![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ginny l on May 9, 2000, at 14:17:52
Has anyone taken depakote and if so what have been some of the side effects you've noticed? I have somewhat long and very thick hair and since taking depakote every time I wash my hair I seem to lose maybe 15 to 20 strands of hair each time. Then when I comb it I lose 15 or 20 more! Pretty soon at this rate I'm afraid I'll be bald. My hair has really thinned out. The depakote has helped somewhat with the headaches, but I'm not going to take it anymore because of the hair loss. I've tried other medications and they all seem to have side effects that I don't want to deal with also. I'm just about tired of trying everything! Any suggestions?
Posted by maggie on May 9, 2000, at 22:38:48
In reply to depakote, posted by ginny l on May 9, 2000, at 14:17:52
I have been on depakote for 1 year.
Altho I do not have your particular side effect, I know that it is very common.
My side effect is weight gain, and plenty of it.
Problem is..it does help.
Definately speak to your doctor about it.
One always has to weigh the side effects with the benefits.
Posted by quilter on May 10, 2000, at 0:42:24
In reply to Re: depakote, posted by maggie on May 9, 2000, at 22:38:48
My daughter took Depakote for absence seizures and had this problem. She was advised to take a vitamin supplement with zinc each day. I'm not sure why but it did help with the falling hair. Her hair also became quite curly. It has gotten strait again since she outgrew the epilepsy and stopped taking that med.
Posted by Cam W. on May 10, 2000, at 6:59:43
In reply to depakote, posted by ginny l on May 9, 2000, at 14:17:52
Ginny - Try Zinc and/or Selenium supplements. I am not sure of the dosage ("just follow the package directions" - God, I can't believe I said that). These mineral do help some people with Depakote-induced hair loss.Transient hair loss with Depakote is fairly common. Many times it will resolve on it's own. Stick with the Depakote, as, like you said, it is hard (and frustrating) to find a drug that works. If you live in Southern Alberta, or thereabouts, you may be low on selenium (little in the soil or water, although not a great big deal).
Just a thought - Cam
Posted by Ginny L on May 10, 2000, at 7:32:48
In reply to Re: depakote, posted by Cam W. on May 10, 2000, at 6:59:43
>
> Ginny - Try Zinc and/or Selenium supplements. I am not sure of the dosage ("just follow the package directions" - God, I can't believe I said that). These mineral do help some people with Depakote-induced hair loss.
>
> Transient hair loss with Depakote is fairly common. Many times it will resolve on it's own. Stick with the Depakote, as, like you said, it is hard (and frustrating) to find a drug that works. If you live in Southern Alberta, or thereabouts, you may be low on selenium (little in the soil or water, although not a great big deal).
>
> Just a thought - CamThanks for the information on the zinc supplements. I WILL call my Dr. about that and will definately begin taking it right away because like you said Cam, it really is hard to find a medication that works. Thanks again. Ginny L.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.