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Feeling low
It's been a week since I found out I have Alopecia Areata and just over a month since I discovered the bald patch on my head. During the first couple of weeks while I was waiting to see the dermatologist, I spent practically all of my time researching possible causes of patchy hair loss. It came down to Alopecia Areata as the most likely cause, followed by the mirena iud, some kind of vitamin deficiency, hormonal imbalance, or even cancer.. I was in a panic, but I was determined to find out and fix whatever it was. The day I found out that I do in fact have Alopecia Areata I felt relieved. I knew I was lucky that it wasn't something worse and actually felt like a weight had been lifted and I could finally relax. Just a week before my diagnosis, my oldest sister was diagnosed with Lupus...It's her that I really feel sorry for. But it seems like now that the initial shock of the situation is wearing off, I'm starting to realize that although this is not the worst thing in the world, it is a huge deal to ME. The reality is that only a short amount of time has passed and I'm afraid that my hair loss will progress. My dermatologist started treating the spot with steroid shots and I'm hopeful, but I know that it might not work. It's depressing to know that there is no cause or cure and all I can really do is let it happen...I really don't want to have to live with this. I know that what I'm saying is pretty negative, but I would be lying if I said I felt different. I have basically been moping around my house on the verge of tears for days now, I feel like there just has to be something more I can do.
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Comment by Tallgirl on March 17, 2013 at 12:31am
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I just save the money and stress of shots and let it be. My money goes to wigs with a nicer style than my own body can muster up, so I get by socially and professionally. You will find your own way to cope...just give yourself time.
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Comment by Braya on March 17, 2013 at 4:22pm
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Thanks, I'm sure it will become easier for me eventually. My family and boyfriend have all been great support, I'm just struggling with the shock of it all. Before I googled "bald patch" I had never even heard of Alopecia Areata. It's all kind of new and scary to me right now.
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Comment by michelle on March 17, 2013 at 9:45pm
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Hi Braya,
Give yourself permission to experience all of these feelings. It is quite normal to feel sad angry afraid, etc. This is still so new. And Alopecia is a crappy disease. You don't need to defend yourself just because there are no health risks....losing your hair is traumatic. And at this point you are not quite sure where this is going. At this point make sure you have a family doctor and a dermatologist that you trust to guide you through this process. In addition please make sure your doc keeps close tabs on the progression as Lupus another Autoimmune disease is genetic.
Take it one day at a time.....
Michelle
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Comment by alamogirl/ aka Judy on March 18, 2013 at 5:41pm
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Braya, hello. You are in the roughest part of this right now. The changes are abrupt and so unexpected. Tallgirl has given you the best advice, I think. You will get better at acceptance. It is OK to always want to fight and learn, but the "let it be" philosophy is a healthy one. Blessings and hugs.
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Michelle,
My mom is really trying to push me to get more tests done since my sister was just diagnosed with Lupus and we have a family history of that and other autoimmune diseases and I agree with her, I think we need to rule out any other possible causes, but since I don't have health insurance I have to pay for everything out of pocket and I am having trouble finding a place and figuring out if I can afford whatever tests need to be done.alamogirl
I totally agree with the "let it be" philosophy and I'm sure I will get there. I had a nice week and have barely thought about my hair loss at all. Its on the right side of my head right above my neck and even thought its pretty large, I can still cover it up.
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well this morning while I was blow drying my hair I came across another spot. This one is much smaller than the one on the back of my head. It's about dime size and on the front, left, right behind my temple. It's small enough that it can be covered up, but the fact that it's there really scares me. My next dermatologist appointment is in 2 weeks. I haven't decided if I really want to do the injections again..I'm mostly unsure because I don't want to waste the money if they aren't going to work. I think I will talk to my derm before I make a final decision. It still looks like I have a full head of hair, thin, but full, from the outside...I think it's time to start wig shopping.
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