Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Support Group
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) describes a sense of exhaustion and post-exertion malaise, even when you have gotten enough rest and sleep. The disease is characterized by six months of incapacitating fatigue experienced as profound exhaustion and extremely poor stamina, and problems with concentration and short-term memory. The cause is unknown, but it is a...
Since July, my hair went from dark blonde to a silvery, white and gray mix.
This is not common in my family. My Mom did not have any gray hair until she was in her 70's, my Dad in his 80's. My siblings, some a bit older, some a bit younger do not have any gray at all, as in zero, nada, zilch.
I continued to work with illness for many years and was finally benched in May. Went from STD to LTD and am going through the SSI process.
In July I still had the same color hair, but in just a matter of months look like Moses when he came down from the mount...I do not recognize my own head!
This is not a disaster, or a catastrophe...I know, but it is a big adjustment for me, dumb? Maybe... Vain? Perhaps...
My son says, "It is very Hollywood, very in....(what a diplomat!) My daughter says, "Embrace it!"
I'm getting there, but man oh man...it is still freaking me out.
This is not common in my family. My Mom did not have any gray hair until she was in her 70's, my Dad in his 80's. My siblings, some a bit older, some a bit younger do not have any gray at all, as in zero, nada, zilch.
I continued to work with illness for many years and was finally benched in May. Went from STD to LTD and am going through the SSI process.
In July I still had the same color hair, but in just a matter of months look like Moses when he came down from the mount...I do not recognize my own head!
This is not a disaster, or a catastrophe...I know, but it is a big adjustment for me, dumb? Maybe... Vain? Perhaps...
My son says, "It is very Hollywood, very in....(what a diplomat!) My daughter says, "Embrace it!"
I'm getting there, but man oh man...it is still freaking me out.
Mine just doesn't look healthy because of the different meds I take.
I stopped looking in mirrors but every so often I catch a glimse of myself and get discouraged by my appearance.
It's not vain it is something that takes time to get use to.
Hugs & Prayers,
Mary
My hair is falling out in clumps and I've noticed that some of the strands on my pillow look silvery and dead. Maybe its just my imagination.
I finally bought a chemo hat and some hair nets to try to keep the hair off the food, bed, clothes. I need to just go get it cut off but I've been too sick to leave the house.
Mary, I understand about the change in your hair, all the meds and illness are a drain on previously healthy shiny hair. I used to take Borage Oil and then Fish Oil, it helped...I noticed more rapid growth and stronger hair, it improved so much, but them had reactions to the supplements and had to stop. If you can take them, it does help! It takes a while to notice the improvement, but it might be something to consider. Thanks for your support and understanding!
You don't, thank you too, for your response. How brave you are, what an enormous adjustment to go through...I feel your pain and see the practical measures you are employing...my sister lost most of her hair and wore wigs that were an adjustment, but really helped to make her feel better, she also got some pretty hats for herself and from us, her family and slowly her hair has grown back in...it used to be straight and now it is so soft and curly. My curl has all, but vanished...
I am praying for both of you, want to tell you that I applaud your daily courage --- you are both in my thoughts & prayers!
That said, I'd gladly trade a youthful appearance for energy and health, and vitality!
It's very hard for me to accept how much this disease is taking a toll on me.
Someone out there is probably doing a study on aging in correlation to CFS, chronic and/or autoimmune conditions. Wonder what they would make of our situations?
It is probably fanciful thinking on my part, but I think my hair changed so swiftly and dramatically after making a decision to stay home. I worked for many years sick and really battled to stay in a place of (what I viewed as) independence. I knew I was too sick, it finally was getting through my stubborn wall of attitude...even while flat lining I was in a place of argument and denial with myself and the doctors. But I gave it all over to God to provide for me and received peace, the go ahead to stay home, pursue disability. But somewhere in all that, I think my hair reflects the power of that struggle, it took a lot out of me to reach a level of acceptance with God's help...It's a shocker every time someone sees me now, it was such a rapid change...definitely a conversation piece!
I am praying for you, as I do for me to celebrate each change, line & wrinkle...I worked hard to gain wisdom, raise a family, go through life's challenges...a lot of these things are living testament to the beauty of the lives we have lived...I earned a lot of those lines by LIVING. I'm only letting the illness claim partial credit...! I am such a dork...hugs to you, hang in there!
"Your Grey"
I'd gone silvery grey in less than 1 year.
I've noticed this week that I wake up with my short straight hair in my mouth every night. I think it's falling out and while breething I breeth it in. The other morning I was still fishing my hair out of my mouth at lunch time while watching the Cricket.
I hate hair in my mouth.
Al
I still feel like a blonde...but then there are all those dang mirrors out there to show me otherwise!
These rapid and/or premature changes are just sick & wrong!
I'm trying to keep a sense of humor about it all, but geez....if the universe could just cut us a bit of slack every now and again...sigh...
I will pray for you...