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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by shadows721 on July 4, 2004, at 12:41:11
I first noticed some hair loss with Lexapro. Now, I am noticing it more with the topamax. I am a female and I am thinking about using rogaine. Anyone have any insight into this problem and solution?
Posted by Tony C. on July 4, 2004, at 12:45:20
In reply to HAIR LOSS AND MEDS, posted by shadows721 on July 4, 2004, at 12:41:11
Have you thought about a COMPLETE Thyroid work up ? Thyroid can make you lose hair on head, out eyebrows, legs etc.
Tony C.
Posted by Racer on July 4, 2004, at 14:24:22
In reply to Re: HAIR LOSS AND MEDS, posted by Tony C. on July 4, 2004, at 12:45:20
Stress can also do it. I can't remember the name of it, but there's a stress reaction that can cause the hairs on your head to fall out diffusely. Your hair has three stages of 'life': active growth, resting, and falling out. The "resting" stage usually lasts about three months, I think it was, but with this kind of hair loss, all the hair in the resting stage just falls right out. Usually, since your hairs aren't on the same schedule in terms of their stage, you lose a fair number of hairs daily, but not a significant percentage of your total hairs. When this stress hair loss happens, though, you can lose about a third of you hair in a very short period of time.
Now, how do I know about this? Ask me why I got my waist-length hair chopped to ear level? For me, it started about a month after attempting suicide with an overdose of Lexapro. (And the articles I found all said about a month after the stressor event was when the hair loss usually showed up.) My doctor said, when I asked about it, that it's just the stress, not the drug. I don't know if I believe him or not, but I didn't see anything about Lexapro causing any sort of hair loss when I was researching my own hair loss.
I did see a lot saying that this kind of stress-related hair loss is temporary, reversible, and totally benign. Except, of course, to self-image, self-confidence, and self-esteem. On the other hand, the woman who sheared my locks did say last time I saw her that she was seeing a pretty significant amount of new growth. (Unfortunately, I went through a second round of it, too, which is understandable considering what I've been going through trying to deal with County health services. Without that additional stressor, I probably wouldn't have lost the second wave of hair.)
As for fixing it, before trying Rogaine, I got a bottle of Nioxin shampoo. I can't tell you that it's miraculously fixed the whole problem -- even if it had, hair only grows so fast, you know? -- but I can tell you that some other problems I'd been having are better (we have lousy water, and this is the first shampoo I've tried that actually makes my head feel *clean*, and that's certainly improved the health of my scalp), and there is new growth.
No matter what caused it in the first place, hair loss is awful for everyong, and especially distressing to women and even more so when we're also dealing with mood disorders.
Posted by Tepiaca on July 4, 2004, at 18:05:39
In reply to Re: HAIR LOSS AND MEDS, posted by Tony C. on July 4, 2004, at 12:45:20
> Have you thought about a COMPLETE Thyroid work up ? Thyroid can make you lose hair on head, out eyebrows, legs etc.
>
> Tony C.hi tony , I also lose my hair very easy in my head , legs , eyebrow and all the rest of my body
I used to take shyntroid because my thiroid levels were a little down .
Now I dont take it anymore.Do you think this can be my problem ??
what do you suggest me to do?Thanks =)
Posted by Tony C. on July 5, 2004, at 7:00:26
In reply to Re: HAIR LOSS AND MEDS » Tony C., posted by Tepiaca on July 4, 2004, at 18:05:39
Hi there, Nioxin is a good Shampoo that keeps your hair in on your head I use it. I think I am Hypo Thyroid, and the Nefazodone masks it, I got all symptoms, but since the Serzone/ Nefazodone imporves alot of my symptoms I think it gives me a false TSH therefore it is masked. I just know I am Hypo Thyroid, in my family and I had 90% of Symptoms.
Best wishes - Tony C.
