Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by LilyBell*Murphy'sLawLuvsMe on September 9, 2011 at 1:59pm

Please look into getting a human hair topper - if it is FPB it may be years and years before you need a full wig. I used Ken Paves Hair Do in Human Hair - called Human Hair Fringe for while and it worked quite well to cover up the thinning top. It is not too expensive - under $150 last I checked and it comes in many colors but since it is human hair it can be colored to match. It clips on to your hair with two very small wig clips and is also not hot at all.

There are many other toppers but for me that one worked best.

I hope you feel better soon.

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Permalink Reply by Nancy King on September 16, 2011 at 5:55pm

Welcome Mini! You have come to the right place. My prescription to help you is reading massive doses of discussions here on Alopecia World. This will "connect" you to people like you! And i have to say, it is most amazing!! I spent nearly 40 years trying to hide my thinning hair. All that did for me was give me awful scalp pain. Once i started coming here on a regular basis, i've stopped trying to hide it almost totally. There are so many other wonderful people here who are just like me. It's what i've always needed. Don't run away and hide. When people look you in the hair, and not in the eyes (they did that to me all the time!!!!), just duck down a little and say, hey, my eyes are here, lol. Come to the U.S. I don't know the statistics, but i'll bet we have at least as many, if not more, bald/balding people to be friends with. Move to Allentown, Pennsylvania....i am currently trying to find some people myself who are like me here where i live :)
Hang in there, Mini. It's NOT the worst thing in the world. I'm sure of it:)
nancy

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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth on September 19, 2011 at 1:02am

Hi Mini,

How are you? I can really sympathesize with how you feel, because I'm Indian as well, and I have had so many Indian people come up to me and ask me if I'm going bald, or why I'm losing hair.... I now wear a hair piece, and so I am able to get away with those insensitive comments about my hair, but still there are some who will boldly ask me if I'm wearing a wig:( I just want to encourage you, because you are a beautiful girl, and I know it is hard, because not everyone is as friendly as we would hope for, and I pray that God would send you people with positive energy to help you in your time of need. Be blessed!

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Permalink Reply by Bk on September 21, 2011 at 9:23pm

Anger and frustration...are they synonyms for alopecia? I feel like even with the acceptance of "my condition", it still lurks in the shadows. The reasons may change, but the anger and frustration is still there. I just try not to dwell on it...being angry, frustrated,and bald.
I know, easier said than done.

A topper is a fantastic idea! And headbands, and hats, and creative hair styles (look at how Donald Trump rocks the comb-over LoL). All of those things will help cover "your situation" and hopefully give you some peace. I just hope you don't feel like you have to hide. Or that you're less of person because of this. Or that its something you did or something you didn't do or if you just changed your diet...was more of something/anything...those are thoughts that lead to anger and frustration. The endless loop.

I can't imagine the cultural aspect that you have to deal with when it comes to alopecia. Definitely doesn't make your journey any easier. A topper really is a good first step. Or maybe some Toppik ( http://www.toppik.com/keratin-protein-hair-building-fibers-product-... )? Depending on the severity? Either of these would help to ease the anxiety of being in public. Shaving your head sounds kinda drastic, but if that makes you feel like you have control of "your situation" then by all means...go for it. I think courage comes from self confidence and self confidence comes from acceptance...acceptance of you..."your situation" and whatever that might be. Everyone has a cross to bear, some are just more noticeable than others.
Good luck to you!

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Permalink Reply by sangprem on September 22, 2011 at 11:30pm

Hi Mini

I am Sangeetha, my daughter has Alopecia and she is 8 yrs old. I understand what you are going through, it is not easy but be strong. The past one year i have been working with my daughter to be brave and love herself for what she is. She has grown to be a girl who feels that being hairless is a blessing.

In India, it is tough but take it upon yourself to be a spokeperson out there about AA and you will be amazed at what happen to you from there onwards.

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Permalink Reply by Mini on September 28, 2011 at 11:54am

hello everyone! thank u so much for ur encouraging replies! i did feel better! just got my blood tests done. need a little help in interpreting them though. The derm i visited looked at them and said i have slightly less iron. he didnt really ask me anything..just directly put me on minoxidil 2% for a month. is that normal because he didnt ask me any questions regarding my history and background. my mum's very skeptical about me using them because she thinks i'm too young to be put on something that i might be dependent on for life. (oh! n the derm forgot to mention it to me that i might be hooked on to minoxidil for life..i kinda researched about it online) so..my results were like this..
t3-1.46
t4-10.28
tsh-5.01
iron-41
ferritin-50.28
r my levels normal? can they be a reason for hair loss? do i need to go on minoxidil so early on??

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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth on September 28, 2011 at 5:26pm

Hi Mini, I find it odd that your doctor did'nt question your family health history and background, that is very important. As far as your blood test results, I can't be of much help there, because I'm not a doctor..however low iron levels can cause hair loss, but I believe it has to be very low level for it to do that...Minoxidil needs to be taken for up to 4 months to see some hair growth, but the doctor should have done a more thorough analysis. If I were you, I would ask for a scalp biopsy, to really understand what is causing the hair loss. Also check your testosterone levels as well, because mine are very high, which is why I'm losing hair.....Hope this helps...

