Hello There!

It gives me some inspiration to read some of your posts, to know I'm not alone. I noticed a tiny bald spot on top of my head in August, went to the dermatologist and was diagnosed with AA then. About a month ago, my hair started to fall out in handfuls, especially during and after washing it. I saw my dermatologist who did a scalp biopsy which revealed that I do have AA, but instead of falling out in chunks, it's just thinning horribly. I still have about 50% of my hair; no more bald spots, but it's still falling out really rapidly. I'm thinking I have a month, maybe a few weeks left with my hair, which gives me a lump in my throat to type. I have two beautiful little ladies at home (2 yrs and 4 yrs old) and I'm afraid they might be afraid of mommy or nervous about my bald head. I know it seems silly, but I really do worry about that. I'm also thinking about the beach, the pool, things like that. I don't want to show up bald with my girls and embarrass them!

I'm a teacher, and thinking about taking some time off work. It's caught me totally off guard and I've been quite emotional over it. There are times when I'm really positive, and feel so happy that I have my girls, family, friends, job, and life, but others when I'm seriously down and depressed. I want to be 100% for my 2nd graders at work, and still keep myself together, so time off seems like a good choice for me right now. The other side of me feels guilty for trying to take time off though since I am physically able to work. Not sure what to do. I've rambled on in this, but it feels good that someone who may actually understand could read my thoughts. Thanks :)

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Hi sorry to hear your going through such a difficult time what have written im exactly the same it's such an horrible thing to go through losing your hair,iv been emotional all over the Christmas period feels like the whole hair situation ia taking over my life im going looking at wigs next couple of weeks so there's another step of acceptance I have to go through I feel your pain
I lost my hair almost 2 yrs ago. Started coming out like you described, except I developed full blown universalis. I have a 2 1/2 yr old son and I cried knowing that he'll never know me with hair. He's not afraid of me and when I'm bald, which is always when I'm home he thinks nothing of it. When I wear a wig he says "mommy looks pretty". The emotional hell is something we all can relate too. Husband was supportive but he could never understand what I was going through. I lost a piece of myself when my hair fell out and I'm still trying to fill in that void. I started looking at wigs when my hair was 50% gone and that in itself was another emotional roller coaster. I wear multiple wigs now depending on my activity for the day, vacuum piece at work, regular wig at stores. If you ever need to talk please contact me. Can give u tips on different makeup and wigs and can be a stranger to help you through all the ups and downs that come with this. Good luck and stay strong.

I'm so sorry to hear about what you are going through. My son was diagnosed last March with AA and I'm so happy to announce that he has a full head of hair again. Though, I will never know what you are going thru, what I do know is that there is hope at the end of the tunnel=) Hang in there!

I felt compelled to write you because I also have been recently diagnosed with AA and I stared just like you, but it began Jan. 2012 , then stopped". Grew back and then in September 2012 it all,just came out in a matter of 3 weeks it all came out. I am a principal in an elementary school so I feel your pain. I wear scarves in all different ways. Kids asked me in the beginning why I was wearing a scarf or what happened to my hair. my response was and is "I am bald and my head is cold". They say okay and move on. I still have issues within myself but I plan to just walk into the school one day bald all the way and then wear a wig another day and so on. Telling people I am bald by saying it out loud has helped me in moving on. Losing my eyelashes and eyebrows sucks. But it is what it is.
Do not take off work talk to your principal and other team mates. You will be surprised how many in your workplace may be struggling with the same thing at different degrees.
Thanks so much. I'm still working as of now. I am just having a horrible time accepting this. I feel stupid for making such a big deal, I'd love to be one of those girls who says "so what! I'm not going to let this bother me at all!" But I'm not, and don't think I'll ever be able to accept it. Like I said, I'm not sad all the time, but its almost like I'm not the same anymore, inside or out and I'm scared to death of when it all comes out for good.

Don't be so hard on yourself. You have every right to be upset and depressed. I don't like when people downplay hair loss as if it's "normal." It is probably a process. As time goes by, you'll get better at dealing with it. I am all for fighting it all the way, especially since so much of it is unknown. Plenty of success stories out there, but you have to keep trying to find the source of the issue...could be stress, vitamin/mineral deficiency, poor circulation. This is a great time to make some real lifestyle changes. I don't have it, but my 5 year old son does. It started at 18 mos and I have been trying all sorts of things. It gets easier as he gets older, so that I can convince him to eat better and better.

My daughter started with AA at age 7, this past April. She thought it was cool, I on the other hand reacted as if it were me. I agree with Angie. It is a process to go through. I know it's not me personally and I have such great emotions towards my daughter's AA, there are days I am completely fine, days where I'm sad, and days where I'm so angry. I can on,y imagine as a person going through it the emotions are much greater. You have every right to feel how you do. Maybe over time you will be able to accept or just cope. Its great to have something like this website to,be able to encourage and support each other.
I accident.y replied to your post below under Angie.

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