Posted by tabitha on July 5, 2004, at 15:22:33
In reply to HAIR LOSS AND MEDS, posted by shadows721 on July 4, 2004, at 12:41:11
Hi Shadows, I've had the 1/3 hair loss like Racer described when I was on effexor. That grew back mostly, but I still seem to lose quit a bit periodically. The result is my hair has a lot of different lengths in it, and it looks a bit frizzy as a result. I found this website that seemed to have the best info:
http://www.hairlosstalk.com/research/women/step1wom.htm
If you go through that info, they recommend finding a dermatologist who specializes in female hair loss and getting some specific tests done. My pdoc, last time I asked him, also said the next step was to consult a dermatologist. I never did that.
I have a lot of hair to begin with so my hair doesn't look noticeably thin to anyone. I cut it shorter (shoulder length) and it's wavy, so it looks a lot fuller. I thought about the Rogaine too, but I honestly can't see myself using it for life, even if it works.
Anyway just thought I'd pass along that website.
Posted by Angel Girl on July 10, 2004, at 22:23:00
In reply to HAIR LOSS AND MEDS, posted by shadows721 on July 4, 2004, at 12:41:11
> I first noticed some hair loss with Lexapro. Now, I am noticing it more with the topamax. I am a female and I am thinking about using rogaine. Anyone have any insight into this problem and solution?
Sorry you're experiencing hair loss. I am too, from Depakote, so I've been weaning off of it, or at least I was. I think I may have to actually stay on it now. :( It makes my hair fall out and it makes it frizzy, both of which are extremely depressing. When you're depressed to begin with, you certainly don't need your hair falling out to make you even more depressed every time you look into the mirror. You mentioned that you experience it with Topamax too? Wonderful, I just started Topamax yesterday. I didn't know it had that side effect. This does not make me very happy. :(
AG
Posted by Angel Girl on July 10, 2004, at 22:28:14
In reply to Re: FOR TEPIACA HAIR LOSS AND MEDS, posted by Tony C. on July 5, 2004, at 7:00:26
> Hi there, Nioxin is a good Shampoo that keeps your hair in on your head I use it. I think I am Hypo Thyroid, and the Nefazodone masks it, I got all symptoms, but since the Serzone/ Nefazodone imporves alot of my symptoms I think it gives me a false TSH therefore it is masked. I just know I am Hypo Thyroid, in my family and I had 90% of Symptoms.
>
> Best wishes - Tony C.Hi Tony
I don't have a thyroid problem. I've been tested a few times. My hair loss is strictly med related (Depakote). As I previously mentioned, this is my 2nd day of taking Topamax and I'm now learning that it has the same side effect. Not very happy to find that out.
Is the Nioxin shampoo available anywhere or is it a prescription shampoo only?
Thanks,
Angel Girl
Posted by Angel Girl on July 10, 2004, at 22:37:12
In reply to Re: HAIR LOSS AND MEDS » shadows721, posted by tabitha on July 5, 2004, at 15:22:33
> Hi Shadows, I've had the 1/3 hair loss like Racer described when I was on effexor. That grew back mostly, but I still seem to lose quit a bit periodically. The result is my hair has a lot of different lengths in it, and it looks a bit frizzy as a result. I found this website that seemed to have the best info:
>
> http://www.hairlosstalk.com/research/women/step1wom.htm
>
> If you go through that info, they recommend finding a dermatologist who specializes in female hair loss and getting some specific tests done. My pdoc, last time I asked him, also said the next step was to consult a dermatologist. I never did that.
>
> I have a lot of hair to begin with so my hair doesn't look noticeably thin to anyone. I cut it shorter (shoulder length) and it's wavy, so it looks a lot fuller. I thought about the Rogaine too, but I honestly can't see myself using it for life, even if it works.
>
> Anyway just thought I'd pass along that website.Tabitha
1/3 hair loss? YIKES!!! Now, you *really* have me worried. My hair is fine and wavy. With having fine hair, if I lost that much you would certainly notice it. I would be too depressed to go out the door. :( I'm going to check out the link you've provided. Thanks!
AG
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