Alopecia World
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How it all started...
On Feburary 21, 2009, I woked up that day and started brushing my hair and a clump of hair came out. I realized that something must be very wrong, but didn't think much of it. Then I shampooed my hair, after I was done, my whole bath tub was filled with my hair. I ran down to my kitchen, and started to cry infront of my parents. It was such a scary experience, because since I was very little, I was very conscious about my hair. Like brushing my hair 100 times a day to make it silky and shiny.
Two days later, I went to see my family doctor and explained my situation to him. He said to me, what was the big deal, it is JUST hair. My family doctor knew I was a nurse, and he said to me "you are a nurse, how can you be so upset with something so little like that?" After he said that, I then again burst into tears. To me, losing my hair felt like the end of the world, and he is telling me that I am making such a big fuss over this. I did some blood tests and hoping that I will have something abnormal in my blood result (like hypothryoidism, anemia, or EVEN diabetes, beacuse these can be treated). However, in the back of my mind, I knew I probably have alopecia areata because I feel prefectly fine. I waited one week till the results came by, I took time off work because losing my hair was such a shock to me. For that one week, I sat at home and thought about all kinds of things. Am I losing my hair because I always tied my hair in a pony tail? Am I losing my hair because I dyed my hair or I always use conditioner on my hair? Am I losing my hair because of stress? After I got the blood test results back and knew that everything was fine, I was happy and upset at the same time. I was happy that I do not have cancer or something life threatening. I was upset as I know, alopecia areata will be difficult to treat and has no cure. My family doctor referred me to the dermatologist.
Now, I had two visits to the dermatogloist and have taken local steriod injections on whole head. I have only two bald spots, but I have diffuse alopecia areata. My hair keeps thinning out throughout my whole head and now my scalp is showing. My dermatologist said I will probably will lose everything in 2 months. I am very traumatized now. I brought a lot of scarves but do not know what to do with them. Brought a wig that is 2700 Canadian and feel ripped off as it doesn't look very natural on me. I was wondering if anyone have diffuse alopecia which developed to alopecia totalis. I am praying to god everyday that my hair will grow back, any suggestions?
Two days later, I went to see my family doctor and explained my situation to him. He said to me, what was the big deal, it is JUST hair. My family doctor knew I was a nurse, and he said to me "you are a nurse, how can you be so upset with something so little like that?" After he said that, I then again burst into tears. To me, losing my hair felt like the end of the world, and he is telling me that I am making such a big fuss over this. I did some blood tests and hoping that I will have something abnormal in my blood result (like hypothryoidism, anemia, or EVEN diabetes, beacuse these can be treated). However, in the back of my mind, I knew I probably have alopecia areata because I feel prefectly fine. I waited one week till the results came by, I took time off work because losing my hair was such a shock to me. For that one week, I sat at home and thought about all kinds of things. Am I losing my hair because I always tied my hair in a pony tail? Am I losing my hair because I dyed my hair or I always use conditioner on my hair? Am I losing my hair because of stress? After I got the blood test results back and knew that everything was fine, I was happy and upset at the same time. I was happy that I do not have cancer or something life threatening. I was upset as I know, alopecia areata will be difficult to treat and has no cure. My family doctor referred me to the dermatologist.
Now, I had two visits to the dermatogloist and have taken local steriod injections on whole head. I have only two bald spots, but I have diffuse alopecia areata. My hair keeps thinning out throughout my whole head and now my scalp is showing. My dermatologist said I will probably will lose everything in 2 months. I am very traumatized now. I brought a lot of scarves but do not know what to do with them. Brought a wig that is 2700 Canadian and feel ripped off as it doesn't look very natural on me. I was wondering if anyone have diffuse alopecia which developed to alopecia totalis. I am praying to god everyday that my hair will grow back, any suggestions?
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Comment by Paula on March 30, 2009 at 10:09pm
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Hi Carol,
Our situations are sound very similar. Mine started on January 17th, and I am very thin all over. I can still wear a hat without it being too noticeable, but I feel like my weeks are numbered.
