My very first blog - advice would be appreciated

Well, this is the first time I have written a blog on here, but I figure it's a good way of getting things off my chest.

I first noticed a tiny bald patch about the size of a penny on the top of my head back in August and I started to panic. I went to the doctor and chatted with friends and they all told me not to worry as it was most likely stress. This made me feel a lot better. I was travelling to Canada for 7 weeks 2 days later for work, so I went and put the bald patch out of my mind. Then I remembered I had got a french plait done on the top of my head and the girl who did it pulled my hair really tightly to make sure it would stay in for a few days, so I googled....It was there I learned about traction alopecia and I thought this might be what I had. The patch has since become bigger. I was then sent to Spain for work for 6 weeks. The patch got bigger again, but I was still able to cover it up. Then on the week I was due to come home, I noticed another tiny patch on the back of my head...this was 3 weeks ago and I have also found another 3 small patches. I went to the doctor in Spain who told me I had alopecia areata and this was caused by stress so he gave me a steroid liquid called Betnovate and also pills to help relax me. When I got back home I went straight to my doctor who told me its not stress and I will prob have to come to terms with losing all my hair. This of course was a bit of a shock and I was really upset, but then I had a chat with myself and tried to be positive about it. Of course I have bad days when I cry about it but then I tell myself to stop as there are people out there with life threatening illnesses. I am determined not to let this beat me. The path on top of my head is now about the size of an oreo cookie (thats the best way I can describe it lol) ... I can still cover it but if it gets bigger I may have trouble, especially as there are more patches throughout my head. I went wig shopping the other and wasnt happy with the selection. I really want one that is close to my own colour but I think it will be very hard for me to find that :( Can anyone recommend anywhere I could get a good quality wig. I am willing to pay whatever it takes. In the meantime, my head has been itching like crazy, mostly at night time and I have been lead to believe this could be regrowth...I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping this is the case and that I wont lose all my hair. A close friend told me the exact same thing happened to her sister and she was told she was losing her hair due to having low protein intake, so she started taking more protein rich foods and her hair grew back. I went to the health shop as they are more helpful than my doc and I got a vitamin to help my hair and also a multivitamin that helps with stress, fatigue, hair regrowth etc so I am hoping this could work. I have also been trying to eat a bit more protein as I dont like milk, red meat etc so I know I am not taking a lot of protein. If anyone could offer any kind of advice I would be extremely grateful.

Thanks for reading!

Sarah xo

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Comment by Jeff W on January 3, 2010 at 11:29pm
Sarah,
Please do whatever it takes to find a doctor who has some understanding of Alopecia Areata (probably a dermatologist). While losing all of your hair is a possible outcome, if you look at the medical statistics it is more likely that your hair will eventually come back. You should have proper medical tests such as those Heather mentioned to see if there is an underlying medical cause for your alopecia. Please remain hopeful that your condition will reverse in time. I went through exactly the same progression as you are going through a year ago and although the hairloss was dramatic and took many months to reverse almost all of my hair has now returned. Please get a second opinion and go through some of the old blogs on this site. You will find a plethora of information about alopecia here as well as advice on wigs and styling options to help you get through this. You have a wonderfully positive outlook on this and I'm sure you'll be fine! Please don't hesitate to send me a message if you have any questions.
Best wishes,
Jeff
Comment by Heather L on January 3, 2010 at 10:17pm
Hello Sarah,

I'm sorry you are going through this!! It is a emotionally consuming condition!! ugh- I"ve had it off and on (all "on" the last few years) for 20 years!

I do think it would be a great idea for you to see a specialist who should run some blood tests to rule out
some other conditions that might be underlying your hair loss. ( i.e. thyroid test, ANA, Vit. D levels, RA
factor - there are a few other autoimmune diseases that do sometimes correlate to AA- so it's a good idea
to rule those out.) I have a complete list of test he recommends from my docs. office somewhere- if you want it let me know.

Try to remain hopeful! I know that is hard! It is different for everyone- for me topical steroids seem to
really help my spots to stay smaller and the hair re-grow quicker.

Check out a great post by Susan-- It is great compilation of info. which says it all! Wish I knew how to post the link here....sorry! BUT it is under Blogs"- and at the bottom on that page you can click on previous blogs-
you will see it. It is only a page or two back - titled " Alopecia Awareness For Newbies & Veterans"


Good luck & let me know if I can help!
Heather
Comment by John M. on January 3, 2010 at 9:01pm
Hi Sarah - I can't offer any good advice on a wig, but in terms of your Alopecia, I'm not sure your doctor's recommendation on coming to terms with losing all your hair was exactly sage advice. You'll hear this said on this forum a lot, but the only "sure" thing about alopecia is that it is unpredictable. While true there are cases where alopecia areata (AA) turns into totalis or universalis (AT and AU, respectively), that is not always the case. Sometimes it just stays at AA for a while until your immune system stops attacking the hair folicles, then the hair grows back.

In my case, I "think" I'm in a remission/transition stage where my spots are filling back in but yet I still shed here and there (fingers crossed of course!). It's taken me 5-6 months to get to this stage since all this mess started.

The best advice I can provide you is to do your best to put the AA aside. In truth, that advice is easier said than done, so the next best advice would be to prepare yourself for an emotional ride (like the one I had). YOu'll have days where you'll frett about it big time, other days where you're much better, and still days where you're in denile. It's all natural, we've all gone through it, and YOU ARE NOT ALONE in this.

Hang in there, reach out to others on this forum or local support groups for help, and feel free to drop a line if you have questions.

Take care for now!
Comment by Sarah McA on January 3, 2010 at 5:02pm
Hi Heather....thanks for the comment...I wish you luck with the dermatologist....my doctor hasn't referred me to a derm though...i don't think he really wants to know to be honest. I am planning to call him this week and tell him I was him to make an appointment. All the best to you too...this website is great!
Comment by Heather Lynn Peckham on January 3, 2010 at 4:54pm
Hi Sarah, your story sounds just like mine minus the traveling. My'ne first started on Christmas of this year. Pretty scarey. I was told by my primary care physician what it was and I have to see a dermatologist for the first time on Jan. 8. I'm not sure what to expect. I wish I had some knowledge to share with you, but am new to this as well. I wish you all the best. - Heather

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