Andrea's Posts - Alopecia World2024-03-29T13:13:27ZAndreahttps://alopeciaworld.com/profile/Andrea100https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2077775499?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1https://alopeciaworld.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=2el0fxvtinycg&xn_auth=noNew Growth!tag:alopeciaworld.com,2010-01-11:2022678:BlogPost:3970422010-01-11T21:02:11.000ZAndreahttps://alopeciaworld.com/profile/Andrea100
Okay, my hairloss was about 80-90% due to my Lupus. I have now been on Plaquinel since Nov 23 and a Biotin/Fish Oil regimen since Nov 1. The first picture shows the peak of my loss before I noticed that I didn't seem to be losing and the second picture is today. Just Friday I thought I saw 1/2" hairs among the 2-3" hairs. My mother looked and sure enough she saw a lot. So I got the rest of my hair shorn to 1" to even it out. I tried to duplicate the exact lighting so it shows the same but you…
Okay, my hairloss was about 80-90% due to my Lupus. I have now been on Plaquinel since Nov 23 and a Biotin/Fish Oil regimen since Nov 1. The first picture shows the peak of my loss before I noticed that I didn't seem to be losing and the second picture is today. Just Friday I thought I saw 1/2" hairs among the 2-3" hairs. My mother looked and sure enough she saw a lot. So I got the rest of my hair shorn to 1" to even it out. I tried to duplicate the exact lighting so it shows the same but you will see it is decidedly thicker!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/VioletKitty411/?action=view&current=Picture34.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/VioletKitty411/Picture34.jpg" border="0" alt="Dec 14 2009"/></a> <a href="http://s61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/VioletKitty411/?action=view&current=Picture36.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/VioletKitty411/Picture36.jpg" border="0" alt="Jan 11 2010"/></a><br />
<br />
So my hope is that I have good coverage by summer! Thank you EVERYONE here at AW. Especially you, Cheryl and RJ for creating this great resource!Back to the Rheumatologisttag:alopeciaworld.com,2009-12-29:2022678:BlogPost:3931812009-12-29T16:12:26.000ZAndreahttps://alopeciaworld.com/profile/Andrea100
Well, I went back and got my official diagnosis after extensive testing. I mean <i>extensive!</i> I had 15 vials of blood drawn. Because he was confident what he would see, he started me on treatment a month ago. I am on Plaquinel (a quinine based anti-malarial) and Neurontin (an anti-seizure) to treat the symptoms of Lupus. It's not an exact science...there's a lot of trial involved in regulating medications.<br />
<br />
I've been dealing with Pleurisy, an inflammation in the Lungs which can cause great…
Well, I went back and got my official diagnosis after extensive testing. I mean <i>extensive!</i> I had 15 vials of blood drawn. Because he was confident what he would see, he started me on treatment a month ago. I am on Plaquinel (a quinine based anti-malarial) and Neurontin (an anti-seizure) to treat the symptoms of Lupus. It's not an exact science...there's a lot of trial involved in regulating medications.<br />
<br />
I've been dealing with Pleurisy, an inflammation in the Lungs which can cause great fun when doing unnecessary things...like breathing. Also there's pretty significant pain in my right side below my ribs so coughing, sneezing, hiccupping, burping, yawning and laughing can hurt. All this in addition to the arthritic type symptoms.<br />
<br />
On the plus side, he is confident that once the plaquinel is really controlling the disease my hair will return. My mother is encouraging me to sheer it very short (less than 1 inch) so when it comes back it will do so more uniformly. I'm hesitant because I have so little hair and frankly...it's cold outside.<br />
<br />
So I got the diagnosis I was prepared for...now it's learning to live with it. I hope for a remission.Abuses in the Indian Human Hair Tradetag:alopeciaworld.com,2009-12-28:2022678:BlogPost:3929962009-12-28T20:17:28.000ZAndreahttps://alopeciaworld.com/profile/Andrea100
Below is an excerpt from the film "Good Hair" by Chris Rock showing the inner-workings of the "human hair" weave trade. Featured is a religious ceremony called "tonsure", practiced in India. Also featured is hair stylist Elgin Charles Williams. I haven't purchased a human hair wig yet (one 50/50, unsure of origin) but when/if I do I will make sure it is not Indian hair. I thought these women were being paid for their hair, they are…
