I am in the same boat my hair has been shedding more then usual for the past 3 or 4 years but the last 3 months its gone overboard, I have spent thousands on testing and went to every doctor and noone can help me, I am so depressed because I used to have beautiful hair and now its so thing you can see through it all over, but its not like fpb its thinning evenly all over I am so ashamed and scared and confused and too searching to find a wig I might like to make me feel a little better. nathalie

Hi Sheryl!
Sorry it took a while to get back to you. Between moving and school, I've been super busy. I'm taking a break from studying right now (hehe).
So.....you want to just shave it off!! Wow! That's a big step! But most people that I know of who've done it felt more liberated. You must be at the point were you've just had enough already.
About the vacuum wig--for me it works out great! But I dont have to shave my head or anything. The suction won't work unless your head is totally bald, or shaven. I found that its not too bad in the summers here with it on. I tend to stay indoors for most of it anyways. I don't think I'll ever get used to the heat!! Some drawbacks are: it gets oily, especially towards the end of the day. I sometimes have to take it off just to wipe it down inside because it starts to lose suction and slip around. Its also very expensive, and it's mail-order. A rep from Peggy Knight cam to AZ to take a mold of my head, but everything else is by mail. I have to say that it didn't bother me much, but I know that its not for everyone. The pros: The hair is top quality gorgeous!!! I've never had a wig this beautiful or natural-looking. I don't feel self-conscious at all, and that was a major thing for me. I don't feel other people's stares on me, or get nervous when I'm talking face to face with someone. You can always call Peggy Knight Solutions and they will send a rep out to meet with you. Ther'es no obligation, and they have samples of other types of wigs too. Good luck with everything! Keep in touch, I want to know what you decide to do! If you ever want to come to one of our meetins send me you contact info. I would love to meet you! My email address is sgomez33@cox.net

It was great to meet you too. Keep in touch & let me know if you have any questions. Are you planning on buying that wig you talked about?

Great! I live near I17 & carefree highway. I was thinking we could meet at 9am & have breakfast. My son finishes school at 12:30pm & it's pretty close to were we are meeting. Let me know what works for you, you can call or text me as well.
Talk to you soon,
Julie

Are you still up for meeting tomorrow?

Hi Sheryl,
How about me meet on Thursday at the good egg on carefree highway & scottsdale rd? What time would work for you? I'm available from 9am. If you want to give me a call my # 480-280-5994.
Julie

Sorry, I meant next Thurs the 11th, would you be able to meet then?

I'm looking forward to it too. When I have an idea of weh I'll be free I'll let you know but I'm thinking about Thursday, March 11th, my son is in morning preschool so how about we meet for coffee or any early lunch/brunch type of thing. Let me know if that day will work with you.
Have your Dr's no idea of whats causing your hairloss? I can imagine that has got to be so frustrating, I'm sure you want an answer on what is going on. Can I ask how much hairloss you have at this time?

Great! I'm pretty busy up until Easter but after that I'd love to meet. I'll email you soon to see when is good for you!

Talk soon,
Jules

PS. Jon is going along well. He has started to get involved in life again. He even had a girl friend for a while over the last few months. They just broke it off.
As for me. I am slowly relaxing as Jon becomes more accepting. Though I will say that he still hasn't totally accepted the fact that he may be bald for the rest of his life. He doesn't like to be different. I suppose that is teenagers for you...
Would love also to see some photos of you in your wigs if you get time to upload them.
Take care
Susan

Sounds like you have the right kind of man behind you. What a Godsend hey? Good on him.
Enjoy your wigs BTW.
I am sorry that you have been depressed though I can understand. Jon has been depressed since he started developing AU.
I truely hope that things work out for you. Whether through acceptance or your hair does grow back. All I can say is that no matter what you have to stay positive. That goes for any situation in life. If we don't stay positive then things can get us down and that can affect the people that are close to us. Enjoy your wonderful husband and your gorgeous children.....

Hi,

Thanks for getting in touch. I know how hard all of this can be! So...you don't have a confirmed Alopecia diagnosis? Do you have patchy loss or overall thining? I've had alot of regrowth & never shaved my head. I was terrified to go the wig route but honestly my hair was looking so bad & now I feel like I look so much healthier plus I was so depressed & paranoid of my hair loss. I bought an excellent quality wig with virgin human hair & I LOVE it!

Since receiving it a few months ago my life has changed & I feel so much better & barely think about the hair loss now. I just don't let myself go there too much. If you ever want to meet let me know. I live in N. Phoenix.

Hi Sheryl,
I sent you a friend invite and I want to also Invite you to our AZ Alopecia Divas Group, we have seasonal functions/gatherings for that needed Girlfriend moral support. Come join us. :)

Hi Sheryl
How are you at the moment?

Hi Sheryl,

I just joined this site & i live in Phoenix. I was diagnosed with AA a couple of years ago & I'm now getting to the point where I need to wear a wig. As I'm new to this I wondered if you could let me know what is available in AZ as far as wigs go? I'm trying to do my research & find out what different hairpieces are out there.

I hope you are doing well,
Jules

I noticed that you said no matter how ugly you FEEL you look. That is good that you know deep down that you are NOT ugly!!!!
I know how you must feel - not wanting to go out in public. Jon is the same at the moment. He won't go to school and doesn't want to go anywhere. I am endeavouring to seek help with the school part. The other I keep taking him out to do odd jobs around - trying to get him out there amongst people. I know with myself that if I face up to what I fear or don't like that I feel better for it in the long run. I am trying to make Jon see this. Not having much success at the moment but hoping that something is going into his head.
I think another thing to be mindful of is to keep thinking positively. If you find that you are thinking something negative - stop yourself and try to change it into a positive thought. I have been told that no matter what age you are you can 'retrain' your brain to think positively. It doesn't solve all problems but it may help a bit with peace of mind.
I believe that God does answer our prayers too. Though sometimes not in the way we expect. I often think that Jon getting AA was meant to be to make our whole family stronger and closer together. I keep trying to tell myself that everything happens for a reason and one day I will work it all out. FOr the moment live your life, don't waste a minute. That's what I tell myself anyway. Though we have ups and downs I guess that's natural.
And yes, your kids need you and you need them. They will definitely learn from your experience and be better people for it. I have been told that children are survivors and that they work things out with love and support.
AT the moment we are just living from one day to the next. Today ok so far. How about you?
Thank you for your lovely comments about being awesome. I don't know about that, but I do love my son and that's all that matters.
Hope you have a great day today. God bless you too.
Susan

Thanks for the friend invite. How's your day been?
I don't have AA my son does but I agree with BR Horton - it could be worse. At least this way you are healthy and can enjoy your kids. Your kids will love you no matter what you look like, just as you love them no matter what.

Right there with you sister. Don't feel helpless. Feel thankful. I feel thankfull that I did not have to overcome it at a younger age and met my wife, had kids, and then had it strike. You and me, we are the lucky ones. You will see how pretty the women on this site are. Look at Cheryl below this comment, and Georgia Van C and a lot of others. The thing about you is that you are very pretty. You can overcome this and make it work. Accentuate your positives, (You obviously have lots of them) and be thankful it is not something hideous like Leukemie. (My mom died of it when she was 34. Miserable disease). I am in a similar situation as you. My wife thinks it will grow back. LOL. I know that is unlikely. You can contact me anytime if your feeling misunderstood or just need someone who can relate. For a lady, this has to be difficult.