Hair Falling Out - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

redtoenails · 08-04-2008, 12:18 PM

My hair is falling out due to depakote. I am so afraid of losing my hair but no one seems to understand my fear. My T yelled at me for wanting to go of my meds and my pdoc just ordered more tests. I decided to stay on my meds but every time I find more hair I feel like throwing up. I don't want to explain to people why I have no hair. I am very private about having bipolar and don't want to draw more attention to myself then my tremors already do (lithium).

redtoenails

seaturtle · 08-04-2008, 09:02 PM

Hi,

I can understand how painful that is. It is possible that you talk to your helping people and plead for a med change? I don't see where more tests are going to show anything, if it's the Depakote causing this.

How long have you been on the Depakote? Is this maybe a side effect that might go away?

I have no idea about this; these things just occurred to me. I am sure others here with experience on Depakote will respond to you, and I'm sorry you're going through this.

I can't help but think there might be other meds, though, without this side effect.

missflip · 08-06-2008, 07:05 PM

Hey. I had the same thing happen to me when I was on Depakote. I had thick long hair and it fell out badly. I had to cut it really short because it got so thin and stringy. I finally got off the Depakote because it really wasn't helping me after a year. My hair grew back to its thickness and curly too. It has taken me three years to get it back to the length that it was. So I understand what you are going through. I cried when my hair got so thin and was falling out in clumps. It depressed me even more. But I also wanted to get better and wanted to see if the Depakote would help me. But it didn't. Anyway, I totally understand what you are going through. Don't fear though, if you come off Depakote, it will grow back to normal.

Stay strong.
Missflip

katlin09 · 08-07-2008, 06:56 AM

I've had that problem, but due to other medication combinations, but I have found something that works. I use Rogaine for women, you can get it at any chain pharmacy, and their is even a generic form that my dermatologist says is basically the same. I've used it for a while, and the last time I went to my hair stylist she said my hair was tons better and their was lots of new growth. It takes about 2 - 3 months of use before the hair stops falling out completely (or for whats normal).

Omi2008 · 08-07-2008, 10:02 AM

But don't go on Topomax because my hair is falling out on Topomax. (100mg twice a day). No one seems the least bit concerned. But my hair is falling out.