Comments on: Kewpie’s Hair Loss Story http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/kewpies-hair-loss-story/ A Community For Women Dealing With Hair Loss - Help, Hope and Understanding Fri, 16 May 2008 15:04:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Miriam http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/kewpies-hair-loss-story/#comment-8514 Miriam Tue, 06 May 2008 15:05:15 +0000 http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/kewpies-hair-loss-story/#comment-8514 I am a 40 year old mother of 3 children two of whom are girls. I started losing my hair when I was around 13 years old. I had put myself on a severe diet and when my hair started falling out I thougt it was because of the diet so I started eating again but my hair did not stop falling. At the same time I noticed that thick dark hair was growing on my face. I went to see several dermatologists who all told me that it must be genetic since tests were not showing any abnormalities. Finally an endocrinologist said there was some hormonal imbalance and put me on spirinolactone as well as minoxidol. She also told me to grin and bear it which I have done since then. I have an aunt who also has very thin hair and a cousin who has Alopecea so I definately think there is a hereditary factor. My concern now is for my two daughters. I am so worried that this might happen to them and I don't want them to have to deal with hair loss like I did. Yes, in the big picture it is not terminal and no one dies from it but it certainly affects our psychology and therefore our lives. I find I feel so constrained by my lack of hair - just being outside on a windy day, doing any activity where my hair will be blown around, going swimming with my kids or going to an evening function where everyone's hair is done up, it seems to affect me daily in one way or another. My question is if anyone who has children has seen it being passed on to them and are there any preventative measures we can take to ensure this does not happen to our daughters. I recenly did take my 8 year old daughter to an endocrinologist and explained my concern but he seemed to be on another planet and totally missed the point.I would love to hear of the experiences of others with regards to your own kids. Miriam I am a 40 year old mother of 3 children two of whom are girls. I started losing my hair when I was around 13 years old. I had put myself on a severe diet and when my hair started falling out I thougt it was because of the diet so I started eating again but my hair did not stop falling. At the same time I noticed that thick dark hair was growing on my face. I went to see several dermatologists who all told me that it must be genetic since tests were not showing any abnormalities. Finally an endocrinologist said there was some hormonal imbalance and put me on spirinolactone as well as minoxidol. She also told me to grin and bear it which I have done since then.
I have an aunt who also has very thin hair and a cousin who has Alopecea so I definately think there is a hereditary factor.
My concern now is for my two daughters. I am so worried that this might happen to them and I don’t want them to have to deal with hair loss like I did. Yes, in the big picture it is not terminal and no one dies from it but it certainly affects our psychology and therefore our lives. I find I feel so constrained by my lack of hair - just being outside on a windy day, doing any activity where my hair will be blown around, going swimming with my kids or going to an evening function where everyone’s hair is done up, it seems to affect me daily in one way or another.
My question is if anyone who has children has seen it being passed on to them and are there any preventative measures we can take to ensure this does not happen to our daughters.
I recenly did take my 8 year old daughter to an endocrinologist and explained my concern but he seemed to be on another planet and totally missed the point.I would love to hear of the experiences of others with regards to your own kids.
Miriam

]]> By: Kewpie http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/kewpies-hair-loss-story/#comment-3306 Kewpie Sat, 22 Mar 2008 01:45:48 +0000 http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/kewpies-hair-loss-story/#comment-3306 I did not have much success with the therapist. I don't think he had a clue what it feels like to be a young woman with an emotional issue related to a physical problem. I just didn't feel like it was a good match and decided to choose someone else. But, finding a good doctor- any kind- is quite like dating. You just gotta keep trying till you find one that suits you! Kika, I saw Michelle Heath at Group Health. She didn't seem alarmed by my hair loss and I don't think she specializes in it, but she was kind and took more than 5 minutes talking to me. She didn't recommend a specialist. I went to William Collier Design today (in Seattle) and that visit provided me with the most hope yet. I'd recommend looking up his salon online. He custom makes human hair systems (partial, full, etc) and his staff does cuts and color for women with hair loss to optimize what you have. It just provided me assurance that if things worsen I can get a hot lookin' hair piece and still live my life. It made me feel much better. I did not have much success with the therapist. I don’t think he had a clue what it feels like to be a young woman with an emotional issue related to a physical problem. I just didn’t feel like it was a good match and decided to choose someone else. But, finding a good doctor- any kind- is quite like dating. You just gotta keep trying till you find one that suits you!

