamie1 on September 30, 2008 at 10:47pm

Dear Laurie. Today, I could not help but think of you and what you are going through. Before my head was shaved (this time), I chose to document the progression of my hairloss in a series of photos. As a man I'm embarrassed to admit this, but when I looked at these phots today, I started to cry. My thoughts turned to you. It's really sad that others cannot understand what a painful process hairloss is. It is such a relief just to shave your head smooth and be done with it! Only you can find a way to make that decision but I undersatnd the conflicts. I've had to shave my head four times because of recurrent bouts of areata. Hair is good; bald is good, patchy and shedding is just painful.
Every time there was someone who just thought I was plain nuts. Looking at your photos, I think the
bald look would be very attractive on you. You have the face for it. Whatever you decide, best of luck to you. As you know, there are so many nice people on this site who will support you. Jamie

Comment by Jessica on October 17, 2008 at 12:02am

Hi Laurie.

Have you doc check you ferritin serrium that can cause hair loss it's from low iron. You Ferritin needs to be above like 70 to grow hair and at least 40 to maintain it. Mine is 10 yes very low so I've started an Iron supplement they say it can take months to turn around the loss.

hope it helps

jessica

Comment by Marie on January 6, 2009 at 1:08am

I completely understand about wanting to shave your head and make it decisive -- have hair or don't have hair! Limbo is hell! I wear wigs and would shave my head without hesitation except for the fact that I like to pull a little of the remaining hair out from under the wig at the front hairline. But, I'm sailing in the Virgin Islands this summer and I most likely will shave it before I set sail.

Comment by Alexandra on January 10, 2009 at 10:48pm

Laurie, I know exactly how you feel! (Apparently you know how I feel too since you replied to my blog about this very subject!) =)
I know how it feels to want to shave it all off and just be done with it once and for all! No more hair loss! No more waiting to see how much hair you'll have from one day to the next. Believe me, I understand. It's so hard to watch the hair continue to shed and not be completely sure as to what's causing it. As the days go by, I get more and more tempted to shave my head and be done with it. I bet it would be a huge relief!
No matter what you decide to do, I support you in it!
Alexandra

Comment by Gena King on March 18, 2009 at 11:30pm

I held on to the hair I had for a long time ..too long(hence the mohalk) I couldnt except the fact that it was falling out again..so If youve excepted the fact that your loosing yolur hair ..go shave it and get a beautiful wig..once you do it,, theres no turning back and you will be forced to move on...bald is beautiful

Comment by Julie Koch on August 9, 2010 at 7:18pm

I had contemplated shaving as well... I just can't take the pain anymore of scalp burning, itching, pulling feeling, etc... I told my mom and she said "NO"! That hurt that she didn't support it even if it would help me live more normally. I think she knows that I would regret it, but I still would like to. My fear is that the pain and sensitivity would still be there since the hair roots are still alive?

Comment by Kara on January 16, 2012 at 4:01pm

I know this thread is old, but this is the point I am at now - do I just shave it? It is still falling out (has been shedding for about 10 weeks now). Picking the hair off myself in the shower every morning is so traumatic. I still have some in the back, but it looks ridiculous without a hat on. But then I am afraid that as soon as I shave it, the shedding may stop and I could have kept the hair in the back to blend in with a topper or something. Also I still cant' try on toppers or wigs since my scalp is so sensitive. I just wish it wasn't so unpredictable so I could plan ahead and make peace with being bald.

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