Note: This post isn’t about fitness or nutrition whatsoever. It’s totally about my hair.
I knew there was a chance this would happen. That’s why I take my folic acid, my biotin, my gelatin in my tea. I was hoping to at least slow it down. And hey – maybe I did. Maybe if I hadn’t taken those supplements, I’d be worse off than I am now. I’ll spare you the photos I contemplated sharing (my purple-filled drain and full hairbrush) because that’s just plain nasty. Ain’t nobody got time for that.
The side effects of the methotrexate have made their grand entrance. I’ve already experienced those that follow the day of and the day after: nausea, dizziness, fatigue. Plus side: I used to experience that daily prior to starting the methotrexate. Now I’m adding the one side effect I’d taken pains to avoid: hair loss.
I’m pretty vain. I like to look pretty. I like to play around with hair styles and colors. Call me shallow, but I want to keep my hair. I enjoy 
having it around to flip in dramatic fashion or twirl when I’m fidgety. Know what I enjoy even more? Energy. Serious pain reduction. The ability to get out of bed in the morning. That’s a real thing, folks, and I know my fellow Spoonies can empathize. Pre-methotrexate, it wasn’t always a guarantee. And to be completely honest, it’s not even a guarantee now. It’s just the odds are much better.
I am experiencing a swirling kaleidoscope of emotions regarding the hair loss, ranging all the way from sadness to apathy to anger. In the end, my warrior self wins out. This is but a bump in the road. Especially because at this point, my hair is merely thinning and I have a superhero fairy godmother in my corner (her name is Gwen and she’s my hairstylist and she’s pretty freakin’ amazing). No bald spots have set up residence on my noggin yet.
I’m scouring Pinterest for shorter styles and even-shorter-than-short styles. Reconsidering the return of my badass Mohawk days. Debating crazy colors. I mean, if I’m going to do it, I may as well do it big, right? This first cut will likely be mild as I ease into the realm of the short-haired. I don’t know how long my hair will last, so I’d like to get the most out of it while I have it, ya know?
So what I’d like from you, Loyal Readers, is your opinion: which of the following cuts do you like best?
Filed under: autoimmune disease, beauty, hair, health, rheumatoid arthritis, side effects, spoonies Tagged: autoimmune disease, beauty, confidence, hair, health, rheumatoid arthritis, side effects, women