Kika, I saw Michelle Heath at Group Health. She didn’t seem alarmed by my hair loss and I don’t think she specializes in it, but she was kind and took more than 5 minutes talking to me. She didn’t recommend a specialist.

I went to William Collier Design today (in Seattle) and that visit provided me with the most hope yet. I’d recommend looking up his salon online. He custom makes human hair systems (partial, full, etc) and his staff does cuts and color for women with hair loss to optimize what you have. It just provided me assurance that if things worsen I can get a hot lookin’ hair piece and still live my life. It made me feel much better.

]]> By: kika http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/kewpies-hair-loss-story/#comment-3250 kika Thu, 20 Mar 2008 23:12:57 +0000 http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/kewpies-hair-loss-story/#comment-3250 Oh my, Your story is my story... and I live in Seattle! Can you share any doctor's names that you found to be useful? Thanks for making me not feel so alone..... Oh my, Your story is my story… and I live in Seattle! Can you share any doctor’s names that you found to be useful? Thanks for making me not feel so alone…..

]]> By: Angela http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/kewpies-hair-loss-story/#comment-3056 Angela Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:57:26 +0000 http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/kewpies-hair-loss-story/#comment-3056 Kewpie, I have a very similar story to yours. I have been on and off the BCP since I was 16-17. I am 23 now. I noticed a decrease in hair volume throughout the years but nothing alarming until 2006 when I stopped it for three months. I had shedding that lasted almost a year, and now it has stabalized but it is not growing back to make up for the deficit. I am currently still on the BCP because at the time I didnt know it was the cause. So now I dread getting off of it again... because I am pretty sure the shedding will occur again. Although, like you, stopping the pill previous to the last time did not cause noticible shedding. So I still can't figure out why now and not then... I was a vegetarian for 10 years and have now incorporated meat into my diet in order to get adequate protein and iron (I hate it soo much). And I am taking an iron supplement that seems to make the shedding after washing my hair a lot less. Are you taking the iron your doctor recommended? If not I would. I use Vitron-C which is 200 mg (I take it once a day) and for the first two weeks it did not agree with my body but now it is alright. Just make sure to eat plums and other digestive helper fruits:) I can't be much help but just wanted to let you know we are in the same boat! And my bf is balding too:) He shaves his head and I think he looks even better with no hair. I always joke that he might have a mini-me soon. Keep your spirits up and I hope that our hair gets better. Take care, Angela Kewpie,

I have a very similar story to yours. I have been on and off the BCP since I was 16-17. I am 23 now. I noticed a decrease in hair volume throughout the years but nothing alarming until 2006 when I stopped it for three months. I had shedding that lasted almost a year, and now it has stabalized but it is not growing back to make up for the deficit. I am currently still on the BCP because at the time I didnt know it was the cause. So now I dread getting off of it again… because I am pretty sure the shedding will occur again. Although, like you, stopping the pill previous to the last time did not cause noticible shedding. So I still can’t figure out why now and not then… I was a vegetarian for 10 years and have now incorporated meat into my diet in order to get adequate protein and iron (I hate it soo much). And I am taking an iron supplement that seems to make the shedding after washing my hair a lot less. Are you taking the iron your doctor recommended? If not I would. I use Vitron-C which is 200 mg (I take it once a day) and for the first two weeks it did not agree with my body but now it is alright. Just make sure to eat plums and other digestive helper fruits:)

I can’t be much help but just wanted to let you know we are in the same boat! And my bf is balding too:) He shaves his head and I think he looks even better with no hair. I always joke that he might have a mini-me soon. Keep your spirits up and I hope that our hair gets better.

Take care,
Angela

]]>