Is this normal!!!???

[lucyxx]

Hey everyone, I have a few concerns that you migth be able to help me with

1.) I have had 'cracky' knees for a few years now, everytime i bend down they crack, is it just because im growing? + I have the same problem with my left wrist, but it creeks, and sometimes aches. is that a sign of arthritus? Im only 15! but i no you can get it early, im not sure. My hip and toes crack too? :S

2.) for a few months now, everytime i bursh my hair or when i shower, quite a lot of strands fall out of my hair, it is very thick, so its not that im scared of going bald or anything :P... but is it a bad sign of something? could i be lacking a nutrient or is it just my hormones?

3.) I have really irregular periods, sometimes I dont have any, and I had one that was 3 weeks after the other which is so wierd for me, the other week. is that just my age too?

4.) I feel i have loads of 'extra' hair, hair that a woman just shouldnt have!
ever since i was born, I have had a hairy back (EW!) but my mum sed that the nurses said that it was becuase i was slighty premiture (3 weeks)... which makes absolutely no sense what so ever!.... I also have very hairy arms, which i use hair removal cream on because its so unattractive, my legs are hairer than normal woman too. my toes have a bit on too (EW again!), and i even have sorta sideburns? im not sure... urgh it just makes me feel so unwomanly at times, I cover the sides of my face easily with my fringe (few..) oh and my tummy has just started to get a bit on its horrible! I cried when i saw it, about a year ago now ... and its not dark enough to get it lazered off when im older, so what can i do to get rid off it? i dnt wanna shave it cos it will grow back prickly and darker?


do all these things mean anything at all to anyone?
please help!


thanks

xxxxxxx

[losing touch.]

Originally Posted by lucyxx

1.) I have had 'cracky' knees for a few years now, everytime i bend down they crack, is it just because im growing? + I have the same problem with my left wrist, but it creeks, and sometimes aches. is that a sign of arthritus? Im only 15! but i no you can get it early, im not sure. My hip and toes crack too? :S

you only really need to worry about cracking or popping joints if there is pain when it cracks. also, if theres swelling this is isn't normal and should be checked out. also, if your joints get really stiff or 'lock' when they crack or pop it could indicate a problem. if you're losing any of the function or movement from your knees or wherever then you should also seek medical attention.

Originally Posted by lucyxx

2.) for a few months now, everytime i bursh my hair or when i shower, quite a lot of strands fall out of my hair, it is very thick, so its not that im scared of going bald or anything :P... but is it a bad sign of something? could i be lacking a nutrient or is it just my hormones?

theres another thread about this open here; http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f16-g...falling-out-s/

i wouldn't be overly worried about it.. maybe worth a mention next time you see your doctor, but i wouldn't go rushing in or anything like that.

Originally Posted by lucyxx

3.) I have really irregular periods, sometimes I dont have any, and I had one that was 3 weeks after the other which is so wierd for me, the other week. is that just my age too?

completely normal. it should settle down over the next few months/years.. it can take a while though. it's almost always nothing to worry about and just down to your age. in fact some peoples periods never completely regulate so it's not unusual. you may want to consider the option of birth control [probably the best for you would be the pill, but i only say that because that's what most teenage girls who are on birth control opt for. that definitely helps to regulate periods.]

Originally Posted by lucyxx

4.) I feel i have loads of 'extra' hair, hair that a woman just shouldnt have!
ever since i was born, I have had a hairy back (EW!) but my mum sed that the nurses said that it was becuase i was slighty premiture (3 weeks)... which makes absolutely no sense what so ever!.... I also have very hairy arms, which i use hair removal cream on because its so unattractive, my legs are hairer than normal woman too. my toes have a bit on too (EW again!), and i even have sorta sideburns? im not sure... urgh it just makes me feel so unwomanly at times, I cover the sides of my face easily with my fringe (few..) oh and my tummy has just started to get a bit on its horrible! I cried when i saw it, about a year ago now ... and its not dark enough to get it lazered off when im older, so what can i do to get rid off it? i dnt wanna shave it cos it will grow back prickly and darker?

yeah i wouldn't shave it off before it will grow parker thicker. have you thought about waxing? don't worry though - excess hair is not unusual at all it's something a lot of girls worry about.

none of your symptoms sounds particularly worrying to me - and most of them are something that we all go through at some point. don't stress over it, things tend to settle down as you get older anyway.

[alonealways]

Originally Posted by lucyxx

Hey everyone, I have a few concerns that you migth be able to help me with

1.) I have had 'cracky' knees for a few years now, everytime i bend down they crack, is it just because im growing? + I have the same problem with my left wrist, but it creeks, and sometimes aches. is that a sign of arthritus? Im only 15! but i no you can get it early, im not sure. My hip and toes crack too? :S

2.) for a few months now, everytime i bursh my hair or when i shower, quite a lot of strands fall out of my hair, it is very thick, so its not that im scared of going bald or anything :P... but is it a bad sign of something? could i be lacking a nutrient or is it just my hormones?

