I was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica

I was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica

It was a lovely sunny day in June 2009. I was just going home down a country lane after work, listening to Paul Merton on Radio 4 rambling on about his memories on Just a Minute. Not care in the world, then round the bend comes the farmer in his Land Rover at speed and BANG, crashes right into me, head on, nowhere to go, single track lane. After that, my life took on a different trajectory. Within a month I was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica and for the next three years was taking prednisolone, a steroid tablet to reduce inflammation, enabling me to function like a normal person.

In 2012 my colleagues commented on the amount of hair on my shoulders, and I assumed the dog had been sleeping on my jacket. No, they said, it looks like your hair. I took no notice just went on my way back home at the end of the day and didn’t even think about it. But then I went to the hairdresser and she held a mirror up to the top of my head, and there it was. I wasn’t overly concerned at the time, I just thought it was temporary as I was coming off the steroids. I expected my hair to grow back strong, thick glossy, even though, to be fair, it was never that good.

Some people told me that when your hair re-grows it sometimes comes back a bit curly or maybe a different colour. Convinced it would come back one day, I’d imagine what it would be like and if it would suit me. After a while, when it didn’t, my confidence melted. I felt very unattractive, I wanted to hide. I stopped going out, I didn’t want to socialise. I don’t normally give into difficulties in my life, I usually look for solutions, I’m not a quitter.

Sue looks amazing in Fenja Mono Part wig by Ellen Wille Hairpower Collection in shade Sand Multi Rooted. Model wears shade Champagne Rooted.

So, I started to research. My first queries were about hair enhancements, toppers, and where I might acquire one. I heard of an ex-nurse who helped cancer patients with sourcing hair replacement or wigs and made an appointment to see her. In a way that felt like defeat, as if I’d given up on my own hair ever coming back so I wasn’t very enthusiastic. Just sad. She measured my head. We talked about density of hair, length, colour et cetera.

She sent the details away and then rang to say that the piece had arrived, so my daughter and I went to see it. The enhancement clipped to my own hair, what was left of it, and blended perfectly, but I still felt sad, grieving for the hair I’d given up on and very self-conscious still about my looks.

The medication didn’t just affect my hair growth, it also made me put on two stone in weight which was a 25% increase for me. I bought a tent of a dress and ventured out, new hairpiece in place, to resume my social life. It took about a year before I felt comfortable. Over that time the weight loss became easier, but I still wasn’t happy with my self.

When you first lose your hair all you want is to have back what you’ve lost but when I started to analyse what would really make me feel better. I realised that I could have a different image than I ever thought possible. I could look better than I’d ever hoped, have more beautiful hair than I could ever have dreamed of – if I could find the perfect wig for me. That’s when I started my quest.

I now own several wigs in different colours, I chop and change to suit my mood or the event I’m going to, I no longer care if people know I’m wearing a wig, I celebrate it. My confidence has grown so much I’ve now shaved off the rest of my hair and swim again, diving into water is something I’ve missed so much.

Not to mention the convenience, no more hair colour disasters that thinned my hair and made it brittle and break. No more disappointing haircuts. No more hours spent perfecting a style only for it to droop as soon as it hit the damp air.

Some of my friends have said they’re jealous of my hair and how young I look for my age, I’m 74, I just say “Well, there’s nothing stopping you going out and getting your own wig, is there!

Love to you all, Sue xx


Comments

4 thoughts on “I was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica

  1. I too was diagnosed with polymyagia following my cancer treatment and chemo . I was on prednisalone for 5 years
    and really struggled to get off them, coupled with hypothyroidism my hair never recovered. Now I have it cropped and wear wigs full time if out. I think I have
    about 12 now including a few mistakes!
    It’s a difficult thing to come to come to terms with but
    watching wig reviews and reading articles like this you
    realise you are not alone. Good luck Sue, xx

  2. Dear Sue,
    I think you look fabulous in your wig. it looks totally natural. I also had Polymyalgia Rheumatica a few years ago which was so debilitating. It lasted about 3 years. My hair loss started around the menopause which was also when I was prescribed a beta blocker for BP. One of the side effects was hair loss. after a few stressful years trying to cover up my very thinning hair, I decided to try wigs and this was the best decision I ever made. No more hair hassle, just get up in the morning and pop on the lovely Natalie by Jon Renau. Lots of compliments at first, but now people just accept it as my hair now.
    Hope you keep in good health. Best wishes and lots of wig wearing fun.

  3. Like Sue I have polymyalgia,take Prednisalone and am losing what little hair I have left after having chemotherapy.I have 3 wigs and love each one. I don’t feel dressed till I’ve chosen my hairstyle for the day.

  4. Thank you for posting your story Sue as it is very close to my own. Prednisolone was prescribed for polymyalgia rheumatica and gave me back my life but over time ruined my hair. Thankfully, I also found that becoming a wig wearer was something really special – a different personality every day if needed! Enjoy.


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