It has made me very self conscious and a bit of a recluse I'm sad to say. On a more positive note, I've become more understanding and considerate of people, less judgmental and have a desire to help other women suffering with hair loss to not feel so alone.
About Me
About Me:
So how did I get here? I find myself asking myself that very same question on a daily basis. The year 1999 was the year that forever changed my life. My hair loss began after having stopped taking the birth control pill Loestrin FE. Later I found out that it is or at least was, an extremely high androgen index pill. Who knew? Certainly not me and certainly not my gynecologist who prescribed it to me.
So the following months after I stopped the pill my hair began to shed and shed like crazy. It was all over the place and coming out what seemed to be by the handfuls. I tried to find answers online, but I found nothing. I went to so-called “hair experts” also known as dermatologists who aren’t any wiser than the other dermatologists, but just know how to capitalize on the vulnerability of women. They were of no help either. Blood work… within normal levels. I felt frustrated that I couldn’t point to it on a paper and say “ah ha that’s it, my estrogen is low” or “there it is, I need more iron.” There simply was no explanation. I should point out that I also saw very expensive “hair experts” who told me I wasn’t losing my hair. What? Like they would know better than me, I’ve only live in this body… umm forever. Of course if I revisited those same doctors today they wouldn’t be telling me that now. This certainly isn’t one of those instances where you want to be right and say “I told you so.”
Thank you. Since I joined and opened up, honestly, I had a great day. I took my hair bag to the doctor's and he had ZERO interest. And I was OK with it!. Did a retail therapy, purchasing a few items at Fredrick's (killer sale 75% off). Dusty
More wine....I think hubby will have to stop and get some more after work today! Funny that you mention the scrunchie and your routine. I do the exact same thing. I go to bed with my hair in a scrunchie to hide my bald spots. My hubby has seen them and knows and is very supportive. I think how gross to wake up and roll over only to find yourself staring at your wife's bald spotted head! So needless to say I do the scrunchie thing, then as soon as my eyes open i sit up a bit and re-do the scrunchie! Been doing this for years. My head is finally immune to waking up sore from where the scrunchie has sat all night! Your are right, baby steps...all in due time! Have a great 4th of July! Lisa
I know exactly how you feel. It is almost like if you put those words on paper or even let them out of your mouth then it is REAL. I used to have the hardest time even googling the word alopecia . I would immediately break out in a cold sweat and start getting panicky, because it was real. It mean I really had to deal with it and accept it. It takes time..you will get there. I also think you will find the same support from your friends as you do here...only they can see you. :) I will admit that it felt like a load had been lifted off of me once I began letting people know what I had. I never made/make it sound like anything bad. I simply say "I have alopecia areata, it means I lose hair in bald spots." I also let people know that it is no big deal. I fell that if I make it into a big deal then people will look and make comments behind my back like "oh, poor Lisa, isn't it sad..." I make it come across like it does not bother me and if people see my confidence then I hope they won't talk too much except for to say "wow, I don't think I could handle it that well." In which case I have won the battle and people move on. Then you can go home an cry later when no on is around or have a nice glass of wine! :) Or just have wine anyway..hmmm, sounds like a great idea tonight! Hang in there, it all takes time. Lisa
Hi ~Y... thanks for the chat. It was nice to have an "out" for a wild afternoon and evening!! I think I had posted the blog on Safari since I couldn't get a text box with firefox... I'm sure it was just a glitch. Thanks for the help though.
Hope you having a good day. I've had an ok day, hair wise. Other life issues and stress are getting to me. I hate that I am not able to handle things like I want. I never had issues with that until my hair started falling out. That has pretty much pushed me over the edge of handling!
Hey, ~Y. I guess I thought that was I had to say was SO important that I had to post it twice. :) Sorry about that. I totally get it, though. When this first started happening, it was no big deal to talk about it but now that it's progressed, I just hate dealing with it because people no longer say "oh, but you have so much hair." Um, yeah, not so much. :(
Today, I'm considering bagging alf of the medication I'm putting into my body and just letting nature do whatever it's supposed to do. I' know I'm not nearly that brave but I'm just feeling so crappy, physically, that I'm tinkering with the idea. We'll see. I'm glad today is better for you. This whole situation just sucks. Hang in there. -- LIsa
Hey ~Y... any idea why the blogs are posting with spacing? I've done a couple and they are posting all in paragraph form without the spaces. Just curious... I tried to edit it, but it didn't do anything different. I think it's harder to read... am I doing something wrong?
No problem, ~Y. Hope they are helpful. As you can tell, I have a thing for getting vials of blood sucked out of me -- repeatedly. Hope you're doing OK. I seem to be sinking into a bad phase right now. God, will this EVER end?? I really wanna just shave my head and get it over with!!!
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