21 and losing hair. Help?

[Felicia23]

Hey everyone,

I thought I would share my story just in case anyone has any advice for me.

I would say last summer I started noticing that my hair was thinning, but I didn't think much of it because I figured it was stress. In November, I finally went to the doctor, actually physician assistant, and she ran some bloodwork. My thyroid functioning was fine, my iron was fine, and everything else was fine. I did find out I had Mono, which explained the fatigue. The doctor kind of pushed me aside and didn't care much after that. I continued to lose hair and in January I went to the Dermatologist and they said it is probably just Telogen Effluvium, that it will grow back soon. It is now almost June and my hair has not grown back! In fact, I have lost so much hair. I would said I have lost arounf 60% of my hair. It is so depressing. You can see my scalp big time. I'm ready to just go buy a wig.

Anyways, I called my a different doctor up the other day and told them I'm still feeling quite ill (fatigue, headache, spleen pain, throat/swollen glands) and my hair loss is significant. They said that I have Mono still and they wanted me to get some blood drawn (all that over the phone!). I should find out the results of the blood tests on Tuesday. I am fairly certain they will come back fine... I am worried. I don't know what could be causing this and frankly, I cannot handle losing anymore!

It could certainly be that I still have Mono, but I don't believe that is causing me to continue to lose hair. The doctor said after we get the blood results back they will determine if they need to see me. So basically, if the blood tests come back fine, I need to find a new doctor.

My scalp is pretty sensitive in some spots. It almost feels as if it is bruised in some places. I also sometimes get little bumps on my scalp, almost like pimples I suppose.

I am not sure if this is how it is for everyone else, but my problem is that I am losing hair. The hair I have though, is continuing to get longer. I would think if I really did have Telogen Effluvium, that my hair wouldn't be getting longer. Also, wouldn't it have started growing back from November if it was that?

In the past 8 months or so, I developed acne and I have gained about 10 pounds. I don't understand what is going on with me! You can see my scalp through my part big time and the hair loss is significant in the back of my head. I can no longer wear my hair down. Also, it is incrdibly noticeable when I wear my hair up as well!

I am afraid to wash my hair, afraid to brush it, afraid to do anything. What do I do?

I live in the Chicagoland area, so if anyone knows of any good doctors to see, that would be great!

Does anyone have any advice?

[Felicia23]

Also, I've taken Biotin, but all that did was make my skin break out terribly even though I was drinking a lot of water. I also eat a healthy, balanced diet. I do not want to start using Rogaine because I know that once you start you have to continue.

This is so depressing. I do not know what to do anymore. I am a senior in college, I feel like this si the last thing I should be worrying about!

Also, my mother has Lupus, so I thought maybe I could possibly have it, but the first doctor I saw didn't think that was an option. My mother also has anemia, low iron, low white blood cell count, and hypothyroidism.