Topa HAIR LOSS??! :(

[mombytheocean]

Thanks EK,

Good luck with the mods and the hair!! My hair is finally starting to come back after the birth of my second daughter (who is now 4) and the whole hair loss thing is starting to freak me out. Maybe I am anticipating problems -- anyway, would love to try and topa, but don't know how I will deal the side effects.

[Saint Jude]

I was on topa for just over a year, @ 100mg a day. I quit taking it about 3 weeks ago, because of hair loss. I'm also taking selenium, biotin,and a vitamineral green supp. Haven't noticed a difference yet since I quit taking topa... but hoping my hair will get back to it's healthier, thicker stage.

Best of luck. This does suck though.

[mombytheocean]

Hi Saint Jude,

How long were you on Topa when you noticed your hair loss? Was it a significant amount? It does suck. Good luck on your regrowth.

[EK]

Hey Saint Jude, tell me, how bad is your hair thinning from the topa? Just a little, or did people comment/stare like they do at my head? Can you tell your pony tail is half the size or some measure like that?

The reason I ask is this: I was not only 2 weeks into Topa when it suddenly seemed like my Merrill Streep was turning very Dr Phil: I was also 2.5 weeks into being laid off, ie, my job was eliminated and I saw visions of the foreclosure man dancing through my apparently fickle follicles.

One would hope all the folic acid, fish oils, biotin, vits, etc I had been dosing on, would help me avoid the shock-shed effect, but maybe between the shock and the topa, it was a matchpoint - its hard to say. I hope and hope and hope but still, I become almost bald. My scalp is half full. It's difficult to be optimistic about that.

I'm trying to judge just how much was shock and how much was topa. I feel both are to blame. I've had some thinning as a result of a similar shock some 10 years ago, but nothing nearly this scalp exposing. That grew back ... but I'd like to take the topa.

Also, can you tell me, you said you were on the topa longer term. do you feel you still need it, or was the year long enough? Is it worth it? It's a big trade off but if you get your life back, it's worth being bald for a while. Since I'm already there, I guess I could just haltingly do it. It feels like dragging a mule though, to pop a topa given the hair situation, after all I've been doing to grow hair.

Sorry to go on and on.... thanks for your advice and sharing.

EK

[EK]

Hi again, from RJ MWO Leader, some good news for us:

Hello! Just wanted to let you know I posted something recently on my blog regarding hair loss, as it's come up before. I know how upsetting it can be.

I'm not sure the information I've posted will be helpful, but I thought you may want to take a look. We try to keep up with the latest developments in all areas. You'll find the article here: www.mywayout.org/blog .

Feel free to share on the board if you think others would find it useful.

So you know, I experienced hair thinning when I rist started taking Topamax and it did eventually go away. No fun while it fell out, though! I think it takes a while for our bodies to adjust to the medication.

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So, what I'm hearing is the hair loss goes away. Saint Jude, you didn't experience that it seems. I guess we all react differently. It's got to be a choice between hair and balance. Maybe the hair loss is temporary. Saint Jude, please post in 3-6 months when you see your hair recover. I'd advise using Rogaine to ensure it does. Also, you can ask your Dr for aldactone 75 or more mg may help.

[Saint Jude]

Thanks for the info EK.
I've always had pretty healthy long hair, but noticed it getting thinner about 4 or 5 months ago, after being on topa for just over a year.

I have as much hair in one braid ,( total )... as I used to have in half of my hair being braided.
It's a significant amount. Don't think anyone else has noticed, but it really bothers me.

[EK]

Well, congrats that you have no scalp shining through, even though you lost half your hair, you must have an impressive head of hair! Let us know if it gets thicker in the coming months, please, we're all dying to know and for your sake, I hope and pray it does.

[Saint Jude]

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