Alopecia World
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This is me... new here
I stumbled upon this site somehow, and have loved it so far. I'm looking to make some new friends who are going through the same things, and this seems to be a great place for that!
In August of this year, I noticed a small bald spot right at the crown, and chalked it up to stress. I hoped it would go away, and for a while was able to cover it with my hair, by changing the side I parted it on. Then I noticed all the hair I was losing, and by the middle of September the spot had grown to the size of a baseball. I broke down and went to my family doctor, and she at first though it was some sort of infection of the scalp. She prescribed a shampoo, told me to use it daily, and see her in a month. Well in that time, I lost even more hair, and the spot had grown larger than a softball. I also found a few more smaller spots, upon some further inspection. She had no answers at this point, and sent me to a dermatologist. The derm doc is great, and diagnosed me with alopecia areata right away. She started me with the steroid shots to the scalp, and clobetasol for the smaller spots. I see her again in a few weeks. Meanwhile, the hair is still falling out, but I'm holding out hope that it will slow down soon. Upon researching the AA myself, I learned it could take quite some time, so I'm still holding out some hope.
I went through a really rough time during this, with my 9 year relationship coming to an end, and then my grandfather getting very ill. He passed a few weeks ago, and my life is still upside down quite a bit. I'm wondering if all this is contributing to the AA at all.
I work retail, and have been fortunate that my company has allowed me the luxury of head wraps and scarves, as long as they aren't "too wild". I recently decided to look into some wigs, and have got a few that I do love. I'm not quite comfortable enough to go out without some sort of cover on it at this point, and I'm trying to do anything and everything to hide it from the general public. A year ago I had gorgeous hair, halfway down my back, all one length, and now it's thin, with many bald spots, and so my self esteem has taken a hit. I keep wondering how I'll bounce back into the dating scene, will my AA hold me back?
Luckily I found this site, and have been very pleased with what I've read and found here. It seems like a great place to meet people who are going through the same things, and having some friends to talk to when I get down on myself will be nice... I look forward to chatting with so many of you and hearing your stories of how you all cope too!
In August of this year, I noticed a small bald spot right at the crown, and chalked it up to stress. I hoped it would go away, and for a while was able to cover it with my hair, by changing the side I parted it on. Then I noticed all the hair I was losing, and by the middle of September the spot had grown to the size of a baseball. I broke down and went to my family doctor, and she at first though it was some sort of infection of the scalp. She prescribed a shampoo, told me to use it daily, and see her in a month. Well in that time, I lost even more hair, and the spot had grown larger than a softball. I also found a few more smaller spots, upon some further inspection. She had no answers at this point, and sent me to a dermatologist. The derm doc is great, and diagnosed me with alopecia areata right away. She started me with the steroid shots to the scalp, and clobetasol for the smaller spots. I see her again in a few weeks. Meanwhile, the hair is still falling out, but I'm holding out hope that it will slow down soon. Upon researching the AA myself, I learned it could take quite some time, so I'm still holding out some hope.
I went through a really rough time during this, with my 9 year relationship coming to an end, and then my grandfather getting very ill. He passed a few weeks ago, and my life is still upside down quite a bit. I'm wondering if all this is contributing to the AA at all.
I work retail, and have been fortunate that my company has allowed me the luxury of head wraps and scarves, as long as they aren't "too wild". I recently decided to look into some wigs, and have got a few that I do love. I'm not quite comfortable enough to go out without some sort of cover on it at this point, and I'm trying to do anything and everything to hide it from the general public. A year ago I had gorgeous hair, halfway down my back, all one length, and now it's thin, with many bald spots, and so my self esteem has taken a hit. I keep wondering how I'll bounce back into the dating scene, will my AA hold me back?
Luckily I found this site, and have been very pleased with what I've read and found here. It seems like a great place to meet people who are going through the same things, and having some friends to talk to when I get down on myself will be nice... I look forward to chatting with so many of you and hearing your stories of how you all cope too!
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Comment by JeffreySF on November 21, 2009 at 11:54am
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Hi Callie,
I'm glad you stumbled into Alopecia World and are enjoying your time here.
Jeffrey
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Comment by Reever White on November 21, 2009 at 12:55pm
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Callie, welcome. I 'm sure you'll find many who have or are experiencing the very same thing that you are facing. I have been losing my hair since I was 32 yrs. old, I'm 55 now. I wonder everyday why I still have hair to lose. It's heart breaking. I'm very hesitant about where I go and who I'm around in fear that some one will accidentally pull off my hat or scarf. I was constantly looking over my shoulder. I don't get out much any more because of a disability. I still won't even allow my children to see my head unless it is absolutely necessary. You're young and hopefully can adapt to your new life style and rebuild your self esteem. I also have two daughters that are showing signs of alopecia as well, my birth mother suffers from alopecia too. I think it is hereditary. Hold your head up and blessings to you.
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Comment by Mary on November 21, 2009 at 6:35pm
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Welcome to Alopecia World, Callie! It's a wonderful community. Hang in there and just take it a day at a time and know that you're not alone.
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Comment by Pat Latina on November 22, 2009 at 8:10am
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Hi Callie, I'm new to the site as well. I know exactly where you are. I started loosing my beautiful full-head of black hair at age 35 after I had my son. I'm now 48. I also don't go anywhere without my hair pro. But I realized that there's worst things that can be happening to me, don't get me wrong I didn't come to this realization over-night, just in the few last years. Sorry about your relationship and grandfather. Blessings to you.
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Comment by Callie on November 22, 2009 at 9:44am
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Thank you all so much for your kind, thoughtful words of wisdom! I'm still coming to terms with my AA, and this site is wonderful for learning all kinds of things and seeing so many others with similar issues as well!
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Comment by Mallory Crowner on November 23, 2009 at 7:55am
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Welcome Callie! I hope you find peace and acceptance in your journey. It can be rough, but with a place like Alopecia World, I hope you know that you're not alone and that everybody is here for you. Here's to you finding a smile today! ;o) Looking forward to getting to know you....
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Comment by Natalie on November 23, 2009 at 12:16pm
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Hi Callie and welcome to Alopecia World! This is a great place to find support and get advice :) Please feel free to ask me anything- I would love to help :)
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Comment by Kathleen Smith on November 25, 2009 at 1:34pm
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Hi Callie... I haven't been on the site for awhile, but was just browing around today. I have battled alopecia all my life (I'm now 55). The worst was 3 years ago, when I pretty much lost about 75% of my hair. I tried the steriod injections, etc. Nothing seemed to work. I then went to a homeopathic doctor and right now I am having the most beautiful head of hair. I'm not sure if I will lose it again, but I know how you feel. Some days I would just look in the mirror and cry. The only advice I can give you is have fun with the wigs and try to be positive. Oh and by the way, I met a wonderful man when I had no hair and it didn't matter a bit to him. We are now married. I hope you find a man that loves you for what's inside. This disease can make you grateful for all the good things in life.
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