Comments on: Why Me? Why Not Me? ShanLaree’s Hair Loss Story

By: Laura

Laura — Mon, 09 May 2016 17:43:43 +0000

Reading other’s experiences and suggestions in my quest to figure out what my next “move” should be is helpful this morning. I’ve been experiencing hair loss at different rates these past couple years: It slows down to what seems normal and then another wave of loss comes along that fills the sink. It is very upsetting with the same answers or suggestions from various doctors. It is a devastating loss. For bad hair days I will wear western bandanas around my head and tied at the back near the neck which really helps as a fun and colorful decoy. Obviously this may not be an answer for many work places, though

By: Anne

Anne — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 02:05:50 +0000

Well, I am in Portland, OR area also. I went to see Dr. Roberts about 10 years ago. It seems like the standard protocol with her is tell people to use Rogaine (which I had already done for quite some time before seeing her with no success). She also prescribed the iron supplement for me because my ferritin level was very low – it was 17. Anyway, it didn’t do any good for my hair loss. I have lost a lot of hair – could be as much as 75% lost. I cannot style it at all – what I have left is thin enough that it can all fit in a child size barrette. So all I can do is twist it and clip it up at the back of my head. Otherwise I would have to just wear a wig. Because of other symptoms I now have, I suspect thyroid problems even though mine have always tested normal. I may retest for this.

By: Cait

Cait — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 02:31:57 +0000

Thanks Nat! I’m definitely going to contact Dr. Roberts. I just joined the forum here yesterday (as HopeHolloway) and would love to touch base if you have any other tips. I’m already struggling to come to terms with the likelihood that its AGA, but if there’s any chance that there’s something else to blame, or at least partially involved, I’m more than eager to find out how to address it.

By: Nat

Nat — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 02:04:28 +0000

Hi Cait, I’m in Portland, OR and have seen Janet Roberts. She’s the BEST! I probably seen at least 6 providers over a 3 year period before I found Dr. Roberts. I was actually referred to her by a derm at OHSU. She really is the best when it comes to hair loss and can give you definite answer on what you have which although can be devastating, certainly allows you to begin treatment instead of the constant what ifs. I was diagnosed with TE and put on a prescription strength Iron. I still struggle with hair loss but it is nothing like it was. Anyway, just wanted to touch base and would be more than happy to answer any questions you might have. Cheers, Nat

By: Cait

Cait — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 23:47:27 +0000

Let me start off by saying that I’m a fellow Portlandian. I’ve been putting off seeing a dermatologist for about 8 years, since first noticing the thinness in my high-school graduation pictures. I kept thinking it was just stress, or maybe a reaction to my ADD medication, or lack of vitamins. If I blow-dry and tease I still look kind of normal in soft lighting. Finally, after several years of variable stress levels, no more medication and plenty of vitamins it has become clear that this isn’t normal, and it isn’t going away. So… I went to a local dermatologist (Dr. Claudia Taylor) this week and she told me pretty flatly that it was almost certainly androgenetic alopecia, and sent me home to take rogain for 4 months, with a follow up at that point to see if it works at all.
After crying for about 48 hours I finally got online and discovered this page. I realize that this post is about 4 years out of date, but I did find Brenda Kay on yelp, and already emailed to set up a consultation. I’m so relieved to find someone else in Portland who has gone through this and can be a resource for me. It was starting to seem like I was going to have to go to NY or LA to find any good specialists or stylists. If you are still here do you still see Dr. Roberts? Any tips you have would be SO appreciated. I’m especially hoping to find a sensitive stylist, and a place to look into custom wigs. I’ve been in denial for so long I feel like I’m being flooded with information now, and none of it is making me very optimistic.
My boyfriend tells me I’m lucky to live in Portland. I can just shave what’s left of my hair off and get a scalp tattoo, and I’ll still fit right it. He gets credit for cheering me up with a joke, but I’m hoping for some more realistic advice. I hope you’re still in Portland, although if the universe has any mercy you’ve grown a miraculous head of hair and no longer need this website.

