Help! My Story

[csell]

Just wanted to share my story and maybe get some feedback as I am sort of new to this and expiriencing all of this for the first time. As all of you know its an incredibly scary and sad time so its nice to come across this site and see that so many other women are going through the same thing.
So here goes... Near the end of 2008, around November and December I started noticing a lot more hair falling out in the shower than usual. I was a little concerned but didn't know much about it, aswell, my mom and hairdresser just thought it was normal so I tried to forget about it. A month later and it was still getting worse, so my Hairdresser suggested trying Nutricap-- they are tablets/supplements as well as a shampoo and conditioner that is supposed to help in hair loss and make your existing hair stronger. These caps say they can take 3-6 months, so I had a lot of waiting to do. (I started them in December). 3 Months later, nothing- my hair is getting worse. 4 and 5 months later-same thing. So then I tried Nioxin (shampoo and conditioner) and another hair supplement tablet called Biofen. NEITHER of them are working. When I brought this up to my doctor in December when i started to notice the hair loss, she just put it to my low iron, and kinda brushed it off. When I told her a month later that i was more concerned she sent me to a dermatologist. I travelled AN HOUR to see this so called "amazing" dermatologist in downtown toronto, waited in the waiting room for about 2 hours, for him to basically tell me I'm crazy but I could try taking more iron supplements! I am so frustrated!! Since decemeber I have been taking 2 higher dosage iron pills daily and my hair loss is only getting worse!
My doctor is now sending me to a glandular specialist? i think thats what it is i could be wrong. But they're just supposed to be taking more blood tests. My doctor has literally been taking blood tests regularely (MONTHLY!) since december and has found nothing much out of the ordinary. Are these specialists really worth it!? From my doctors appointment where she referred me to these people until i finally got the call that an appointment was made was 4 weeks! I am losing my mind thinking im going bald, driving myself to absolute depression! I'm thinking if nothing comes out of this its going to be another 2 months before I even get another appointment! Why is healthcare so terrible?!
Some of my medical history: I've been taking birth control pills since i was 15 (I am now 19) and when I was 18 i switched from another pill to Yasmin (which i have seen a lot of blogs on how this can cause hair loss). I also thought it could be a result of an abnormally high testosterone level, as I have noticed acne starting to form on my back (lets just say ive always had perfect skin), darker and more facial hair (nostril and upper lip), and then darker hairs around my nipples (this is so embaressing!)
I also got a call recently from my doctor saying I have elevated blood sugar levels (diabetes does run in my family).
I am concerned about a couple other medical condtions that ive read about causing hair loss including Lupus, PCOS, and thyroid conditions.
My hair now is very thin, more coarse than ever, and my hairline is receding. My part seems to get wider daily and my scalp is so itchy!!!
I am absolutely depressed, I've quit my job, I never want to leave my house, and I feel terribly thats it affecting everyone around me. My mom is depressed because I'm depressed, my boyfriend is trying to help, but he really doesnt like hearing about it. I feel like I don't have much of a support system since my parents are never around, and I don't have much in the way of girlfriends. I honetly just don't know what to do anymore.

[finaleofseem]

First of all, *HUG*

I remember being where you are. I was there for several years, in fact. I think it's important to recognize that this is a process. While we should be striving to be happy, it's natural to feel depressed or anxious in your situation.

Your symptoms do sound like they could be PCOS. If you're concerned about this, you should ask for a test from your doctor. It's not a pleasant thing to have (I probably have it, too -- I find out in a week), but it's manageable. Same with Lupus or a thyroid issue. I put off my PCOS test for too long because I was too scared to face it. But, honestly, it's been so much easier now that I've had the test done. And even if the news is unpleasant, at least it's news. I recommend not putting it off, especially as some of these things can be serious.

For me, what worked best was to handle the emotional aspect was stay busy, and to focus my energy on positive things in my life. I tied my hair back and just went about my life as best I could. Eventually, when I started focusing on my health and losing weight and taking yoga, I developed an acceptance. Don't get me wrong -- I'm still sad I'm losing my hair. But it's part of my life, and while I would change it if I could, I can't.

I'm not much older than you -- I turn 24 in a month. If I can help in any way, don't hesitate to ask. I'm also on the network under the same screenname. :)

[Adora]

Dear Csell,
when I read your story I thought you were writing about my problem:). Two months ago I was diagnosed with high level of the hormone DHT, and my ginekologist prescribed Diane 35 (which is a low androgenetic pill - it should lower the DHT, just don't know when exactly, lol). I too have achnes on my back, but recently I have developed them on my face too. I think that that might be due to the hormone, because of the hight levels of DHT - your skin (not just on your face and some other body parts, but on your scalp aswell) is left very greasy (whick is the cause, well, one of the causes of hair loss). So, I think you should try doing a hormone test, just to see how are things going inside your body.
I also feel very depressed because of this major hairloss problem (and the achnes too:() but somehow, I'm learning to live with it. I always comfort myself: if I ever get bald, I'll just wear a wig, no big deal. When you think rationally about it, you're gonna realise it's only hair. The more important thing is to stay healthy! I can completly undestand how you must feel, cause I'm quite young too (21) and when you're young, you tend to panic over things much more than when you're older.
I hope I managed to help you a bit...