I found this forum because I was looking for a place that involved real people with the problem I have. It is so heartbreaking to read all of these stories, because I can relate all too well. It is also inspiring because some of you seem so hopeful, and I struggle with that possibility everyday.
I am 21 and according to 3 doctors, (2 derms and an endo) suffering from androgenetic alopecia. I have all over thinning, most noticable in back and my bangs. I must have began losing my hair over two years ago, but didn't do anything until then. I hadn't noticed for so long because I used to have so much hair. Looking at old pictures may have been what scared me into getting a dermatologist. For a long time I had never uttered to words to anyone, and I was so scared to have to tell a stranger that I was a balding 19 year old. To this day I am not able to discuss it w/ anyone but those doctors.
I noticed my older sister seemed to be losing her hair, and I knew of it at least in my father's side. What kept me hopeful that it maybe wasn't genetic was that my brother is not losing his. Surely a male would be losing too right? After doing initial blood tests they found that my levels of free testosterone were high. I was overjoyed, thinking a little pill would stop my mental state from declining because of this, and everything would go back to normal. The drs. said everything else in the tests were normal, so they suggested birth control as a solution, and maybe rogain if I felt it was worth a shot. I tried it for 3 months and just couldn't keep up with it two times a day. It was messy and I already have oily hair as is, and of course it is not cheap.
I gave it up, and my dr kept saying, lets just keep you on the BC and see what happens. Well, 9 months go by and my levels are back to normal, with no sign of slowing hair loss or regrowth. It starts to sink into me that at every appointment I feel I'm not getting straight or helpful advice. The endo agreed to up my doseage from Orthro Lo to regular, only because ther is nothing else he can suggest, apparently. (But now will this cause me lose more hair!?) He in some words just said there is nothing more to do, and topicals aren't promising. I had already made an appt. with a more well know "specialist" and was only kept going by the hope that she may have other options. I was devestated when she was discussed my situation in the hallway full of med-students right outside the door and already said there was absolutely nothing else to do if all tests were done, before she even looked at me. It was almost as if she was annoyed by my being there, as if I wasted her time because I was deperate. I'm sure the woman didn't intend to be that nasty, but she was anything but sypathetic and helpful. "Go back on rogain and try a biopsy, otherwise, sorry."
Needless to say, I left with a rogain pamphlet and had my routine post appointment sobbing episode in the parking lot.
So now here I am, wondering if I should cancel an appt. made in Boston with a new derm for march. I cant bear to go all that way only to be made to feel like an unjustified fool without hope. I am so hesitant to begin rogain diligently because I can't stand the thought of losing more and more hair only to maybe regrow some. And based on many posts here, I don't think I will. I can't believe I have never heard of any other treatments that are listed here. I feel like I have been denied opportunities to imrove my life b/c of unqualified professionals. The only thing that keeps me going is the next thing to try, and I feel like I have nothing. How can something work if my DNA says tough sh*t?
The closest I have come to speaking about it with anyone is when my roomate found my rogain and laughed at me. At the time she didnt think I was losing my hair, which was comforting, but she must be paying close attention now. I feel it is happening even faster than my sister's, and I can't even ask her about it. In the past year I have fallen deeply in love with someone I cannot bring myself to tell, if he doesn't know already. I feel my friends and family must notice and discuss it behind my back because I haven't said anything. I just want to for one day not think or cry about it, I feel what's the point in planning a future? I refuse to go through life combing strands over, and wigs aren't an option. Sometimes I just can't believe this is my biggest concern and is hinderning me from even catching up with old friends. I am so sorry if this sounds like me just bitching but I have no one I can bear to talk to. I just don't know what to do and I cant even type without crying. I just want to sleep at night without disturbances and know that when I wake up something will be turning for the better and that I wont have to be jealous of a stranger because they have a full looking head of hair.
I guess this was more venting than anything but I'd love some more information to start all over again, I suppose. Should I do a biopsy just to do something? more blood tests? different birth control? are there any know specailists I can email my story to? begin all topicals again? I want to apologize and thank you if you have read this far and say best of luck to all of you.
