Catie
06-13-2011, 07:18 AM
Hello Ladies,
I am new on this site and wanted to thank you all for sharing your stories. You are all an inspiration to me.
Hair loss has affected my life for the past year and nine months. I am in my early twenties and after college decided to move to a different city to start out on my own. I still can’t pin point the trigger, perhaps it was the change in environment (although it’s strange to me because I have moved other times in my life, and this time wasn’t particularly stressful). Within a month though, my hair started falling out like crazy. In the shower. On my pillow. Hundreds of strands on my wide tooth comb. I still vividly remember that day in the shower when it all started.
At first I tried to remain calm. I tried not to think about it and continue on with my life. But as weeks went by and no signs of the hair loss slowing down, I began to panic. Like many of you, I went to doctors and saw hair loss specialists. But no one could explain it. Finally, I decided to get a scalp biopsy and was diagnosed with chronic tellogen effluvium.
The worst part of hair loss, is not the actual hair loss itself – it’s the way it affects your spirit. I know many of you can relate – I lost my confidence, I felt like my future was over. I remember a close childhood friend once told me that I was one of the happiest people he knew – if only he could see me now. I felt a sadness that was deeper than hair; I felt I was losing my identity.
I tried everything from minoxidil to biotin supplements, to rubbing onions in my scalp. But nothing helped. Waking up to hair in my bed and all over the bathroom floor, I would breakdown and come to work with puffy eyes. I moved back home to the support of my parents. I remember crying about it to my dad, telling him this was the worst possible thing that could happen to me. Right when I felt like anything was possible, hair loss took it all away.
That’s when I hit rock bottom, a couple months ago. It hurts to know that I’m not as strong as I think. It hurts that I can’t feel good about what I see in the mirror. But now I can only go but forward. There are many things in my life I am grateful for and I try to remember those things everyday. Although my family and friends are supportive, as you all know, it’s hard sharing this with people who haven’t gone through it personally.
So that’s why I am here. To listen to your stories. To provide support. And to try to find answers.
You are beautiful.
Big hugs to all,
Catie
I am new on this site and wanted to thank you all for sharing your stories. You are all an inspiration to me.
Hair loss has affected my life for the past year and nine months. I am in my early twenties and after college decided to move to a different city to start out on my own. I still can’t pin point the trigger, perhaps it was the change in environment (although it’s strange to me because I have moved other times in my life, and this time wasn’t particularly stressful). Within a month though, my hair started falling out like crazy. In the shower. On my pillow. Hundreds of strands on my wide tooth comb. I still vividly remember that day in the shower when it all started.
At first I tried to remain calm. I tried not to think about it and continue on with my life. But as weeks went by and no signs of the hair loss slowing down, I began to panic. Like many of you, I went to doctors and saw hair loss specialists. But no one could explain it. Finally, I decided to get a scalp biopsy and was diagnosed with chronic tellogen effluvium.
The worst part of hair loss, is not the actual hair loss itself – it’s the way it affects your spirit. I know many of you can relate – I lost my confidence, I felt like my future was over. I remember a close childhood friend once told me that I was one of the happiest people he knew – if only he could see me now. I felt a sadness that was deeper than hair; I felt I was losing my identity.
I tried everything from minoxidil to biotin supplements, to rubbing onions in my scalp. But nothing helped. Waking up to hair in my bed and all over the bathroom floor, I would breakdown and come to work with puffy eyes. I moved back home to the support of my parents. I remember crying about it to my dad, telling him this was the worst possible thing that could happen to me. Right when I felt like anything was possible, hair loss took it all away.
That’s when I hit rock bottom, a couple months ago. It hurts to know that I’m not as strong as I think. It hurts that I can’t feel good about what I see in the mirror. But now I can only go but forward. There are many things in my life I am grateful for and I try to remember those things everyday. Although my family and friends are supportive, as you all know, it’s hard sharing this with people who haven’t gone through it personally.
So that’s why I am here. To listen to your stories. To provide support. And to try to find answers.
You are beautiful.
Big hugs to all,
Catie