Alopecia Areata - my story.
The first trimester of my second pregnancy was tough. Low energy, nausea, aching joints — you name it, I had it. I was overwhelmed with taking care of my energetic 16-month-old toddler and running a business. I didn't eat or sleep well, and most days I was an exhausted bundle of nerves. Then one sunny morning, as if I didn't have enough to deal with already, I found a tiny, perfectly round and completely smooth bald spot right on top of my head. I marveled at its crop formation-like flawlessness, and honestly wasn't even really that worried. These things happen when you're pregnant, right?
Within a few days, the spot grew to the size of a quarter. Hmm... I called my obstetrician, internist and dermatologist. They all agreed — it will grow back, no need to do anything at all. That is, not that anything could be done — I was pregnant, after all.
Fast-forward two weeks and I was wearing scarves to cover what was now a huge bald spot that took up most of the top of my head. I was still hopeful... and terrified. You see, it turned out that my hair comprised an enormous part of my self-esteem. Take into account my ever-expanding body and the ongoing nausea... well, you get the point. All I wanted to do was hide; going to public places like playgrounds, supermarkets and business events became a torture.
Two more weeks and I was stubbornly holding onto the few random tufts of hair that were left. My husband (who was now calling me David Crosby) finally convinced me to shave my head, and I ordered a wig. Sure, I could have gone al fresco, but I am not at all that daring. I hid my condition as if it were a shameful criminal past. I couldn't bear anyone ever finding out how hideous I had become. Wearing a wig helped me to keep going, to leave the house and be seen in public, to do the things I needed to do. It helped me lead a semi-normal life.
After I weaned the baby, I tried everything my dermatologist had to offer. Nothing worked. Dozens of painful shots in my scalp, bleeding, scalp atrophy — I wasn’t getting better, I was getting worse!
Just then, a horrible thing happened — my (then) two-year-old was diagnosed with autism. (You can read his story here.) My hair loss took a back seat as my husband and I battled this threat to our son’s health and future. As we made changes to every aspect of our son’s life, we did the same to our own. It turns out that my family's suffering contained a hidden blessing.
We changed our diet, improved our living environment, and reduced our exposure to toxins. We started working with a homotoxicologist and a homeopath. Amazingly, as our son began to recover, my hair started to grow! By the time Adam turned five, my long, flowing, luxurious tresses were back, well after I had given up three years earlier. Alopecia is not a chronic, hopeless condition, but merely a sign that your body is in crisis. As I discovered, healing is possible and attainable.
Today, I am an integrative health coach and a homotoxicologist. I am certified by Columbia University and a board-accredited member of the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. I help my clients overcome chronic illness, autoimmune dysfunction, and other degenerative conditions. If you are wondering how I can help you, read more about my approach.
Ready to get started? Schedule a health consultation! Contact me today!