3.) I have really irregular periods, sometimes I dont have any, and I had one that was 3 weeks after the other which is so wierd for me, the other week. is that just my age too?

4.) I feel i have loads of 'extra' hair, hair that a woman just shouldnt have!
ever since i was born, I have had a hairy back (EW!) but my mum sed that the nurses said that it was becuase i was slighty premiture (3 weeks)... which makes absolutely no sense what so ever!.... I also have very hairy arms, which i use hair removal cream on because its so unattractive, my legs are hairer than normal woman too. my toes have a bit on too (EW again!), and i even have sorta sideburns? im not sure... urgh it just makes me feel so unwomanly at times, I cover the sides of my face easily with my fringe (few..) oh and my tummy has just started to get a bit on its horrible! I cried when i saw it, about a year ago now ... and its not dark enough to get it lazered off when im older, so what can i do to get rid off it? i dnt wanna shave it cos it will grow back prickly and darker?


do all these things mean anything at all to anyone?
please help!


thanks

xxxxxxx

1. That happens to me all the time. I dance and so my joints take quite a beating and they crack but "cracking" something doesn't always mean arthritis. Like Elle. said. Only worry if there's swelling or pain.

2. I have crazy thick hair (the kind where you put it up in a ponytail and literally it looks like you've been moving around cause it just kinda sinks.. it never stays up. :/ ) and strands fall out CONSTANTLY. Brushing it, washing it, anything. It always just comes out. My mom says it's normal. Wouldn't worry about it.

3. Yeah like Elle. said you sometimes have to wait a while for your period to settle down.

I have no information on number four, sorry.

I hope you took some comfort in knowing that these things happen to other people too and it's normal. (:

[VampirePrincess]

Hey there!

Cracky things, while not pleasant, aren't much to be worried about. Some people crack easier than others. Many people do it very often on purpose. My jaw cracks/pops almost every time I open my mouth, and there's nothing wrong with me...except I'm unusually silent! Growing can cause many odd things to happen...when I was 12, every once in while I would run and fall down. I couldn't move my leg, but it wasn't broken or anything. What it was, was my tendon...located behind the knee (I think, at least around it) fell out of place, making it impossible for me to move my leg during that time. I know that's way different than your problem, but I'm just pointing out that growing can cause a whole host of problems You can get arthritis quite early. My aunt has had it since she was 11! However, is it only in your wrist? Arthritis would probably occur at more places than just that. i find your fingers are the most common place for it to start (according to all my relatives who have it). How often do you use the computer? If you're on it a lot, the awkward position you need to keep your hand in makes your wrist hurt very badly. But even if you don't use it a lot, some people are more prone to it than others. Could potentially be carpal tunnel syndrome...but only if you're on 24/7 at your age. Even so, not saying it is that...it's just more likely than arthritis. Try wearing a wrist brace, you can buy them at any drug store, and they really do help a lot

Hair loss is caused by vitamin deficiencies and stress...and other things, I'm sure. Hair loss by stress and occur even if you're only slightly stressed, and normally reflects a few months later - although if you're constantly stressed this will seem like constant hair loss! Don't know much about the vitamin deficiency one, just know it happens. Still, this is nothing to worry about...some people just lose a lot of hair.

Irregular periods...I've had mine for 6 years now and I'm still irregular. Some girls are always very irregular. However, I've heard it takes at least 5 years to settle into a permanent schedule, if it's going to, so I wouldn't worry yet. As you get older you'll begin to just kind of feel when it's headed your way based on mood swings and sensitivities, etc. Until you can recognize it I know it's frustrating to never know when it's on the way! Try keeping close track (sounds like you are) and maybe it'll fall into a certain time period...like, always between 20 and 40 days or something like that.

Hm...I would say you have a right to be concerned. This is very very far out guess, and maybe has no chance of being right, but maybe a hormonal imbalance is causing that. Pills could be used to correct it, but do not use them without strict supervision from your doctor because if the wrong amount is taken it could be disastrous. Assuming it's not that, a dermatologist is the person you want to talk to. I know they're skin people, but lasor hair removal is done by them for skin purposes so you'll want to discuss the possibility with them. I'm getting it done...soonish. You cannot have it done before you are in your 20's, otherwise you risk the hair growing back, and who wants to pay for it twice? That's exactly what my dermatologist told me. The thing about hair growing back thicker and darker is mostly a myth. I say mostly because it does happen sometimes. I honestly have a slight mustache and have to shave it off every week...it has never grown back thicker or darker and I've been doing this for years.

In all these cases though, for anything that worries you, talk to your doctor I can't say it will help the problems, but it will certainly make you feel better

[lucyxx]

Thankyou all very much, helped a lot this site is so kind and helpful