Comment by Megan Cunningham on July 19, 2010 at 5:15pm

When I first went to my GP (who happens to specialise in skin and dermatology..supposedly!) she told me that everyone experiences a bit of hair loss and to stop worrying.. I definately wouldn't loose it all. What a thing to say when just 4 months later I'd lost it all but a small patch in the centre at the top due to alopecia areata. Let's just say I never went back to her again!!

I just wanted to tell you not to feel hopeless. SO much easier said than done (god, I know!) but I've just started seeing my very first signs of regrowth after nothing since October 2009. I didn't go down the line of steriods as I had heard that your hair can fall out again when you come off them, but have been having DCP treatment at a hospital in London. It's quite painful and itchy and involves painting a kind of acid on the scalp. For months and months I still saw nothing and was resigned to thinking I will be hairless forever until I recently packed up and went away on a well deserved girls' holiday to Portugal to get away from some of the stress of it. All of a sudden I've got two smallish sized patches of regrowth on either side of my head and I really believe some of that was due to me finally chilling out, shaving my head and completely forgetting about it for a little while. I had another batch of treatment today, so I'll soon see whether it was that that was responsible... or my positive state of mind (I'm willing to bet it was a combination).

So PLEASE try and be positive, because the less stressed you are the less chance of it re-occuring.. I'm sure it seems devastating now (we've all had those low periods), but your hair is capable of re-growth. It happened before and it WILL happen again :) X

Comment by Natalie on July 19, 2010 at 9:21pm

Hi Ellen! I know how frustrating it can be going back and forth to the dermatologist and just hoping that something will work and that your hair will grow back! I think the worst part is the waiting....not knowing when more hair will fall out. You are not alone in this journey! Try to stay positive, and don't be afraid to let your emotions run free. You will have good days and bad days, but whatever you do, don't keep your feelings bottled up. Let me know if you ever need to talk! :)
-Natalie

Comment by Jewel on July 19, 2010 at 11:42pm

I must say... finding this site has been sooooooo inspiring and helpful to me. Ellen, I have had the same thing happen to me. My hair was ALWAYS thick full long and beautiful- for real... I always got compliments on my hair- until it came out! And of course, I had only heard of Alopecia, not knowing anthing about it. I thought the forst 3 patches that showed was from a bad perm. But, I did hair at the time, and realize hair does not come out butt-booty clean from a perm. Found a dermatologist, and for awhile was paying seeing 2 at a time. Then referred to another, who couldn't help, and now seeing another doc. This dermatologist told me the basics, but I agreed to anything that will help my hair come back. MIne started Nov, 08. I've taken those painful shots month-after-month and after about 3 months, April of this year, all spots had filled-in and my hair had thicken and grown tremendously, (in the places where has was left). I began taken some meds that I forgot I was taking right before my hair began this process, and YES... it all came back out again, and VERY VERY QUICKLY. This time it's worse than the past. I got to get some clippers now because I got so sick of looking at myself with a batch here or there. I began wearing wigs about a year ago daily. I have ALWAYS loved hair and did hair! This life event has taken a big toll on my life, but I am learning who I am daily. But I tell you, it's been rough, this is a roller coaster cycle. Who knows, hopefully one day, I may be brave enough to wear it bald. (Also, I was just refeered to another derm, the other week. I missed the appt., and debating on going).
Be encourage, you are not in it alone, and I hope we all here have enough strength to help pull you through, along the journey.

Comment by Susan P aka DGADBS on July 20, 2010 at 7:37am

Hi Ellen, I'm at the same stage as you are, I have no more hair and no sign of re-growth and now my eyebrows and eyelashes are thinning. I broke down and lost it at work when I noticed half my eyebrow was missing, how could I miss that, it was such a shock I wasn't prepared to handle that. I soon got a grip and continued on but it's always just under the surface. I know this is really hard to take sometimes, we'll get through it.

Comment by Maria M Licier on July 27, 2010 at 7:20pm

Sweetie, society seems to think that long locks is a must to be beautiful...half the population in hollywood are all plastic..from head to toe. I love my bald head, yes I get looks, but that is what sets me apart from the rest. I am always dressed to the hilt, with gorgeous earrings on. Beauty comes from within if you project beauty that is what others will see also. I did buy a wig...it does look great, but I am used to a light headed feeling, and the wig makes me fell like I have 20 pounds on...so I through it out....and I must say everyone knows who I am, where ever I go...they remember me...remember project positive vibes and it will be returned 10 fold.

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