I grew up with a headful of thick, shiny, beautiful, naturally curly hair. As a teenager it fell in waves down my back to my waist and all my friends referred to me as "the one with the pretty hair." My hair was my identity. My mom amd my sisters were the ones with thin hair from the beginning and they always envied how thick my hair was. Now, I feel like I appear much older than 44 years old. Even though I have great skin (I think) and people guess me younger, I feel like I must look much older. My hair texture has changed from shiny waves (like a Pantene commercial) to baby fine frizz (reminds me of pubic hair). I hate going to the hairdresser because the first thing they do is wash my hair. Once it's wet I can't stand the pitying looks I get from every mirror in the beauty shop.
My hair loss began a few months after the birth of my first child. My doctor feared that I had a pituitary tumor or a thyroid disorder and ran every hormone test possible on me. Of course everything came back "normal" and he assured me that it was a passing phase and that my hair would grow back. My hair thickened a bit during each subsequent pregnancy, but then fell out in handfuls a few months after each baby was born. I tried all the usual hair loss remedies. Rogaine had just been released for sale over the counter. I tried it for 8 months without being able to tell any noticeable difference. I have tried each and every product recommended to me by hairdressers throughout the years without any improvement. My bathroom cabinets look like an orphanage for abandoned haircare products that I purchase then stop using because they don't fulfill the promises from their advertisements.
Most recently I saw a dermotologist about my hair loss. I looked at that visit as my last hope that someone could tell me what was wrong and what the remedy was. I took in a photo of myself in high school that showed what my hair had been like. I have to give the man credit. He did take my concerns seriously. He ordered some tests that my family practice physician hadn't thought of and also did a biopsy of my scalp. I was completely crushed the day I returned for him to tell me the results of the biopsy. He said that my hair loss was genetic and that there was no cure at this time. He also said something that now confuses me after reading more about hair loss. He told me that the biopsy showed that my hair follicles hadn't died out... that they were still there, but just dormant. He said that if anyone ever figured out a way to "wake up" those follicles that I would still have a chance to regrow my hair. He was probably more caring and understanding than any other physician I had ever gone to with this problem. I even felt a little guilty about being so upset by his diagnosis because he was also balding.
I am trying to come to terms with the fact that this might not ever get any better, and that I just have to learn to work with the hair I have left. I am still open to trying new treatments because I feel as if not trying would be completely losing hope. Since I think that Donald Trump's comb-over is completely hideous, if my hair continues to shed I will probably just shave it all off someday.
My plan is to be brutally honest with myself and my sisters in hair loss. This website is a great opportunity to work through emotions and receive much needed support.
About Me
About Me:
I am the mother of 6 beautiful children (3 biological and 3 bonus children from my husband). My hubby is Brazilian, and we were able to have the amazing experience of living in Brazil for 3 years. We are now back in the US living in southern Oregon. I have the best job in the world. I am a labor & delivery nurse and am honored to share in other women's miracles everyday.
Hello Dottie. You had wrtten to me about a month ago about emu oil and I'm just now getting back to you. I am sorry that it has taken me so long. I visit another hair loss site frequently and I've let this one slip. Anyhow, I get emu oil online from a place called 4-star emu ranch. It is not too terribly expensive and it lasts awhile. I use it whenever I get an ache in my scalp which usually signals a shed. I know a bunch of ladies who use it every day and I would too if I didn't have so many other things to rub on my scalp. When I do use it I simple rub it into my trouble spots and sleep with it on. It is quite greasy so you'll want to use it at night or on a day when you don't have much to do. It does feel good on the scalp and it is used by many who swear by its healing capabilities. It is also an anti-inflammatory so this is good for all of us suffering from a DHT swelling. It has no odor, at least mine doesn't. I don't bother with the shampoos and conditioners because they are on your head so briefly how could they possibly get to your follicles? I use Nizoral shampoo in the shower and that seems to work well by itself.
I hope I answered some of your questions Dottie. Please let me know if I can help you further.
Wanted to say hello. How are you and yours? All has been well over here. busy but good. We all just are getting over an ick bug. I am ready for some sun- enough with the rain already.
Dottie, Thank you so much for the welcome message. I'm so glad I found this site. Its extremely comforting to be able to speak with other women going through the same thing I'm going through. Hope we can talk more in the future. God Bless......
I try very hard to put this issue in God's hands, knowing that there isn't anything I can do. My mom says that if God can get glory out of it, then so be it, but pray for it to be corrected. I know that in my head, and I can say it, but it is so hard to let go of it. I guess I feel like He needs my help. :o)
I got over my little panic attack... I think it overwhelmed me to see what I saw in my hand. I have not counted since then, and don't plan on it. I can admit that it is too much for me to handle! I know that I pay more attention that most others. We were on a cruise and I saw many ladies that i could have diagnosed. (I'm sure they would have loved that!!) :o) 2 years ago I would have never noticed so many people with their scalp's showing. I felt sorry for them when I looked at them... wanted to give them a hug, and then I compared myself. This is such a traumatic thing because we have to face it daily... multiple times in a day!
Thanks for the reminder that there is One who knows it all. It's nice to hear it, although I know it, I need to be reminded.
Wouldn't it be great if Iron pills are all we need to get our hair going again or at least to stop falling out? I read the symptoms of low iron on a website and I have almost everything described. I have a low tolerance to cold, right now I'm at my computer with a sweater on and it's 75 degrees outside! I feel like I'm OK as long as I'm trying something new to help my hair (hope springs eternal)
Dottie... I am in a panic... I just washed my hair and a ton of hair came out. I mean, I thought I was going to throw up when I looked in my hand. After I brushed... I stopped counting at 250. I am not normally a counter, but I couldn't NOT this time. What the heck is up with this? I thought AA wasn't prone to massive shedding.
I feel ridiculous... This is totally consuming me and I KNOW that isn't healthy. I don't know how to cope with this... I feel like I am worrying and I don't even mean to or realize that I am. I feel sick to my stomach, and the sad part to me if I can't say a word to my husband. I hate that I cry, and I'm trying really hard not to right now!!
Thanks for listening. I know I sound like a basket case! (I feel like a basket case)
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The stages of grief
