Need someone to talk to maybe around my age...

[dani21]

Hi,
Basically since I started college about 3 years ago, I noticed I was losing a lot more hair than usual. I didn't really start freaking out until my dad (who would never mention anything to hurt me if he wasn't concerned) pointed out some thinning in the back of my head where my scalp peaked through. I just started wearing my hair up and tried to ignore it and then I finally went to a hair doctor and he put me on men's rogaine. I got discouraged after prob. 5 months and I thought it was a waste of money since I didn't see much progress and then I stopped. I didn't want to think about it anymore and I would wear my hair up all the time. Then my 3rd year or college I couldn't take the pain anymore of seeing my hair decrease everyday and I called the hair club after seeing their tv ad. I went there and she used this scope to see if there was any way that certain cream treatments or whatever would work to regrow hair. She told me she didn't see any stubble just bald spots and that I had female pattern baldness...I broke down. She wanted to sell me a hair piece customized for me and it would be like 2000 every 6 months cuz you would need a new one....I can not afford that. Plus I didn't want to give up hope and say that's it I'm going bald.But, I lost so much hope anyway and my parents felt horrible for me so they called up the hair dr. once again. He told me that the lady spoke a bunch of BS I should have never of stopped rogaine and I should cont. on it again and see him in 7 months. Well I did and when I went to see him after 7 months he said he saw growth and that it was working and see him again in 6 months. But, I guess cause it is such a slow process I don't believe him, but why would he lie? Anyway, I broke down one day and told my best friend and she said that she would have never known if I hadn't told her, but that's cause I don't wear my hair down and I can still cover it up for now. I don't like to go swimming in the summer either. The truth is my friend won't ever understand completely and she has said the things like "it's just hair." Then there is days she complains about having a bad hair day and I just wanna be like "look you have hair." Also I know guys and they won't date me if my hair continues to decrease. Everyone says well not the right guy, but lets all be honest they see me before they get to know me.

Thanks so much if you read this

[finaleofseem]

Hey, I just tried to IM you, and it says you can't accept messages from someone not on your buddy list. PM me here, and I'd be more than glad to give you my IM if you'd like to talk.

[pathtopanacea]

Hi, I totally understand what you are going through. Unless someone has experienced loosing their own hair it is hard for them to empathize with you so don't hold it against your friend or family. Its great that you have reached out to the women on this forum and you will find that we all go through a lot of the same emotions. I started loosing my hair at 19 and I can tell you there are ways to live with it and still be happy, feel good about yourself, have a boyfriend and SWIM!!! But it takes work on your part, encouragement, support and strength. You are a young and wonderful woman and you can find the resources you need to cope with your hair loss. This forum is one of them. My biggest suggestion to you is to one, to focus on building a support network for yourself, maybe even finding the right therapist to talk to. You may need to educate people in your support network on the emotional toll your hair loss has on your life. two, make sure you are healthy and eating nutriciously, three expend the same amount of energy on wanting to find a remedy as the other two suggestions. In otherwards to put all your energy into lets say finding a cure will still not help you emotionally in the interim. health and happiness:)

[KathyLI]

Hi Dani-
I am also suffering from the same thing- although I am 41 not 21! My 13 year old daughter is starting already. There is so much more you can do than Rogaine. I use 5% Rogaine but also found a great hair loss doctor who put me on a few other medicines that seem to be helping. Vitamins are also very important- especially Biotin. Try to find a good doctor who cares and will help you- in addition to a therapist you connect with. Nobody - friends nor family- will understand what it is like to loss your hair. Find someone you can talk to. I think it is important to realize that even if we do loose the battle there are so many incredible attachments, wigs etc out there now. I see pictures on this website and am amazed. Stay positive, know there are solutions and enjoy being 21!

[dani21]

Thank you everyone, I appreciate your replies and I will try to keep my head up, I have my good and bad days but regardless the issue is always on my mind.

(http://forum.womenshairlossproject.com/member.php?u=1967)

[ukchinaheather]

Hey, check out my thread in the advice section, "25 and Alone". I am 25, not a whole lot older, and my hair loss probably started at 19, but could have started as early as 16. I'm now at the point where I can't hide it any more, not even with special haircuts and hairdos. It's kind of terrible, but I'm starting to get really excited about getting a wig. You should also probably get a scalp biopsy-- I was scared stiff but it didn't hurt at all. It didn't really give me answers, but it might give you some, who knows. Dermatologists do them (and it sounds like you need a new Dr. , just like me).

