Alopecia World
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I'm New Here! Here's My Story.
Greetings! Although I am not yet bald, I am sort of afraid (make that
terrified) that I will be eventually. For the past year or so my hair has
been falling out at a rather steady pace when I comb it. I went to
dermatologists, endocrinologists, trichologists, and gynocologists to try
to get to the bottom of this. One said that going on a birth control pill
might help, but I've heard negative things about the Pill (increased hair
loss, blot clots, no sex drive) and I'm aprehensive. Another said that my
Sebborheic Dermatitis may be causing hair loss, but I heard that the
scalp condition can't do that (and if it did, it would be patchy, not
diffuse). My trichologist said that part of my hair loss is genetic
(About 40%) and part of it is Tellogen Effluvium from a lack of Iron in
my diet (I was borderline anemic). When he mentioned Tellogen Effluvium I
breathed a huge sigh of relief because I thought this nightmare would
finally be over! Well, it has been a month since I've been on his
recommended Iron supplement and I'm STILL losing a lot of hair in the
shower and when I comb it!
Losing my hair has been one of the most devastating things that has
happened to me so far. Up until just about a year ago I had a thick head
of curly hair. You could barely even part my hair! That's how thick it
was! Now it's like all you see is the part. It shows up in pictures and
I'm afraid it's going to keep getting worse. I have been trying to cope
with it and come to terms with the fact that one day I might be bald, but
it is very hard. I got to a point where I at least accepted it, but when
I confronted my mom about it, she immediately shot me down and said "I
won't let you get bald!" That made me feel worse. I was looking at some
of your pictures and you all look so beautiful and confident with
yourselves, inside and out. I admire that.
One of the biggest reasons why I'm afraid of going bald is because of
this guy I like. He's always known me with my thick hair and I'm afraid
that he would no longer be attracted to me, physically, without it. I
know it may sound silly and immature of me to worry about that, but I
can't help it at the moment. I'm also concerned about what I'm going to
do for a future career. I am confident that I want to pursue advertising
and marketing/sales, but I really don't want to be confined to a wig,
should it come to that. The thing is, would a company allow me to wear a
head scarf or a bandana or would I have to give in and wear the wig?
As you see, fellow members of Alopecia World, I am concerned about not
only my appearance, but also about my future career and love life. If any
of you could give me insight, advice, words of wisedom, words of
experience, etc, I would sincerely appreciate it from the bottom of my
heart. I am in a fragile place right now.
Thank you for reading. =)
terrified) that I will be eventually. For the past year or so my hair has
been falling out at a rather steady pace when I comb it. I went to
dermatologists, endocrinologists, trichologists, and gynocologists to try
to get to the bottom of this. One said that going on a birth control pill
might help, but I've heard negative things about the Pill (increased hair
loss, blot clots, no sex drive) and I'm aprehensive. Another said that my
Sebborheic Dermatitis may be causing hair loss, but I heard that the
scalp condition can't do that (and if it did, it would be patchy, not
diffuse). My trichologist said that part of my hair loss is genetic
(About 40%) and part of it is Tellogen Effluvium from a lack of Iron in
my diet (I was borderline anemic). When he mentioned Tellogen Effluvium I
breathed a huge sigh of relief because I thought this nightmare would
finally be over! Well, it has been a month since I've been on his
recommended Iron supplement and I'm STILL losing a lot of hair in the
shower and when I comb it!
Losing my hair has been one of the most devastating things that has
happened to me so far. Up until just about a year ago I had a thick head
of curly hair. You could barely even part my hair! That's how thick it
was! Now it's like all you see is the part. It shows up in pictures and
I'm afraid it's going to keep getting worse. I have been trying to cope
with it and come to terms with the fact that one day I might be bald, but
it is very hard. I got to a point where I at least accepted it, but when
I confronted my mom about it, she immediately shot me down and said "I
won't let you get bald!" That made me feel worse. I was looking at some
of your pictures and you all look so beautiful and confident with
yourselves, inside and out. I admire that.
One of the biggest reasons why I'm afraid of going bald is because of
this guy I like. He's always known me with my thick hair and I'm afraid
that he would no longer be attracted to me, physically, without it. I
know it may sound silly and immature of me to worry about that, but I
can't help it at the moment. I'm also concerned about what I'm going to
do for a future career. I am confident that I want to pursue advertising
and marketing/sales, but I really don't want to be confined to a wig,
should it come to that. The thing is, would a company allow me to wear a
head scarf or a bandana or would I have to give in and wear the wig?
