I understand completely. I felt alone and terrified when this first happened to me. It began in 2012. I noticed my hair was feeling thinner and my hair stylist noticed a small bare patch at the base of my neck in the back. That was the only patch. After that it just continued to get thinner and thinner. I never saw exclamation point hairs. It was a slow process. My hair thinned along with all my body hair. It also stopped growing. I got monthly injections in my head and brows. The hair grew back in those areas, but could not keep up with what I lost. I was on Methotrexate and at the end of last year tried DCPC. It all fell out after that. I am currently taking Xeljanz and have just noticed new growth so fingers crossed.

I don't want to scare you. Everyone is different and you don't even know if you definitely have AA. I would recommend getting a biopsy to make sure and if it is, I would start with the injections. Try not to stress, it only makes it worse. Feel free to message me anytime. You are definitely not alone as you can see by all the people on this site and they are getting very close to finding an actual cure for this stupid disease.

Hey Jamie...
* The doc took two biopsies, and I am familiar with the research you are speaking of. I feel like we have both combed the Internet to the ends of the earth on this subject. No inflammation. No black or yellow dots. No exclamation hairs.
* I was very close to purchasing a wig, but since the shedding died down I chose to let it ride. I have not seen further thinning and am possibly filling back in on top, but the crown is still thin. I even went to try on many pieces, I tried a Follea topper and we could not get it to blend with my already thin hair. And I like you, was worried about the pulling of the combs, it clipped in tight!
* I use toppik to this day. I am dark blonde, used to have beautifully highlighted hair, but have not colored it since this has been going on. The light brown is a good color (I use this), the blondes have a green hue to them and I would not recommend. As long as you keep the powder off of your part it can look realistic and fill in those sparse areas.
* I haven't really noticed that I shave less. But, I think my pubic hair has thinned and other body hair is easily plucked. research says that severe CTE can cause body hair loss as well, I am sure you read he research.
* I have always had to wash daily due to fine hair which gets greasy easily. Today I washed and dried and lost maybe 30. Sometimes it's less than 20 (those are great days), but I would say it averages 30-40. I still feel this is excessive for me, but less than 200+ a day!
* I understand feeling alone in this process. My husband thinks I'm crazy at times. But, if you're not going through it you don't understand. It really takes a toll.
* in addition to Ferrous Fumarate and prescription vitamin D3, I am taking biotin, viviscal and B complex as well.
* I use Living Proof shampoo and conditioner, which is sulfate free. And just found an awesome product that was sent in my birchbox. It's called Oribe texturizing spray. Gives good volume and texture to fly away, thin hair. Expensive, but worth it.
If you need anything please let me know! Hope this helps