Is there no help for me?

[indi]

[SUB]I'm 34 Yrs Old. My hair fell out 5.5 months ago. I hurt so bad because I have been a natural hair advocate forever. My hair loss looks like traction alopecia, but I don't wear wigs, weaves, braids, I haven't relaxed my hair in 10 years. I don't wear my hair in tight buns and I don't use any chemicals in my hair. So I don't know why it's presenting like this.. Diffuse thinning just set back from the hairline starting from the temples to about 4 inches in and around the ears. The length of the intermittent hair is as long as my existing hair and my actual hair length is below my bra strap.

I moved from the UK to Ghana for my husband and his work. Neither of us are Ghanaian.

In December, I went back to UK and just noticed it was thinner. By the time I returned to Ghana 3 weeks later, my hair bald.

There is no help here. I have no family here, so I sit alone and cry every night. My husband is wonderful, but he can only hold me and tell me he is sorry. I feel too sorry for him to bother him with it anymore. I spoke to my doctor and she said that she would run some tests. That was 2 months ago. She never ran the tests. I had to do an 'emergency' GP visit last week. I didn't get to mention my hair loss, but he ran all the tests he possibly could and I got results same day and two days later. All my tests are great. He even commented on how great my results are. I'm a healthy person. I eat well, I supplement. I advocate healthy eating, skin and hair care. And here I am, a failure against my own words

I just needed to get it out of my system. I know there's no help for me, here.

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[ruger240]

Indi, I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I can't offer any advice as I have no clue why your hair would have fallen. Are you stressed? Stress or trauma can really take a toll on our hair but hari loss related to this normally grows back and doesn't take long. Try to get tested for Hypothyroidism, Endometriosis, PCOS, even liver and other hormonal problems can make us lose our hair. I have read that if something bigger is going on in our body that our bodies will concentrate on this rather than worrying about keeping our hair healthy and growing. I havent been able to wear my hair down in over 2years, I know what you are feeling and it's something you can't escape because it is apart of you, something you have to look at daily. I'm glad you do have a strong supportive husband in your life, I dont know what I would do without my fiance' and how supportive he is about the issue. Try being thankful every day for what you do have, that's easier said than done some day's, isn't it?! Anyway, I hope you get to the bottom of your hair loss, I'm still trying to figure out my own. I am diagnosed with hypothyroidism but even taking my medication I'm not seeing ANY changes sadly.

 

[Julieholl]

Hi, Indi. Your story so much reminds me my own - all tests are OK, as well as the overall health, while your hair is away for some unknown reason. This is just my assumption, but maybe your reason is related to your trip? I've heard that the sharp climate change could lead to weakened immune system, which in turn could cause the hairloss. I used to travel a lot, but my doctor recommended me to stay within my native climate zone.
Anyway, you've got two very important things: you are healthy, and you have your loving husband. This should give you strength to keep hoping for the best.

 

[MapleAsh]

Hello Indie and all,

I can well imagine what you are going through.. Though I am suffering from diffuse shedding all over my scalp, it is really a nightmare. Every morning starts with a thorough chechk looking for the new sprouts and counting how many hairs I've shed at night and it just keeps falling throughout the day and looks indescribably awful. It is like a vicious circle because it is likely that stress contributed (or triggered?) to your as well as to my shedding, but how could one come down and live a stress free life and 'concentrate on other things and enjoy life' as any people say? It is particularyl difficult to deal with for women who had beautiful, thich hair previously, it is really like you are being deprived of something that makes you a woman. So it really should not be underestimated nor the emotional pressure that it causes. I am not an expert so I wouldn't go into silly contemplations or draw unsubstantiated conclusions, this is a doctor's work. But what I suggest you if you can go back to the UK: certainly see a dermatologist, an endocrynologist who can get a detailed hormone test for you and I'd try acupuncture too if the problem is stress-related. Otherwise it can help if you buy pretty scarfs, braids to cover the worst areas, which are only temporary solutions and obviously don't solve the original problem, but can help to feel less unattractive, although I am sure you are not, it is just really really unusual. May I ask if you can see little sprouts somewhere?
All the best and keep strong, we'll all be fine! x