As you see, fellow members of Alopecia World, I am concerned about not
only my appearance, but also about my future career and love life. If any
of you could give me insight, advice, words of wisedom, words of
experience, etc, I would sincerely appreciate it from the bottom of my
heart. I am in a fragile place right now.
Thank you for reading. =)
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Comment by Carrie on August 6, 2008 at 7:25pm
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Alexandra I could have written those words. I have AA and am still able to hide it with my own hair, but it has been progressing at an alarming rate and I am very fraid that I will not be able to hide it soon. I don't have any words of wisdom. Just know that you are not alone and there are others out there with the same fears and concerns. We'll get through it together.
I know it's cliche but if the guy you like can't handle it than he's not the right guy anyways. Not a big help I know, but true. The right guy will love you unconditionally.
I don't think a job can discriminate against you wearing a scarf. Maybe wear the wig for interviews, but be open about the condition and feel out future employers.
Hope this helps.
Carrie
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Comment by Alexandra on August 6, 2008 at 8:07pm
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Hi Carrie!
Thank you so much for replying. It's just as good to hear that somebody can relate as it is to hear somebody's advice. You were very right in what you said, and I thank you for it. I do know that I deserve a man who will love me unconditionally, but it's hard sometimes to think that something as trivial as hair should matter.
I'm at the point where I just want to know where I stand with my hair. Nothing is more frustrating than not knowing whether I should let my hair run its course and see what happens or if I should just grab a razor and shave it off. I'm tired of the grey area. It's time for it to either be black or white, figuratively speaking.
Thanks again, Carrie, for responding. You have no idea how good it feels to know I'm not alone in this.
Alexandra
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Comment by Lisa on August 7, 2008 at 8:45am
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Hi Alexanandra - I am new here also and I swear you stole the words right out of my mouth! I was diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia almost a year ago and my hair is still falling out. I had the same massive thick curly hair you have and I too thought that it was my best feature. How alarming when you are losing what you believe to be your best asset! If you do not know me you would not know that I am suffering from this as I am still able to hide it. I fear it won't be long now. Somehow it is strangely comforting to hear someone else speak what I feel, have the same fear and be confused on how to get a grip on something that has not reached a final point. I would suggest not shaving it off as my mom has this problem and she has very thin hair, but is able to hide it on her own. I was lucky in that she happens to be beautiful so we never noticed what she worried about EVERY DAY. One more thing, try try try to enjoy your hair each day. In reality we only have "now" so why not take advantage of today and let tomorrow happen as it will. That is how I have tried to cope and it helps 75% of the time! Glad you are here and thankful for what you have shared.
8) - Lisa
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Comment by Mandy on August 7, 2008 at 12:03pm
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Alexandra,
First of all WELCOME. :o)
As for your boyfriend...he will not care about your hair. And if he does, that's all the more reason to get him out of your life anyway. Any GOOD man knows that little physical traits like hair are not what a relationship is about.
As for your career...I can tell you that my head is shaved short and I wear a bandana to work every single day. I wore my wig to work for a week, but was hot and uncomfortable. So I told my boss that I was going to wear a bandana to work. Everyone at my job was awesome about it. I know in the US they can not discriminate against you if you wear a bandana or scarf or nothing at all. And I promise you that people will not care as much as you might be thinking. I think if I was applying for a new job, I would wear my wig on the interview. Then after I got the job I would talk to the boss and let him know my condition and that I'm not sick or dying and that I will be wearing bandanas so that I'm comfortable and able to give 100% on the job.
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Comment by Kellyp36 on December 27, 2011 at 3:10pm
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I am waiting on a biopsy to confirm, but my dermatologist diagnosed me with a late onset Alopecia Totalis Universalis, with a Chronic Telogen Effluvium - I am 36. I never had super thick hair, but I started losing my hair about 2-3 years ago and it just gets thinner and thinner *by the minute*. I know exactly how you are feeling. I am getting married in 4 months and I just hope there is something I can do with my hair by then. Right now I use a protein fiber on my part - it helps thicken and darken the area so I don't look as thin. You might want to check that out?? It will definitely help.
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