I am 21 and according to 3 doctors, (2 derms and an endo) suffering from androgenetic alopecia. I have all over thinning, most noticable in back and my bangs. I must have began losing my hair over two years ago, but didn't do anything until then. I hadn't noticed for so long because I used to have so much hair. Looking at old pictures may have been what scared me into getting a dermatologist. For a long time I had never uttered to words to anyone, and I was so scared to have to tell a stranger that I was a balding 19 year old. To this day I am not able to discuss it w/ anyone but those doctors.
I noticed my older sister seemed to be losing her hair, and I knew of it at least in my father's side. What kept me hopeful that it maybe wasn't genetic was that my brother is not losing his. Surely a male would be losing too right? After doing initial blood tests they found that my levels of free testosterone were high. I was overjoyed, thinking a little pill would stop my mental state from declining because of this, and everything would go back to normal. The drs. said everything else in the tests were normal, so they suggested birth control as a solution, and maybe rogain if I felt it was worth a shot. I tried it for 3 months and just couldn't keep up with it two times a day. It was messy and I already have oily hair as is, and of course it is not cheap.
I gave it up, and my dr kept saying, lets just keep you on the BC and see what happens. Well, 9 months go by and my levels are back to normal, with no sign of slowing hair loss or regrowth. It starts to sink into me that at every appointment I feel I'm not getting straight or helpful advice. The endo agreed to up my doseage from Orthro Lo to regular, only because ther is nothing else he can suggest, apparently. (But now will this cause me lose more hair!?) He in some words just said there is nothing more to do, and topicals aren't promising. I had already made an appt. with a more well know "specialist" and was only kept going by the hope that she may have other options. I was devestated when she was discussed my situation in the hallway full of med-students right outside the door and already said there was absolutely nothing else to do if all tests were done, before she even looked at me. It was almost as if she was annoyed by my being there, as if I wasted her time because I was deperate. I'm sure the woman didn't intend to be that nasty, but she was anything but sypathetic and helpful. "Go back on rogain and try a biopsy, otherwise, sorry."
Needless to say, I left with a rogain pamphlet and had my routine post appointment sobbing episode in the parking lot.
So now here I am, wondering if I should cancel an appt. made in Boston with a new derm for march. I cant bear to go all that way only to be made to feel like an unjustified fool without hope. I am so hesitant to begin rogain diligently because I can't stand the thought of losing more and more hair only to maybe regrow some. And based on many posts here, I don't think I will. I can't believe I have never heard of any other treatments that are listed here. I feel like I have been denied opportunities to imrove my life b/c of unqualified professionals. The only thing that keeps me going is the next thing to try, and I feel like I have nothing. How can something work if my DNA says tough sh*t?
The closest I have come to speaking about it with anyone is when my roomate found my rogain and laughed at me. At the time she didnt think I was losing my hair, which was comforting, but she must be paying close attention now. I feel it is happening even faster than my sister's, and I can't even ask her about it. In the past year I have fallen deeply in love with someone I cannot bring myself to tell, if he doesn't know already. I feel my friends and family must notice and discuss it behind my back because I haven't said anything. I just want to for one day not think or cry about it, I feel what's the point in planning a future? I refuse to go through life combing strands over, and wigs aren't an option. Sometimes I just can't believe this is my biggest concern and is hinderning me from even catching up with old friends. I am so sorry if this sounds like me just bitching but I have no one I can bear to talk to. I just don't know what to do and I cant even type without crying. I just want to sleep at night without disturbances and know that when I wake up something will be turning for the better and that I wont have to be jealous of a stranger because they have a full looking head of hair.
I guess this was more venting than anything but I'd love some more information to start all over again, I suppose. Should I do a biopsy just to do something? more blood tests? different birth control? are there any know specailists I can email my story to? begin all topicals again? I want to apologize and thank you if you have read this far and say best of luck to all of you.
