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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 Random on December 30, 2003, at 19:12:36
Hi, I'm new here and I have a question concerning mood stabilizers, efficacy and side effects.
I was put on a combination of Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Lamactil and Risperdal because I've been diagnosed with Bipolar I with features of psychosis.
I quit taking the Risperdal because I don't like the way it makes me feel and I quit taking the Lamactil because I thought it was making my hair fall out. I've lost a lot of hair in a short period of time. I know this sounds silly - but I was also upset that I haven't been having my usually vivid dreams lately. I'm very fond of my dreams and I think I read somewhere that Lamactil can have an effect on that.
So the doctor just prescribed Topamax (he used the 'you'll lose weight' angle) today but from what I've been reading it sounds like I was better off on the Lamactil.
My doctor suggested that my hair has been falling out due to stress. Has anyone else experienced hair loss on Lamactil? Dreaming?
Posted by girl1969 on December 31, 2003, at 8:41:10
In reply to Lamactil vs. Topamax for Bipolar Disorder, posted by Random on December 30, 2003, at 19:12:36
Random,
Welcome to the board.
I am Bipolar 1 and have been worked up to 400 mgs of lamictil over the past months. I have experienced no hair loss, which I did experience on Depakote.
I tried Topamax for a short while last year with awful results. I became very irritable and almost combative. I had to stop for these reasons. I never lost any weight.
I don't know if the lamictil could be making your hair fall out. Sometimes stress has that effect.
I know how disturbing it can be to see all that hair coming out. My doctor says he has never seen anyone go completely bald due to a medication, so that's heartening. Hopefully, this will stop at some point for you.I had trouble with lamictal while I was working up to a therapeutic level, but now I feel very good. You may want to give it another shot.
Take care and best of luck.
Girl
Posted by Emme on December 31, 2003, at 17:25:28
In reply to Lamactil vs. Topamax for Bipolar Disorder, posted by Random on December 30, 2003, at 19:12:36
I'm sure you'll get anecdotal answers here that might be helpful. A dermatologist told me any of the anticonvulsants can potentially cause hair loss. A neurologist friend of mine did a little digging for info and said that she didn't find anything about hair loss mentioned with Lamictal and thought that the risk might be minimal. My (unprofessional) take on it is that it's probably possible, but that Lamictal is not so notorious for hair loss as other AEDs.
I didn't see anything about hair loss mentioned with tripleptal and I swear I was seeing more hair come out. But it's all very subjective and hard to figure out what's causing what sometimes. My hair seems a wee bit thinner since hitting a high dose of Lamictal. But then it's autumn and people typically shed more hair during the fall.
Have other source of hair loss been checked out? Thyroid? Anemia? etc. Check with your GP or a dermatologist.
Good luck.
Emme
Posted by Karen_kay on January 4, 2004, at 0:33:52
In reply to Re: Lamactil vs. Topamax for Bipolar Disorder » Random, posted by Emme on December 31, 2003, at 17:25:28
Quite a while back my Pdoc suggested putting me on depakote. I laughed at him and simply said, "Well sir, that may cause my hair to fall out. I'll have none of that." He informed me that he could write me a prescription for something (I don't know what??) that would counteract that. I did take Lamictal for a while but didn't notice, rather was too depressed to care if I lost my hair.
There is a post higher up that talks about Topamax. It's an anticonvulsant (which I use for a dx of Bipolar disorder and it's my WONDER DRUG!!!) but headache queen talks about some different vitamins she uses to counteract thinning and potential loss of hair. If you feel like scrolling through various posts, it may be worth your time.....
I don't know how to find the link or I would.. Let me see if I can try... Cross your fingers and wish me luck :)
Posted by Karen_kay on January 4, 2004, at 0:40:24
In reply to Re: Lamactil vs. Topamax for Bipolar Disorder, posted by Karen_kay on January 4, 2004, at 0:33:52
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031225/msgs/294932.html
Now, did I do it right?
This is the end of the thread.
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