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, righ...
Oh my gosh you are really pretty. Was your original hair red? I thank you for your comment and wish you the best of luck with the non profit organization to provide wigs. My mother and sister both lost their hair because of breast cancer...
Yes, I have lost my confidence and I think I am always being stared at. I feel a lot less attractive then I used to be. I envy everyone's hair even little old ladies with a full head of gray hair and I think my friends and family are sick to death of hearing me complain about this.
About Me
About Me:
I am 48 years old, I've had hair loss for about three or four years. I have gone to Dr. after Dr. I was told I had Lupus and then after further testing I was told I don't have Lupus (a fun time that was) My hair falls out most viciously in the Spring time. I wear hair extensions, clipped to the back of my real hair and then I pull it all back into a ponytail and try to look human. My real hair is all different lengths and it is real dry and frizzy, it used to be more on the oily side. I am the type of person who has stress in their life everyday (real or imagined) I really for the most part am a happy person with a happy home life, three wonderful children and a good husband. I do not have bald spots yet, just a thinning in the crown area. I would love to commiserate with others and also learn from your experiences.
Hi Julie -- You are so young to have had breast cancer -- sadly, though, you're not alone. I know many women who had breast cancer in their early 20s. And, I understand your thinking about the surgery (physical and emotional stress) possibly triggering the whole hair loss thing. I am convinced that mine is due to stress -- in the absence of anything else (tons of blood tests, scalp biopsies, etc. with nothing to show). My "old hair" was blond -- naturally blond through college and then "enhanced" more and more after each baby. I work for the American Cancer Society and used to enjoy trying on the different wigs we had in the office (we give free wigs to patients) and always liked the red. So.... now I can have any color I want! The red one in my profile pic is human hair with the cuticle intact so it doesn't get tangled and frizzed like synthetics. However, in my photo album you'll see my "beach hair" -- synthetic, short, blond and low maintenance! Some days I forget that my hair is gone. Other days I am painfully aware. Oh, well... it is what it is and it could definitely be something worse! You hang in there!!!!
Hi Julie, Oh, I still worry about it...no I shouldn't say worry about it, I don't. I believe what ever happens happens. I do not have any control over it. I eat right, exercise and try to remain stress free...not always easy but I try. I figure if I am taking care of myself then that is all I can do. I am not taking any pills or getting any more shots...
Hey Julie.... I just wanted to say that I am a complete basket case right now. I just washed my hair and I thought I was going to throw up when I looked in my hand. I stopped counting at 250. What is up with that?? I didn't think AA did massive shedding? I feel ridiculous that I feel as if this is consuming my entire being. I cried as I counted, and I am trying really hard not to cry as I type. This is by far the WORST I have ever noticed!
Hey Julie, The last time I had my ferritin level checked was 2 years ago and it was also 45. I have been taking an iron supplement since February. All the research I have found says that it can take 4-6 months of supplementation before your bone marrow stops sucking up the extra iron from the supplement and your blood ferritin levels increase. So my plan is to have myself tested again in August. I have seen recommendations for ferritin levels from 70 to 150 for hair regrowth, with comments that the level must be consistently maintained for 3 months before expecting any noticable regrowth. I'm trying to be patient and consistent with taking my supplement, but it's hard when I think that it may be more than a year before this makes any difference at all... if it really does work. I definitely want to give this a good chance before trying something that could potentially have bad side effects though. Dottie
Hi Julie, I find myself looking at everyone's hair I come to, lately. In stores, on tv....in church I wonder why the women in front of me don't have hair on the backs of their shirts like I'm sure I must. The shedding is really starting to drive me nutso...but at least we can talk about it freely here. My fiancee and I must "argue" a few times a week about how I've always lost hair and how it looks like it always has. He just doesn't see the short hairs I see when I lift layers of it in the morning. He tries to be sympathetic...to understand how I'm becoming so upset by it all...but it's hard for a guy, I suppose. It's great to come to this site, there really is no one else that understands the shedding I'm experiencing right now. Talk to you soon, Melissa
I appreciate your thoughts on the medicine. I have been trying to search out ladies who have taken it. I'm glad that you haven't had side effects, and I know they say your should always give it a year to see what is going to happen with a new med. My hair sheds worse in the spring, and I keep telling myself that when I get out of the shower, but this spring seems to be a little more "real". My husband says that he can tell I am thinking about it more, even if it is more hair this time.
My hair has always been thick and coarse... so I still have lots of hair, and for that I am grateful. But I know that it isn't the same anymore... it is so much thinner all over, and I can see my scalp on top... my part is wider. I just wish I knew if this was going to hold as is, or does it always get worse?
Thanks for the info on finasteride. At least you haven't had side effects. That is what I was a little freaked out about. My husband said he didn't think I could handle losing testosterone. He's thinking of himself, of course. I didn't know how much of the side effects are related to women, since it is a pill for men only. My dermatologist said maybe some breast tenderness, and a Resident said sometimes decreased libido. (again, the husband is concerned!) :o) I have a 2 and 5 year old that effects that as well. :o)
As for the caffeine?? Who knows. They say its bad for you, but I can't seem to live without it. I have at least one cup of coffee in the morning, and then I love Diet Dr. Pepper. It would be interesting to see if that could play into hair loss.
What is your hair status? Are you thinning on the top and shedding, or just an overall thinning?
Good talking to you. I still haven't filled the finasteride... I need to decide one way or the other... I just hate doing nothing when there may be something to help me!
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