Below is an excerpt from the film "Good Hair" by Chris Rock showing the inner-workings of the "human hair" weave trade. Featured is a religious ceremony called "tonsure", practiced in India. Also featured is hair stylist Elgin Charles Williams. I haven't purchased a human hair wig yet (one 50/50, unsure of origin) but when/if I do I will make sure it is not Indian hair. I thought these women were being paid for their hair, they are not.<br />
<br />
<object width="660" height="525"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/CqMn7cFGgaE&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="never"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/CqMn7cFGgaE&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="never" width="660" height="525"></embed></object>Merry Christmastag:alopeciaworld.com,2009-12-24:2022678:BlogPost:3923452009-12-24T19:42:26.000ZAndreahttps://alopeciaworld.com/profile/Andrea100
I rarely make my YouTube videos embeddable, but I wanted to share this with you all! Be…
I rarely make my YouTube videos embeddable, but I wanted to share this with you all! Be blessed!<br />
<br />
<object width="660" height="525"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/vxI0n7rb48A&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="never"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/vxI0n7rb48A&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="never" width="660" height="525"></embed></object>No Hat, No Wig, No Problemtag:alopeciaworld.com,2009-12-08:2022678:BlogPost:3887252009-12-08T12:46:29.000ZAndreahttps://alopeciaworld.com/profile/Andrea100
So this weekend I went to DC and stayed at the Gaylord National Resort. My mother had a conference there for continuing education, and I went along for the ride and the free vacation, since I'm afraid to be alone should I have another attack like the one that almost required a tracheotomy. Anyway, this resort is VERY ritzy. You know the scene in <i>Pretty Woman</i> where Julia Roberts first enters the hotel and goes "Wow!" Like that.<br />
<br />
I'd had pain on the drive down. What should have been a…
So this weekend I went to DC and stayed at the Gaylord National Resort. My mother had a conference there for continuing education, and I went along for the ride and the free vacation, since I'm afraid to be alone should I have another attack like the one that almost required a tracheotomy. Anyway, this resort is VERY ritzy. You know the scene in <i>Pretty Woman</i> where Julia Roberts first enters the hotel and goes "Wow!" Like that.<br />
<br />
I'd had pain on the drive down. What should have been a three hour journey was over 5 because my mom had to make so many pitstops (Note to self: next road trip remind mother not to drink all day). By the time we got to our room (and a beautiful room it was) I was literally crying from the pain and it took several hours for it to abate, which it did around 1:30am. So I was finally hungry and went looking for food. I thought I'd find a vending machine on my floor, so I just put on shoes and headed down the hall, hatless and wigless. I have about 80% hairloss at this point. It was a great look, lol!<br />
<br />
Well, no machine was to be found, so I headed to the lobby from whence I was directed to the sports bar. They'd closed their grill and suggested room service to which I responded "I didn't really wanna pay $30 for a cheeseburger" and the manager said they had a bunch of cold sandwiches and asked if I would like one. I said sure and asked how much they were, and he just gave it to me, complete with chips and water. I know I look a fright but there was no funny staring or the other extreme which is concerted lack of looking at me.<br />
<br />
The next day, I headed to the salon with wig in hand to ask if a stylist could thin it out for me (actually it was in a bag...I didn't wanna carry it, lol!). The stylist who came out discussed it with me and asked if she could take it back to her manager. When she returned she told me she was gifting a cut to me because she wanted me to feel comfortable in my skin. I was overwhelmed by the kindness. When she was done she walked me out and looked around and said "Jesus is going to heal you." I knew she was a Christian, she had that inner glow.<br />
<br />
