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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lynn G. on August 12, 2002, at 11:32:43
About 12 years ago I suffered from massive depression. After several different Meds were tried I finally got successful results with Wellbutrin. I experienced no side effects. I took the Wellbutrin for about 2 years then weaned off successfully. I have taken Prozac and Zoloft and experienced many side effects including hair loss. About a month ago my MD prescribed Wellbutrin for me. Again, the depression is successfully being treated, but I am experiencing massive hair loss...MASSIVE. I think the impending baldness may be as bad as the depression. The MD has suggested switching to Effexor.
Has anyone experienced hair loss with Effexor?
Will my hair grow back if I stop taking the Wellbutrin...or will it start growing back while I am on the Wellbutrin?
Any advice or information will be greatly appreciated...Thanks in advance for your responses.
Posted by Gabbi on August 12, 2002, at 15:05:38
In reply to Hair Loss and Anti Depressants, posted by Lynn G. on August 12, 2002, at 11:32:43
Hi Lynn.
When I started on Prozac about 7 years ago my
hair completely changed texture and chunks at the back of head fell out completely. Is it breaking off, or coming out at the root?
The reason I'm asking is that depression and the stress resulting from it can cause your hair to fall from the root and not grow back. Its called stress "alopecia"
If its breaking off though, its likely the medication. Medication deposits tend to make your hair really fragile especially at the back of your head. Additionally the medications you mentioned deplete the body of vitamin B's which are integral to the strengh of your hair.I can't say whether or not switching to effexor will solve the problem. There are a few things that have helped me significantly though. One is using a satin pillowcase, it doesn't 'grab' your hair. Another is taking flax oil, Extra Vitamin A and E as well as a high quality vitamin B complex. These have to be taken regularly and long term to see the benefits. I also use a special cleansing shampoo once a week, (Redken Creme Cleanse) which removes medication deposits, there are several brands which call themselves deep cleansing shampoos though, just make sure it specifies that it removes medication deposits.
Lifestyle changes which accompany depression can also cause hair loss,such as less excercise or an erratic diet.
However if it is coming out at the root, and not growing back I suspect its alopecia which can definately be helped by the previous suggestions but may also need additional treatment.
Best of Luck to you
I was horrifed when it happened to me, as if the depression isn't bad enough....
My hair is almost back to the way it was pre-depression from the Vitamins and Flax oil though, so there is hope.
Hang in there.
(and tell your hair I said that too.)
Posted by Lynn G. on August 12, 2002, at 21:53:36
In reply to Re: Hair Loss and Anti Depressants » Lynn G., posted by Gabbi on August 12, 2002, at 15:05:38
Thanks for your response. Actually, I took Wellbutrin with success but this time my hair is falling out. Are you still on an anti depressant? How long does it take for your hair to grow back?....most of my hair is shedding at the follicle. I have probably lost about 1/3 also just in the last month...Each time I wash my hair I fill up a small zip loc with hair. It seems to be subsiding this week. It is a difficult trade off for me. My vanity or my sanity...(Ha Ha) at least I have a sense of humor about all this. Thanks for your response.
Posted by Gabbi on August 12, 2002, at 22:33:18
In reply to Re: Hair Loss and Anti Depressants - Gabbi, posted by Lynn G. on August 12, 2002, at 21:53:36
About the Vanity or Sanity quesion.
Don't you love it when you take meds that make you shed, retain water, fuzzy headed, get weird rashes, gain weight, and people tell you that pills are taking the easy way out....Depending on your circulation hair grows at about 1/4 inch per month, but it may take a while for previous medication to stop effecting the new growth. You should see a difference within about 3 Months. Massaging your scalp helps, using the the "balls" of your fingers not the very tip,add some oil of rosemary adds to the massage benefit by stimulating the circulation even more, about 5 drops to a tablespoon of oil or conditioner.
Yep I'm still on a wack of medications, slowly decreasing my prozac and switching to effexor. So I know that those tips really made a difference for me.
Hope it helps,
Glamorous Gabbi-Gabbi
Posted by Rach on August 13, 2002, at 3:13:15
In reply to Re Thanks for the laugh » Lynn G., posted by Gabbi on August 12, 2002, at 22:33:18
Hi Lynn,
I don't have anything specific for you, probably just a story that may provide some hope to you.I was placed on zoloft (still taking it) and in the first 3 months I started loosing my hair from the follicles. I was stressing about it big time. I posted on here about it, and some people were nice enough to tell me that it happened to them, but eventually stopped once their body became accustomed to the med. Mine did stop too!
This may or may not happen for you, but it is something for you to think about and hope for.
All the best to you.
Rachael
Posted by Lynn G. on August 13, 2002, at 8:26:57
In reply to Re: Hair Meds, posted by Rach on August 13, 2002, at 3:13:15
Hi, thanks for your response. Has you hair grown back? HOw long have you been on meds?
Thanks
Posted by Lynn G. on August 13, 2002, at 8:29:44
In reply to Re: Hair Loss and Anti Depressants » Lynn G., posted by Gabbi on August 12, 2002, at 15:05:38
Hi,
What dose and what brand vitamins to you take and how much Flax oil? Where do you find the medication stripping products?
Thanks for all you help
Posted by Gabbi on August 13, 2002, at 16:52:49
In reply to Questions for Gabbi, posted by Lynn G. on August 13, 2002, at 8:29:44
No problem, Lynn I'm glad to help where I can, sometimes the posts that are so fearful and desperate need replies so badly but the words just don't flow from my fingertips the way other peoples can.
