Saturday, December 11, 2010

Hair

I've been suspicious about this problem for a couple of weeks. At first, I tried to convince myself that I was overreacting. That I was just noticing something totally normal or I was just under too much stress. But, after watching the problem for a couple of weeks, I'm pretty certain it is not normal. I'm pretty certain something is wrong.

My hair is falling out. 

Not in huge quantities - I'm not going to be bald by next week or anything like that. But certainly a lot more hair is falling out than should be or usually does. Every time I touch my hair I come away with what seems like a handful. And more hair has been falling out in one shower than usually falls out in a week.

I know that a lot of the drugs I am on - particularly methotrexate - can be responsible for hair loss. Luckily, I have am appointment with my rheumatologist this upcoming week, so I can ask him what he thinks is causing it and what we can do about it. Hopefully we can find a way to stop it before it really becomes a problem.

In the meantime, it obviously doesn't make me feel particularly fantastic. Especially considering I have cold sores in both of my lips right now. My lips are a bloody mess - and not the cute, English slang kind of "bloody." The ugly, blood kind of bloody.

I know neither of these things are the end of the world. And I am very grateful that it isn't worse.  The cold sores are on my lips are not even that noticeable and no one but me can see the hair loss. But when I'm already tired and achy and a little bit grumpy, it can seem like a lot to bear. Especially when I can't help but picture myself bald and bloody on my wedding day. ~;o(

5 comments:

Zoƫ said...

Not to worry every bride looks wonderful for her wedding! (and for all else their is makeup;) You will make it through this.

~Mariah~ said...

ZOE: Thanks. ~;o) Every once and I while I just have one of those rough days and it helps to be able to share it with all of you!

tellurian mom said...

Mariah-
When I read your post... all I could think was that it's like your body is finally letting go of all of that school stress. You are purging years of late night paper writing, exams, and dragging yourself to class while in pain. I think your body is doing a stress cleanse.... and if so, hopefully you will be feeling better as soon your body can let go of it and get into a new groove.


That being said, I do know a young lady who ahd problems with hair loss due to Enbrel... so that could be a culprit too. Hopefully your doc has some good options....

Congratulations on all of your accomplishments... I can't imagine what that must feel like to have climbed such a mountain range! You are remarkable... and you will be a gorgeous multi-graduate degree owning bride :)
Colleen

~Mariah~ said...

COLLEEN: You are probably right that it is stress related. And I do have a fuzzy army of little baby hairs, so at least it looks like it is growing back. Though I do think I'll mention it to the doctor as well. As for how it feels to be done? Right now it feels...tired! Really tired. I need a few weeks to adjust back to real life! ~;o) Thanks for your kind words!

KCFitch said...

Hi cuz'

Just getting time to go back through all my blog posts that I missed (the old RA 2-week-cold is finally letting up) and saw this one. I hate to add confusion to the whole thing, but we unfortunately do also have a family history of hair loss in women. I'm sure you remember that nana had very thin hair long before she was diagnosed with cancer... and do you remember aunt Jessie (on our great grandfather's side)? She wore a wig!

I only caution you because I've been losing hair for sometime now too (and I don't take any meds that have that as a side effect)... it may just be in our family nature.

On the bright side, at least you don't have to worry about the premature graying that also runs in our family. By the time I was your age, I had already started coloring my hair and it 34 I'm already 40% gray! LOL.

One thing we can be happy about is that we come from a long line of strong women (your mom and mine included) who have "figured it out." Gray, or bald, or bloody.. what have you... you will be the most beautiful woman at your wedding because you are a strong woman.

Love to you!