I sat in the hot tub with complete strangers without a hat or wig and I wasn't self conscious...and they talked to me and didn't look at me funny. I don't know what the future holds. But if hairless is my life, I feel confident that I can live with it. On a side note, I wish if my hair on my head is falling out that my legs and underarms would likewise get smooth...but NO! That's not fair, lol! Even worse...I think the hair supplements I'm taking are working...on my eyebrows! They are getting long! Again, not fair! However a woman on the drug that I started about 2 weeks ago told me that after two months on that drug (Plaquinel) her hair loss has stopped. I do have hope for that!<br />
<br />
Have a beautiful day. :-)Why Not Me?tag:alopeciaworld.com,2009-11-25:2022678:BlogPost:3842782009-11-25T02:33:24.000ZAndreahttps://alopeciaworld.com/profile/Andrea100
As I've shared before, my hairloss is (as far as I know) related to another health issue. 2.5 years ago, I got a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis but in the last year my symptoms have ramped up, culminating in an ER visit in September, and a host of bizarre symptoms (where I started treatment for Lyme). I finally got into the rheumatologist today, and he gave me a working diagnosis of Lupus and began treating it. I will get labs tomorrow, but he was confident that regardless of the final…
As I've shared before, my hairloss is (as far as I know) related to another health issue. 2.5 years ago, I got a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis but in the last year my symptoms have ramped up, culminating in an ER visit in September, and a host of bizarre symptoms (where I started treatment for Lyme). I finally got into the rheumatologist today, and he gave me a working diagnosis of Lupus and began treating it. I will get labs tomorrow, but he was confident that regardless of the final diagnosis, this would be beneficial.<br />
<br />
Of course, given my health, my hair is not the primary concern but I had a humourous moment when I asked if there was anything that could be done about my hair, he said "Wait for it to grow back." So he's fairly confident that once we get this under control, my hair will return. In the meantime, I'm pursuing as much good health via vitamins and nutrition as I can get.<br />
<br />
I don't claim that this doesn't bother me...it does. However, in the last 6 years I've been through the ringer with my health (starting with a massive car crash to this most recent trial). I can honestly say I've never said "Why me?" Throughout it all I've never believed that there is something so special about me that I deserve to spared of all pain and inconvenience in this life. Why not me?<br />
<br />
A solid realization that life is filled with difficulties and we are not promised perfection helps these situations in our lives seem more like speedbumps than roadblocks in the road of life.<br />
<br />
Blessings all, and Happy Thanksgiving!<br />
AndreaHair Care OCD?tag:alopeciaworld.com,2009-11-16:2022678:BlogPost:3805342009-11-16T17:57:10.000ZAndreahttps://alopeciaworld.com/profile/Andrea100
So I was in the shower and thought about this as I was scrubbing my hair. Have you become a bit obsessive about your hair/scalp care?<br />
<br />
On days divisible by 4 I wash my hair with a coal tar based shampoo. I've been using it for over 10 years because I have dandruff from hell. I've had it since I was born and had no hair back then either ;-) I really scrub it to because I figure a healthy, stimulated scalp has a better chance of regrowth. If I lose all my hair I will still scrub the scalp with…
So I was in the shower and thought about this as I was scrubbing my hair. Have you become a bit obsessive about your hair/scalp care?<br />
<br />
On days divisible by 4 I wash my hair with a coal tar based shampoo. I've been using it for over 10 years because I have dandruff from hell. I've had it since I was born and had no hair back then either ;-) I really scrub it to because I figure a healthy, stimulated scalp has a better chance of regrowth. If I lose all my hair I will still scrub the scalp with the stuff. Also, I figure if I lose it because I was scrubbing...it was fixin' to fall out anyway. Better to take care of it in the shower than find it everywhere :-D<br />
<br />
On even numbered days I apply Folicure serum to my scalp. I have yet to notice a difference but I've only been using it for a couple weeks. I'll give it a couple months. It smells like bread dough.<br />
<br />
Every day I take a hair care supplement and fish oil from GNC. I figure the worst case scenario with those is that I'll be generally healthier and have better skin and nails even if they don't encourage hair growth. My nails have gotten quite soft in the last month and they have always been great.<br />
<br />
