GettingThere
October 1st, 2012, 07:16 PM
Ok so a little background...I have chronic migraines that I have battled for YEARS. It got to the point that I was having a migraine about 4-5 days a week and a severe (put me in bed and prevent me from doing normal things) migraine about 1-2 times a week. I would treat them with OTC meds, decongestants, prescription meds, the triptans (imitrex, etc) but nothing would completely relieve them. Then about a 11 months ago I started taking topiramate (generic Topamax). I gradually worked up to 100mg once a day and it is working like a CHARM! I very, very rarely have a headache at all. I'm talking about 1 every 2-3 MONTHS now and when I get them I can take ibuprofen and have them go away. It is amazing for someone who has had migraines for all of her adult life;)
I have also lost 40 pounds so far over the last 3 months or so. I think some of it is from the topiramate (one of the "side effects" is weight loss) although I have made a ton of healthy lifestyle changes (healthier diet, more exercise, no longer drink sweetened liquids, smaller portions, etc). My diet is COMPLETELY different now than it was 3-4 months ago. I take magnesium and vitamin D supplements every night with my topiramate. Other than that I do not take any vitamins or other medications.
Now, my problem is (if you read this far...:() that I am losing more hair than normal. I am one of those odd folks that knows I used to lose about 30-40 hairs in the morning when I washed my hair. This includes combing before hand, in the shower and detangling again afterwards. I realize this is nowhere near the 100 hairs a day that is considered "normal". I also used to always get comments on how "thick" my hair was...from hairdressers, friends, etc. I have gradually noticed that I am losing more hair in the mornings. I *think* it started about 2-3 months ago. I now am losing 70-80 hairs in the mornings. My hair "feels" thinner to me...my ponytail feels thinner, my buns feel smaller and it seems to not take as much "strain" on my clips and clamps to hold them up. I cannot see scalp and I definately do not have any bald spots or anything like that.
Now, in reading I have seen Topiramate linked to hair loss (specifically telogen effluvium). The incidence reported online seems to be higher than the 5% the drug company reports. And I have been on this drug for 8-9 months BEFORE I noticed any changes in my shedding. I have also read that sudden, significant (>20 pounds) of weight loss can also cause increased shed. So I am at a loss. The drug works so well for my migraines that I hesitate to go off it unless I am *sure* it is the culprit. And I noticed the increased shedding and thinning about the same time the weight loss started. But I'm not sure if the shed will start that quickly with weight loss????? I also wander if some of the reported hair loss with topiramate on the internet is actually linked to the weight loss these same people have. I am just so confused!
Anyone have any experience with any of this? Any advice?? I plan to start taking biotin and BComplex just to be on the safe side.
I have also lost 40 pounds so far over the last 3 months or so. I think some of it is from the topiramate (one of the "side effects" is weight loss) although I have made a ton of healthy lifestyle changes (healthier diet, more exercise, no longer drink sweetened liquids, smaller portions, etc). My diet is COMPLETELY different now than it was 3-4 months ago. I take magnesium and vitamin D supplements every night with my topiramate. Other than that I do not take any vitamins or other medications.
Now, my problem is (if you read this far...:() that I am losing more hair than normal. I am one of those odd folks that knows I used to lose about 30-40 hairs in the morning when I washed my hair. This includes combing before hand, in the shower and detangling again afterwards. I realize this is nowhere near the 100 hairs a day that is considered "normal". I also used to always get comments on how "thick" my hair was...from hairdressers, friends, etc. I have gradually noticed that I am losing more hair in the mornings. I *think* it started about 2-3 months ago. I now am losing 70-80 hairs in the mornings. My hair "feels" thinner to me...my ponytail feels thinner, my buns feel smaller and it seems to not take as much "strain" on my clips and clamps to hold them up. I cannot see scalp and I definately do not have any bald spots or anything like that.
Now, in reading I have seen Topiramate linked to hair loss (specifically telogen effluvium). The incidence reported online seems to be higher than the 5% the drug company reports. And I have been on this drug for 8-9 months BEFORE I noticed any changes in my shedding. I have also read that sudden, significant (>20 pounds) of weight loss can also cause increased shed. So I am at a loss. The drug works so well for my migraines that I hesitate to go off it unless I am *sure* it is the culprit. And I noticed the increased shedding and thinning about the same time the weight loss started. But I'm not sure if the shed will start that quickly with weight loss????? I also wander if some of the reported hair loss with topiramate on the internet is actually linked to the weight loss these same people have. I am just so confused!
Anyone have any experience with any of this? Any advice?? I plan to start taking biotin and BComplex just to be on the safe side.