Also, I don't know the area you live in, but if you are anywhere near Boston, I'll tell you the name of where I'm going for my wig. The woman is amazing-- and has hair loss herself-- and you would never know the women who walk out of there are wearing wigs.

[dani21]

Hey ukchinaheather,
Sorry, I did not see the reply till now. I actually have had a biopsy since my post...I believe I got it back in September and mine wasn't painful although it was an experience (she hit a blood vessel and well it made a mess!). She confirmed that I have hair loss and there's not much that can be done except for staying on the rogaine. I also was convinced into purchasing one of those home lasers by my dad and the hair dr. I don't know if it has been working every time I comb my hair after the shower I feel like hundreds of hairs are just easily coming out....I feel like I could just pull it all out if I wanted to (and this is after using the laser for 5 months). I live in RI which is close to boston...but I don't think I would need a wig just yet and I am really hoping I never do...but if I do I would love the name, thanks.

[Star]

Hey Dani
I'm 24 , and suffering from AGA, I just foun out I have Pcos about a month ago.
What's frustrating is I have my exams in a month so I don't really have time to explore new options or exercise.
I just started medictions 4 days ago. Hoping for the best
hang in there
star

[sschreiber28]

Hi dani,

I just found this site, and your thread is what convinced me to join the community. I'm 19 and was just diagnosed with female patterned baldness less than a month ago. I noticed my hair was getting thinner about 2 years ago, but no one (my parents, doctor, ect) seemed to think it was actually happening. The whole time I always thought it was something stress related, and that when I would finally get to see a doctor who specialized in hair loss they would be able to stop it and maybe even help my hair grow back. (Thats what my PCP and gyno assured me before I was able to get the referral to a dermatologist)

Now that I finally know what is wrong, I feel completely blind sighted. I was upset when I was loosing my hair and didn't know why, but now that I know why, I feel even worse. I never once thought that this would be something that can't be fixed; something that I would have to deal with for the rest of my life.

I've told my best friends and my boyfriend about it. I know they feel bad for me, but its like now that I've told them once I don't want to keep bringing it up for fear of boring them to death, or pushing them away with my sadness. Even when im out and trying to have a good time it always creeps into the back of my mind and puts this damper on my mood. I'm afraid that this is affecting me more than it should be, and that I won't be able to get over it. I don't even feel like my self a lot of the time.

Is there anything you do that helps you take your mind off of it? Especially when your with other people? I don't feel guilty about crying or being upset when im alone, but I do feel guilty about being sad when im with other people, doing things that should be fun. Not just because I want to have fun and feel better, but also because I feel like I'm hurting the people I love by being sad, or just not quite all there mentally when I'm with them.

I've been with my boyfriend for the last four years and I love him more than anything, but I'm afraid that this whole ordeal is making me into someone who he does not want to be with. Not because of my actual hair, I know he does not care about it, but because I've been so down. I'm usually a very up beat, maybe even bubbly person, but I just can't seem to get back to that me, at least not for an extended period of time.

Does anyone have any advice or just want to talk? My friends try to comfort me, but what people above have said is right. No one really understands it unless they have or are going through it.

Thank you for letting me get this out,
Sarah:>

I have a skype account with the same name (sschreiber28) if anyone feels like IM'ing some time.

[laurzie1987]

Hello Everyone:

My name is Lauren, I'm 24 with androgenetic alopecia...I've had it for about 6 years now since I first started college. I'm the only one I know in my area my age and with this condition. I'd love to chat with you all :).

Has anyone tried a topper? I'm going to be buying my first soon and I'm nervous about it....

[KathyLI]

Do you leave near NYC? I have two amazing places for you to go try out.

[laurzie1987]

Hi Kathy:

Unfortunately I'm further upstate :(. Do those places ship toppers or do you know any good online ones? I like Rene of Paris and am interested in getting one of those, but would love suggestions. My hair is really thin though so I'm a bit worried about using it...I don't know if it will clip on right.

~Lauren

[KathyLI]

If you are only upstate I would try to make the trip. Dov Salon on Madison Avenue is amazing. Dov is incredible person. I am very close to needing one and have been going to him for haircuts until he suggests I get one. So not pushy- amazing. A friend of mine has been wearing toppers for over 10 years and said his are beyond others. Light, comfortable and last twice as long. If you go to ***********.com there is a post for wigs and extensions. Everyone on that sight raves about Flora. Maybe you can look into that as well.

[laurzie1987]

Thanks for the tip :). Hopefully I can make it down sometime.