i wish i had a better idea of why my hair has decided to come back, but my hair refuses to tell me. i've been really good about taking the herbs my tcm doctor gave me (and using that damn sugar plum fairy hammer - name changed to protect its identity). i definitely think that could be part of it. i've also been using shampoo that a lovely woman in l.a. (who also has alopecia areata) kindly sent me, which might be helping too. but ultimately i think these results are simply due to the fact that auto-immune system disorders are fucking wack, have a mind of their own and are on their own path of destruction (and regeneration). there haven't been any major changes to my diet, exercise or sleep habits. i think it's just pure luck, and nature running its course. whatever it is, as long as my hair is growing, i'll take it!
i do have some small-ish new spots, but nothing compared to the craziness of the photo from june of last year.
shout out to my amazing friends, family and strangers from the internet for making this whole sack of shit experience much easier and a lot less lonely. you've helped me regain my confidence, learn how to put on a wig like a pro, chill the fuck out and get over myself. this blog has been super helpful for me to track my progress, but it's also been great as it's allowed me to interact with people in situations similar to mine. strength in hairloss numbers!
Wow! Your after picture is amazing. I'm very happy for you, your hair (and especially bangs!) really look thick and healthy. Please keep updating us!
ReplyDeleteWhat does ur diet consist of?
ReplyDeletei wish i could say my diet was fairly clean, but it definitely isn't. i eat a fair amount of protein everyday - like 50g or so? i try to eat a lot of fresh fruits and veggies (but most days i probably don't eat as much as i should). i have been known to eat the occasional bowl of popcorn, and i am sugar's number 1 fan and therefore consume a lot of it. the one thing i do avoid is fast food. i hope this helps!
DeleteCan I start a blog and call it The Alopecia Project part deux, a guy's view of dealing with one Alopecia spot at a time? Can you make me a title picture? I am new to the scene of both blogging an AA spots. Like today, I tried a pull test on the outlining hairs of a spot to see if it was still growing. Sure enough, a pinch full of hairs. I don't think a seasoned AA sufferer does things like that...
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you from Calgary!
Loren
Hey Loren! Welcome to the club! All new members receive a complimentary knit toque to keep our heads warm on those cold Canadian nights.
DeleteI had one doctor do a spot test once, and immediately told them to never do it again. Spot tests are the worst! I can't believe you inflict that upon yourself. Is your hair short? It's probably more difficult for you in that you don't have long hair to keep your spots covered, so everyday they taunt you like the little hairless assholes they are. I'm lucky in that most of my current spots are well covered by my hair (unless the wind blows, in which case, watch out world!). I'm sure everyone keeps telling you this, but it really is best if you try to relax and roll with it. Because I have alopecia, I'm allowed to give out annoying advice like that.
Have you gone for steroid injections?
Hang in there Loren. You and your hair follicles aren't alone.
P.S. What's your blog about?
DeleteNice! A toque how fitting.
ReplyDeleteWhen I noticed my first spot last year on my beard, I went to a Homeopath doctor (not to be confused with a Naturalpath, which I initially did). She prescribed me phosphorous to put a couple drops under my tongue nightly. It did not help and the spots grew on the beard to where the spots have taken over. After some time to figure out my next plan of action I decided to see my Dermatologist because the spot grew to where I then had a couple of toonie size spots in my hairline. He prescribed me steroid injections, in which I pretty much laughed in his face. Just like any doctor that wants to fix the symptoms and not the underlying cause. I then went to a Naturalpath which did a test to see my allergies. She said I was slightly ciliac, and I should try and eat gluten free foods. Well, I have never really eaten much breads anyways and eat somewhat healthy (no processed foods). I did some research on my own and found that amalgam (mercury) fillings may cause AA, and tinnitus (ringing in the ear). Tinnitus was something that appeared at around the same time I starting seeing AA spots. I have 9 of those ugly mercury filling in my mouth. Yikes! It made sense to me that over the years my received an amount of mercury leaking from my feelings that have started to affect my health.
So where I am now. After about a year and a half of suffering from AA, I just recently have replaced all my amalgam fillings with composite by a company in Calgary called purenorth.ca. They did at a reduced rate, which only cost me around $400 after insurance. Also, purenorth gets everyone on a regime of supplements, which includes high D vitamins. Their research shows all Canadians have low D vitamin levels. Pretty stoked to of found an alternative to traditional Canadian medicine. I have only been in purenorth program for about 4 months, and have been seeing some spots sprout white hair. Actually all regrowth in my spots are white.
My idea for blog is the same sort of thing you are doing. Blog about my experience of what is working (or not) for me.
Loren