Comment by Lexi on May 31, 2013 at 9:20pm

Astrid, Just a comment...your photo hair is gorgeous. I for one feel no matter what you do, if the hair loss is going to happen, there is nothing you can do to stop it. Maybe some things will work for you, I hope they do. I myself would be afraid of the side effects of steroids, and the vitamins don't work, at least for me. Did nothing. I had the full panel of a gazillion tests...and all proved nothing. I don't believe treatments and products contribute to the hair loss. Just my two cents for what it is worth, good luck !
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Comment by Astrids Extras on May 31, 2013 at 9:37pm

Thank you for the photo comment is before my hair loss, I had to cut my hair all the way to my shoulders. I now have patches around my scalp it looks like ringworm. I am waiting to see how much more my hair would I shed before I cut it again. I will post a current photo, I haven't been feelng in the "mood" to take pictures of myself :( Today I started feeling pain around the bald spots. I took the blood test today... I do sound hyperchondriac but for reassurence I rather go through the list. Lexi, any comment is better than none. I have no idea what I am doing or what I have. I am having second thoughts about the steroid the doctor prescribed.Reading a few blogs yesterday and today has helped me go through my daily activities. thank you for listening :D

Comment by michelle on June 2, 2013 at 4:29pm

Hi Astrid,

Losing your hair and not having any idea about the cause is scary. I am glad your doc is doing a thorough check, i.e., blood work. Hair loss can be a symptom of some medical conditions. I am not a doctor but I would be cautious around taking any medication until you receive a diagnoses. I would highly suggest having your doc refer you to a dermatologist.

Comment by Astrids Extras on June 3, 2013 at 11:57am

Hi Michelle,

Thank you for your suggestion. I actually, thought about it and I am going to wait for a diagnosis before taking anything. I have a follow up soon, hopefully by then I can be refer to a dermatologist.

Comment by Margaret Brennan on June 3, 2013 at 3:27pm

I imagine that nothing is scarier hearing that your hair is falling out although I think I would be more scared if they told me I had untreatable cancer. I never had to go through that since I had this since I was under age 2 and it was just part of who I was. Having been a contact person and support group leader for many years you need to go through all the grieving, trying out various treatments and see what happens. find a support group near to you, go to the NAAF conference once you know that is what you have for sure, and read the information on the NAAF site and this one. Be careful of junk science out there. People will be happy to take your money and offer you cures but if you think about it logically if there was a cure one of the big companies would have snatched it up and be selling it through pharmacies. I have tried plenty of the vitamin, creams, lotions etc cures that off the beat companies sold me. Never again. I just flushed my good money down the toilet with them. Take some one to your doctor appointment with you if you can since you need another person with you to listen to what he/she has to say. I find when I am stresssed I only hear part of what the docs tell me and ususally the most important stuff I forget or don't even hear. But do find a support group near you.
grandma maggie

Comment by patches on June 4, 2013 at 10:52am

Just to reassure you, I had AA last year. Started with a quarter sized spot and turned into 3 BIG spots. One the size of the palm of my hand. I didn't take any meds, just some vitamins that weren't any different than I had taken all along. I accepted the spots, and slowly, over the course of the year, THEY GREW BACK! I now have a full head of hair like nothing ever happened! I am cautiously optimistic because I know it could come back again, but I am happy to say I don't have any spots now. Stay positive, there is a chance it could all grow back within the year. It happens a lot that people who get this later in life have it grow back within the year.

Comment by Terry on June 5, 2013 at 11:34pm

Hi Astrid, I am new to Alopecia World too but not new to dealing with Alopecia. I have been dealing with it for over 20 years. My first episode happened when I was in my early thirties and my hairdresser noticed some bald patches at the base of my neck. I went to a dermatologist who diagnosed Alopecia. He didn't recommend treatment and since my hair covered the bald patches I didn't get treatment. The patches went away all on their own and my symptoms did not come back for 15 years. I was almost 50 when my second episode of Alopecia started. This time I went to a different dermatologist who started treating me with cortizone shots on the patches. This worked for a while and the hair grew back after treatment however after a while I started losing my hair in different spots and a lot more rapidly. Eventually I lost all of my hair. My dermatologist told me about steriod treatments but advised against it. She said the health risks with using steriods were too great and I trusted her judgement. I also learned from her that it is VERY UNUSUAL to lose all of your hair as I did. I agree with what Lexi said about steriods. Even though my dermatologist was not able to prevent my hair loss she offered great advise and common sense when others were just trying to sell me products. I know what you are going through is horrifying and stressful but try not to blame yourself or think this was caused by something you have control over.

Comment by tmbenn on June 7, 2013 at 9:28am

I had a small patch appear when my best friend's husband died. My hairdresser said to take biotin (this was also recommended by a doctor). Then my mom fell and broke her shoulder and had to stay with us for six weeks as she couldn't drive or do much for herself. Then I switched jobs. I also had a son graduate during that time. During the summer BOTH my in-laws died. Each time, I would lose a little patch of hair. Then due to my company being bought out by another, I had my hours cut, lost my benefits . . . and more hair. I realize that my stressors are not near as horrible as many have suffered, but apparently my body thought otherwise. The only recommendation the doctor could make was for me to quit my job, lol. Not going to happen. I will say this much, I started some new supplements--just a regular vitamin with some added herbs or whatever--it's supposed to be for hair regrowth. Ironically, I have small white hairs appearing on most of the patches. Whether this is due to the supplements or not, I can't say. I think the best way to handle it is just accept and do what you can with your hair style. I just had a lady with an OMG you're losing your hair moment with me yesterday. It was the first time I didn't cry when someone said this to me. Maybe I'm starting to heal emotionally. From what I've seen, there is nothing else I can really do except embrace it and have a different hairstyle every time I visit my stylist. And I feel I am fortunate the more I read. I still have about half my hair. Many don't have this and I pray that I continue to be so fortunate. Good luck to you! I hope you can find peace with this.

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