Hello and welcome, Christina !
I know how hard it can be. I have had alopecia for about 30 years. After I became the spokesperson for the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, a lot of women were needing my help and support, so I wrote a book called, "If Your Hair Falls Out, Keep Dancing!" It might make you feel better. You can find out more on my page -- and let me know if there's anything else I can do!
LeslieAnn

:) I was diagnosed with AA at 11. Usually about 1-3 bald patches the size of a large coin would appear every year. It was never a big deal because I had a lot of hair. I would also sometimes loose my eyelashes or eyebrows. The hair would always grow back within a year. By the time I went to college the occurrence of AA slowed down.
At 24, I started with 1 patch, then 3, then the patches started merging and forming huge bald patches. I lost all my hair over a 3 month process. After 6 months, I realized I had AU. No hair anywhere. It's been 2 years since the initial loss. I don't take treatments for the condition. Twice the hair on my scalp has started to grow back only to fall out again. It's a struggle, but I'm so blessed. God is working wonderful things in me and those around me. I try not to question; just embrace the moment. If the hair grows back--FANTASTIC. If it doesn't grow back, then I've saved tons of time and money on "beauty" sessions...lol.
Let me know if you have any questions or just want to chat.

Thanks for sharing. I've been through a wide range of emotions since losing my hair 2 years ago. The hardest part seems to be not being able to answer when people ask, "Will it grow back?" Stay strong and stay active on this site. There are so many wonderful people here that motivate me. Have a wonderful weekend.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTS. WHEN WE WENT TO THE RESEARCH INTERVIEW THEY SAID THAT IT MAY BE A RECESSIVE GENE THAT BOTH PARENTS NEED TO BE CARRIERS. BUT RARELY DOES IT FOLLOW FROM YOU. THEY SAID THAT IT IS RARE FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN TO HAVE IT. SO I WOULDNT WORRY ABOUT IT. KEEP STRONG AND I WILL KEEP STRONG WITH MY SON TOO.

Hi Christina. I really don't have a lot of info about passing AA on our children. From what I can gather there is a very 'slim' chance of it. As far as I am awear there is no one in my family that has ever had it, but there is a history of other autoimmune issues. I personally feel our children are more likely to get excma or asma (sorry about spelling) than AA. Keep smiling and show your children how to be positive supportive individuals regardless of what life may have in store for them. I think our children have so much to gain from having a Mum with AA - our attitude to it all could really shape their feelings and actions towards others who may differ from the stereotype 'norm' society wants to mould us into.

Hi Christina, you're welcome and you will be fine!!! I hope you go the group that Jennifer is referring to. It may help you to know your not alone..write any time..Cindy

Hi again,

I will make sure to pass your name along to the houston support group. I think they are about to meet at the end of this month for dinner so maybe you will be able to join them? Anyway, I want you to know that all your anxieties and worries about how this will affect your life are very normal. I worried about the same stuff as you mentioned (my relationship with my husband, children, how it will affect my life, my job etc.). I can only tell you that my husband and I are closer and have a deeper love for eachother. I was very ashamed of what I looked like when I lost my hair and didn't even want him to see me as ugly as I felt and thought it was. He would always reassure me that he thought I was beautiful no matter if i had hair or not. And my worries about all of the others stuff went away over time once I realized that other people treated me with concern, gave me hope, and were always very kind and respectful to me. But it took me a very long time to feel ok with my hairloss so don't feel badly if you feel miserable now.



As far as seeing a Dr., if I were you I would go to see a dr. as soon as possible. I waited WAY to long and I sometimes think and wonder if I would have gone in the earlier stages, I may had stopped the disease from reaching the most extreme (which is Universalis - not any hair anywhere). Maybe you could use that same type of cream you used years ago and your hair will come back? you don't know unless you try?

Hi Christina,thank you for your post. I am sorry to hear that you are going through this again and that it is devastating to you. This is a wonderful supportive group and you will find some great comfort and understanding her. How old were you when you first had Alopecia and did you do anything to make it grow back? True, this disease is not easy to accept and I have had a much harder time with it then Samantha or my husband. But, he is a guy and would just shave his head. Anway, we do not have a history or Alopeica in my family, but rather other autoimmune diseases. Samantha had he first spot at age 5 and 6 months later almost all her hair was gone and she got a wig. She loves her wig, but would like to have her own hair. Sam has never cried over her hair loss and accpets it. We accept her as she is. I do have days that I miss her beautiful long hair. She is now growing it back slowly with treatment. Still she has no lashes or brows. Sam does not have any of the common symptoms associated with Alopeica. I can't say that your children won't get it, because there is no way of telling. But, I don't want to lie to you and say they won't. I do know of a few people who have it and have a child with it. But, please don't spend time stressing over whether or not your children will have AA. It is not worth dwelling about. Enoy them. I am starting a children's support group in my area and my daughter has pen pals with AA and we even had a Boston lunch with adults and children living with AA. I think Jennifer gave you some good advice about joining a support group in your area. It may really help you cope with your Alopeica. Just remember, people will see the person you want to see with or without hair. Don't let a lack of hair stop you from being you. Cindy