It was the fact that I was so organized about it (days divisible by 4, even numbered) that had me feeling a bit OCD. Of course, I alphabetize my CDs by artist. If I have more than one by an artist, then I organize them chronologically. And seriously...I'm NOT a neat freak!<br />
<br />
Just thought I'd share a little humour with you all!First Day Out with a Wigtag:alopeciaworld.com,2009-11-05:2022678:BlogPost:3738192009-11-05T17:49:18.000ZAndreahttps://alopeciaworld.com/profile/Andrea100
So on Tuesday, my aunt gave me a few wigs she had on hand and I ordered 2 more...one that will like like my real hair and one that is totally not, lol! I'm not ready to invest in an expensive wig until I know the nature of this, though at this rate it will be gone by Christmas. Yesterday, I spent most of the day with my mom getting her glasses and whatnot, and I wore this all day with fairly good results. Here are a before and after shot.<br />
<br />
Before:…
So on Tuesday, my aunt gave me a few wigs she had on hand and I ordered 2 more...one that will like like my real hair and one that is totally not, lol! I'm not ready to invest in an expensive wig until I know the nature of this, though at this rate it will be gone by Christmas. Yesterday, I spent most of the day with my mom getting her glasses and whatnot, and I wore this all day with fairly good results. Here are a before and after shot.<br />
<br />
Before:<br />
<a href="http://s61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/VioletKitty411/?action=view&current=Picture39.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/VioletKitty411/Picture39.jpg" border="0" alt="Wigless 110509"/></a><br />
<br />
After:<br />
<a href="http://s61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/VioletKitty411/?action=view&current=Picture40.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/VioletKitty411/Picture40.jpg" border="0" alt="Wig 110509"/></a><br />
<br />
I didn't change anything other than the wig but I think it does make me look healthier. The scarf headband helps keep it in place so it doesn't itch.I Look Sicktag:alopeciaworld.com,2009-11-02:2022678:BlogPost:3726092009-11-02T17:13:26.000ZAndreahttps://alopeciaworld.com/profile/Andrea100
"This disease must be doing wonders for my appearance, because people keep telling me how good I look."<br />
<br />
I saw that on a sight called <a href="http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com">http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com</a> which is created by a young woman with Lupus. For anyone living with a chronic illness that can't explain it to your friends and family, she has a story called "The Spoon Theory" which you should read. I didn't think I looked sick when I was able to do makeup, etc, just losing my…
"This disease must be doing wonders for my appearance, because people keep telling me how good I look."<br />
<br />
I saw that on a sight called <a href="http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com">http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com</a> which is created by a young woman with Lupus. For anyone living with a chronic illness that can't explain it to your friends and family, she has a story called "The Spoon Theory" which you should read. I didn't think I looked sick when I was able to do makeup, etc, just losing my hair. But then I looked at my before and after pics that I posted in my album here. The before pic was taken in March or so. I started dropping weight in December of last year, but I still had more good than bad days.<br />
<br />
Now I can't help but notice the circles under my eyes and I had even used concealer which I rarely use. I have been able to gain 10 lbs after an aggressive course of corticosteroids. LOL, for a little while there, I would eat anything that wasn't nailed down! My mother had told me she thought I was anorexic, and I couldn't convince her I wasn't starving myself intentionally. Now she believes me. That 10 lbs added some fullness to my face, but I still don't look right (hair not included).<br />
<br />
I really don't feel sorry for myself, but I want to look like me, not a sick version of me. Wigs, scarves and hats can't conceal it. Fortunately this disease (whatever it is) doesn't affect my smile and I wont let it break my spirit. The pic below is just a drawing I did before symptoms made holding a pencil very difficult.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/VioletKitty411/?action=view&current=Sea_Shells_by_VioletKitty411.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/VioletKitty411/Sea_Shells_by_VioletKitty411.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"/></a>