The good news is that I am seeing some regrowth. I've been told by a dermatologist that when it falls out fast (like ours) and when you are older (vs as a child) prognosis is good (read my blog for more details). It will likely take 3-4 months to see any signs of growth.
It's hard to accept but there is absolutely nothing you can do to stop the hair loss. You can only manage it. It's been very traumatic for me as well but I feel hopeful this will reverse itself soon. And this site is very inspiration and encouraging to see so many people who have such great attitudes about their alopecia.
Hang in there. It will be ok.
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Comment by Lee on March 31, 2009 at 12:31am
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Hi ..I am VERY surprised that a DR would say you would probably lose all of it. Nobody knows with this condition what is going to happen. My Dr told me he would make mine come back. That was 2 yrs ago and I am still bald. They really should learn how to deal with these situations better. Your hair can come back ESPECIALLY if this is the first time you have had alopecia...so do not lose hope. If it does come out, there are many options out there as well.
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Comment by Jeff W on April 1, 2009 at 12:04am
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Carol, I empathize totally with you. This is a traumatic affliction and the fact that it is so unpredictable only makes it worse. Like yourself, I went through exhaustive testing almost hoping there was an underlying treatable illness to attribute this to. Even the best doctors can't predict where this will progress, so at times it's discouraging to pay our doctors to tell us "I don't know" (what caused it, when it will stop, whether or no the hair will come back). Please hang in there and show that pretty smile as much as you can. This site should help you see that alopecia need not be a hindrance to our beauty, success, and happiness!
Jeff
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Comment by elle on April 11, 2009 at 1:55am
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hi~ i had the same experience of having all the lab tests done with hopes it was thyroid or something but it turns out i am the perfect image of health (except for this). But cheers to our health right? but just recently i do need a wig or something... you look so cute with your hat.
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Comment by Lori M on April 11, 2009 at 9:18am
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With Alopecia you have no clue when it will all fall out or if it will. i have been losing my hair steadily for a year now. It started off as a bald spot at the back of my neck at the bottom. Then one developed on the side of my head and then i ended up with the turban pattern which is hairloss all around the periphery of your head. Now the rest of my hair on top is thinning like crazy. About two months ago I went and saw Debbi Fuller about vacuum wigs and they are amazing!!! I felt like holy cow I can have a normal life again!!! When I say normal I mean normal for me. Plenty of people with Alopeica do just fine without vacuum wigs. Anyways I don't have the guts to shave my head now in order to get one. Now when I look in the mirror "sans wig" I see the phantom of the opera (when his mask is pulled off at the end) and that really gets to me. I have some nice wigs which I am wearing now which are synthetic but am gearing up for the vacuum. I too am doing the steriod shots and big deal they are creating "down like on a duck" on my head so don't think I will continue with them too long...I have pretty much accepted that this is how it is going to be and I am moving on. There are still days though where I think you know this just really sucks! I had one of those days the other day when I wrote my blog.
Give yourself time. You will see it gets better. We all have bad days and I know you feel so alone. I get like that too. On those days I come to Alopecia World and get all the hugs I need. Here is a super big hug from me to you! And Carol you are stunning without hair.
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Comment by Clayton on April 22, 2009 at 6:18pm
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I feel for you, Carol. I really do. Even though it's been close to 20 years since I lost my hair, I can remember like it was yesterday. That sinking feeling in your stomach, the loop of questions playing over and over in your head, wondering if there was something you did to cause this. I know what you're going through and I'm sure everyone on this site understands.
Hopefully, there will be re-growth, it DOES happen and right now, I'm with you, concentrating on whatever good may still happen. There's time enough later to deal with whatever hand you're dealt and we'll help you with that.
Right now, hope and pray for the best! One thing though, you're a lovely young lady whatever happens. You're blessed with great facial features and good bone structure, things most women would love to have. If worse come to worse, you'll just be showing them off all the more! LOL Stay strong and keep your head up.
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