Nizoral, Iron supplement, Biotin

Rogaine, Nioxin, Jaborandi, low glycemic index diet

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 and 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 47 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.

I am the mother of 7 beautiful children (3 biological, 3 bonus children from my husband, and one adopted princess). 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.