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Permalink Reply by LilyBell*Murphy'sLawLuvsMe on September 28, 2011 at 6:50pm

I agree I would ask for a biopsy. Also my derm says that only the 5% Minoxidil really works - twice a day -says the 2% is just too low to get results - and yes it can take months before you know if it is working - it may not ever work.

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Permalink Reply by Mini on September 30, 2011 at 1:55pm

Hi Elizabeth! I know I need to get a proper derm first. I will get a biopsy done for sure. You say your testosterone levels are high? Haven't you looked into any hormonal therapies that could help you?

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Permalink Reply by Heather on September 29, 2011 at 8:05pm

Hi Mini, I really hope you're doing okay. I was diagnosed with Alopecia at 11, and have lost all my hair since then, so I guess our situations are a little bit different, but I really hope I can still help. I guess things are a little bit different in Canada than in India, but I know that for me, the worst thing I could possibly do is hide it. I was always stressed, anxious, and angry when no one knew what I was dealing with. It wasn't until talked to people about it that it really started to get better. It sounds a bit backwards, but by telling and educating others on Alopecia, it really helped me accept myself and my condition. I think you'll be surprised by how accepting people can be. I've gone completely bald since then, and to be honest I'm kind of proud of it. It makes me different.
You said you're worried about being single and losing your hair. I definitely get that... I'm only 18, but it is always sort of a constant worry. What I've found is that even though I'm bald and people know about it, guys are still interested. I figure if immature teenaged boys can look past my lack or hair, more mature guys can too. Also, do you really want to date someone who wouldn't like you without hair? In a way, it's sort of a blessing in disguise, as it separates the jerks who focus on the physical from the real nice guys.
As I mentioned, I think the best thing you can do is express what you're dealing with to the people around you Unless people are given the opportunity, they can't sympathize with you and help you. Your friend who commented on your hair did so because he didn't know you were uncomfortable about it or that it was even an issue. You might be surprised, but you friends would probably be a big support for you while you're away from your family. I hope everything works out!

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Permalink Reply by Mini on September 30, 2011 at 1:52pm

Hi Heather! All that you said made a lot of sense. I know I'm being foolish but I still don't wanna lose my hair to the extent that I have to hide it from the world. I don't wanna let it get so bad. Ever since I started this discussion, so many things changed. I am now in a relationship - with my boyfriend of 8 years. We had gone our separate ways but now we are back together. During one of my 'depression' days I broke down and told him I was gonna go bald...I cried and told him I won't blame him if he wants to leave me. And he says 'hey wow! i'm going bald too! will u leave me now? or maybe if i lose a hand or my sight..would you leave me?' yes he's balding and that makes it the two of us. It's funny really..but I still don't wanna go bald. :(
All i want to do right now is be positive...i'm trying so hard. I want to see a good derm and get whatever it is diagnosed so that I KNOW. My best friend has been a huge support..my mom's really worried that I will worry myself to death about this whole hair loss thing..she says it will get worse with all the stress. Staying positive, meditating and eating healthy food seems to help, according to my mom. I hope it atleast stops where it is right now - my hair loss. I really don't want it to get any worse.

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Permalink Reply by Srikanth on August 24, 2017 at 9:54am

Hello Mini,


I am Srikanth from Hyderabad India and I can pretty much relate to your story.

As you have said it is hard to survive with Alopecia in Indian community as people don t accept it easily.

I have suffered a lot due to this condition, I could nt be the person I wanted to be, I lost all my dreams and now I have to alter my carrer plans and ambitions.

I had to do a lot of research on this and I tried each every possible method to solve my problem, interestingly a medicine has fixed the problem temporarily.


Age: 21 -( Ayurvedic medicine ) >> small patches

Age: 22- Small patches > used minoxidil and steriods >> did not work, patches were still growing

Age: 24: By this time I had visited many hospitals and no one seems to have valid solution, At last I found a doc who suggested cyclosplorine which is a immuno suppressant, which I used for an year and the hair yielded well for all the time I used the medicine.

until this age I covered my head using a head cap.

Age: 24- Just after I informed doc about pain in my stomach after consuming the immuno suppressant, doc suggested to stop the tablet.

Age: 25: since then I had to shave my head every day by my self (painful).

Age 26: Hair does not grow any more, lost eye brows and eye lashes too.


I bought a wig for 780$ which I barely used (never used).


I would have never bought a wig but my parents wanted me to wear to impress the girls parents/family for marriage, but every one keeps rejecting just for not having hair. >> by this time I have become familiar with rejections.


My motto in joining this community is to share my knowledege and make friends who are facing the same problem, Also I'd be happy to find my life partner through this page.


I am very thank full to the creator of this page as it has brought us all together.


Thank you.


Regards,

Srikanth Reddy

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