So, you can get the Chemical removing Shampoos from a hair salon, I've tried the cheaper "deep cleansing" shampoos from the drugstore, but they left my hair so dry it snapped off even more.
I personally recommend Redken Cream Cleanse shampoo, followed Joico Phine conditioner (which also reduces residue. They are more expensive but they are only used once a week.As for the B's they are one of the few vitamins where the brand isn't terribly important, make sure they don't contain yeast though.
100mgs of B.complex
Plus 100 mgs of extra B5 (pantothenic acid) (its good for stress and for hair)
2cc of additional b12 2x a week this one should be a sublingual or liquid, its very important and difficult for your body to absorb in pill form, it also helps with depression.
A health food store will usually have the
sublingual form.
Flax oil doesn't have to be the expensive kind from a health food store, most grocery stores carry it now, it should be in a dark bottle (light affects it) and cold pressed. I take about 2tbsp per day,Oh, also extra vit b6 50 mgs per day, its easy to find an fairly inexpensive.
as for the vit A and E, I use the Grocery store jamieson Anti-ox, it also contains vitamin C, and some helpful minerals.
I really hope it helps you
There are some other things that are reputed to help if you're interested let me know, but I've found this alone to be effective, and adding more can get really expensive.Gabbi :)
Posted by Lynn G. on August 13, 2002, at 22:15:20
In reply to Re: Questions for Gabbi » Lynn G., posted by Gabbi on August 13, 2002, at 16:52:49
THANKS!!! I was wondering about the rosemary oil...where do you get it and how do you use it??
I really appreciate your input. What a great resource you are!!
Posted by Gabbi on August 13, 2002, at 22:48:26
In reply to Re: Answers to Question, posted by Lynn G. on August 13, 2002, at 22:15:20
Funny thing about helping, I feel as good about being able too help as you seem to be being helped.
Rosemary oil, needs to be essential oil, specify (don't be fooled by shampoos or conditioners/w rosemary, they generally don't have enough in them.Usually health food stores have a rack of essential oils Rosemary is common so should be easily found and its also inexpensive. I use Aromaforce, but as long as it specifies undiluted essential oil on the lable it should be fine.
Just put a couple of drops in your hand or a small bowl and add a glob (how technical) of either conditioner or a carrier oil (olive works well, but not too much otherwise you'll have to shampoo 5X to get it out! Then you will curse me.
I don't know if you get fuzzy med head (that kind of clueless hungover feeling) if you do put a drop on your temples (away from your eyes} and wash your hands after otherwise you'll inevitably rub your eyes and it stings like h*** and then you will have to curse me again.
Adding peppermint pure essential oil, makes it even more refreshing but peppermint should not used straight just mix it with a little oil or lotion
w/rosemary and dab it on you're temples or forehead.Just so you know, I very carefully research everything, as well as judging from personal experience, some essential oils should never be used that haphazardly but those two are fine, unless you have very high blood pressure or epilepsy.
JUST REMEMBER TO WASH YOUR HANDS AFTER!!:) I know its sounds so basic, but trust me its no fun getting the oil in your eyes, on delicate areas and its quite a chore to rinse it out after you've done it.
I used to be responsible for planning and implementing nutritional and herbal remedies for the mentally challenged folks at my workplace. I had to be very careful about interactions w/meds. They worked so well I ended up having to do a seminar on it.
That wasn't to brag but to reassure you. There are a zillion health products that claim to work miracles, but these are the ones that had a noticable effect on me.I also apologize for my run-on sentences, I'm doing a medication switch over, and have lost my ability to be concise or to punctuate properly.
The herbs help a lot but unfortunately they can't cure that:(Really glad to be of help.
Gabbi the very Gabby
Posted by Lynn G. on August 15, 2002, at 23:05:08
In reply to Hair Loss and Anti Depressants, posted by Lynn G. on August 12, 2002, at 11:32:43
Gabbi,
Are the FLAX OIL Capsules just as effective...how many 1,000 mg capsules would I need to take to equal 2 teaspoons? I am looking forward to keeping you posted to my progress....I sure hope this will help subside the shedding.
Thanks
Bambi
Posted by Gabbi on August 16, 2002, at 14:13:29
In reply to Re: Hair Loss and Anti Depressants GABBI, posted by Lynn G. on August 15, 2002, at 23:05:08
Hey Kojak..
(just a little joke)Yes, the capsules are fine, in some ways more convenient because you can carry them around, and they stay fresh longer. Take them just as they say on the bottle, plus 1 extra "serving" for the first four weeks.
Also if you haven't had this done already, have your thyroid checked. Hypothyroidism can cause hairloss and depression.
And Please do keep me updated, there are some other things that have been known to help, I just haven't used them.
And don't forget about the satin pillowcase, often you can get them at the drugstore where the showercaps and things are.
I wonder if there is a support group for hair abandonment issues?
Gabbi Gabbi
Posted by Lynn G. on August 17, 2002, at 18:20:34
In reply to Re: Hair Loss and Anti Depressants GABBI » Lynn G., posted by Gabbi on August 16, 2002, at 14:13:29
Hi Gabbi,
Thank you so much for all your help. I have slept on a satin pillowcase since I was a young child. Helps with night tangling on young girls...My seven daughters all sleep on Satin Pillow cases.
I found all the vitamins...and the rosemary and peppermint oil. I have not been able to find the Redken product you mentioned. I found Redken merchandise but not a CREME. I will continue to search. I found some products that say they remove Chemical Deposits...would that be the same?
THanks for all your help.
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