By: Shanlaree

Shanlaree — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 22:41:49 +0000

kathy,

I read your post and send you out a warm heartful hug. I am sorry you are going through. The one thing I have learned so far from this hairloss journey. Is that going through this horrible ordeal can help mold us into different people. More understanding of others pain and how to hold hope for other people suffering, no matter what they suffer from.

I had an issue with a rude women the other day and even though she was way out of line and rude I said to myself ” She must be going through something and I am her outlet” Poor thing. I believe in order to grow we receive these gifts from GOD or the Universe and even though it is a bother and truly painful we can get through this. We are here for our sisters. Women can be so judemental to one another and hurtful.

Let’s change that around today and start smiling more and love our inner selves. It is almost like a death when hairloss happens and then we are reborn with a new ego with a sharpen spirit. best of luck to you on your journey!

Blessings,

ShanLaree

By: Kathy

Kathy — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 02:54:41 +0000

Hi,

I am a 45 year old women who started to notice hair loss about 14 years ago. It started very gradual, but has increased over the years. At the age of 39, I had a partial hysterectomy and then at 41, my ovaries were removed. Six weeks after the first surgery,I was in the bathroom combing my hair and started screaming and crying because it was all in the sink. My GYN assured me that was common after a major surgery such as the one that I had.

I became confident, certain that it would regrow; it didn’t. The thinning and the shedding increased over time. My stylist noticed and said it was a result of the HRT I was taking, so I stopped but the hair loss continued. Suffice to say several co-pays and multiple physician visits later, I am still dealing with this confidence shattering nightmare.

I have seen several dermatologists, had a few scalp biopsies and even injections to the scalp(this was sheer torture) and had also been placed on steroids. Thank God I did not balloon to porportions of enormity.

My children have been real supportive, but my relationships have suffered because I had lost my confidence and self-esteem as a result. When a boyfriend would touch my hair (a wig), I would shrink back and scowl. My secret was mine alone and I didn’t want them exploring through an intimate touch.

The hair loss continues to spread and at this point, I don’t know what to do. I am not on any medications, I have tried a lot of things including Women’s Rogaine, but I am african-american and that did not work for me everyday because of the time it took to apply and then style my hair.

Wigs are okay, but they itch and become hot after a while. Today, I washed my hair and had palms full from the comb. I look like “Homey the clown” and I am not laughing. My hairline is still in tact, but barely.

Thinning hair is genetic for me. My great-grandmother, my grandmother and my aunts suffered with it, but not my mom or my sister. The females on my father’s side are all bald. Even my paternal grandmother suffered. My dad and my half-sister are also dealing with hair loss and thinning. Funny thing though, my mom and my sister have beautiful hair. Another funny thing, all the dermatologists I have seen have said it is not genetics. I wish I knew for sure, maybe I could cope better and not keep asking “Why”?

By: Shanlaree

Shanlaree — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:52:33 +0000

Julie,

Brenda Kay does mostly integrations and wigs but she seems to know what she is talking about. I hope you find her info, if not let me know.

Blessings

By: Julie

Julie — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 03:18:30 +0000

Thank you for the information on Brenda Kay. Portland is alot close than many of the other websites I visited for hair replacement. In google alerts, I have it set up so that any information on female hair loss, female hair replacement is emailed to my site. I have come across many interesting articles.

By: shanlaree

shanlaree — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 04:48:33 +0000

Thanks karen and Julie for the info about Nioxin. I tried it awhile back but may try it again.
Thank you Julie for info on your background. Kinda nice to know other people’s history etc. Julie you may want to see Brenda Kay, she is great with helping people find solutions, she is in downtown Portland. You can find her info if you do a quick search on her name and hair loss. You your daughter may be able to seek assistance from her,if hair thins more she may be able to get a solution from her. She may offer some kind of integration or wig support. I am sorry that your sister passed on recently from cancer, so hard. My mom died from cancer too a few years back. So, I know how stressful and how bad it hurts when someone you love so much has to suffer this way. Many blessings!

Shanlaree