Hi Josh - Thanks for the add !!
-Peace

Thank you :) I'm so happy to be here...

Hi Joshua, hope you are doing well, I haven't been on here as much, just trying to deal with life, and my AA, trying hard not to become too depressed over it all, I have the Ophiasis pattern, which doesn't hold much hope anyways, but I've had so many fall outs, and regrowth's, I just kept thinking it would just be done, and that would be that, I've heard so many stories, even my Dentist Brother, had AU for 5 years while in Med school, it all grew back and has never fallen out again. I tried not to take to heart everything I read, and how negative the internet can be, and sometimes just downright scary. I've never stopped praying for a cure, and I don't think I ever will. I've been using the Minoidil and Clobetasol now but don't think it's doing much anymore. Your always such a positive person, I'm always glad to read your posts. Thanks Joshua.
Christine

Chris has always been a good student. He was handling his hair loss fairly well when the doctors said it was due to his anemia and as soon as the anemia was under control his hair would grow back - within 9 months. He saw it as a temporary thing and he was just wearing a hat while waiting for it to grow back. Then, the day the doctor told him it didn't look like it was the anemia, but the autoimmune disease alopecia universalis, and his hair loss was quite possibly permanent, I watched as he deflated. He was told to continue to hope that someday his hair would return, but now there was no timetable and the ever-present possibility that if it did return it would probably fall out again. In talking with all of his teachers, it was the day after the new diagnosis that he "zoned-out" from his classes. I've also noticed a dramatic reduction in the number of text messages he sends and receives. His sisters have tried talking to him and have made sure to let him know that they are there for him if he wants to talk. I've offered to take him to a counselor that he could talk to privately, but he tells me I'd just be wasting money because he won't talk to them. I'll just keep praying that he finds someone to open up to and in the mean time try to give him some space and deal with any failed classes next school year. He has three more years of high school to find his way and hopefully a passion he can pursue.

Thank you for your insight. I have left the choice of treatment or no treatment as well as wig or no wig completely up to Chris. He has decided that it's not worth pain for the slight chance hair will grow back (and then fall out again). He also thought the idea of a wig or fake eyebrows was ridiculous. I just try to offer him whatever is available, but leave the decisions up to him. I even bought him 4 different types of hats so he could try them on at home because he didn't want to take off his cap in the store (I then returned the ones he didn't like).

The only thing I'm real concerned about is his emotional well being and how that seems to be affecting his school work. Chris' teachers have told me that he just stares off into space and "zones out" during class, not participating or turning in assignments. I'm trying to give him his "space" and be supportive. He is a very bright kid and I just don't want him to fail his classes and have to suffer the consequences for years to come.

Joshua, since you have been through all of this, could you let me know what you would have wanted someone to do when you were first dealing with this at 16? You said you didn't have a good relationship with your parents, but what would you have wanted from then had your relationship been better? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you, I just wish I could do something to make this easier for him. I pray that he will have your positive attitude some day.

wow, very good that spanish....lol well, this is the best place to master it! You are always welcome here. greetings!

I'm doing pretty good, I've been busy with school so I couldn't get on.