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I have recently stopped taking lithum and topamax to treat ...

Sent to Health Experts December 06, 2007 8:54 a.m.

I have recently stopped taking lithum and topamax to treat bipolar. In addition I have stopped taking my birth control yaz. (All about 1 month ago) I have been experiencing hair loss that last 2 weeks. Does stopping all these meds have anything to do with this?

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Female, Age: 34, United States

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Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Status: Closed Value: $9

Answer
December 06, 2007 9:07 a.m. (12 minutes and 54 seconds later)

REPLIED

Hello,

Thank you for your question.

Lithium while you are on it can cause hair dryness and loss.

Yaz can cause your hair to be dry.

Topamax does not effect hair.

What can cause hair loss is stress to the body.

If you have suddenly went off everything and were not weaned off that could cause enough stress to your body to cause hair loss.

Are you on other bipolar meds?

It is important not to go off meds suddenly or without a doctors ok.( Not that you didn't have).

Stress can cause a decrease in B-vitamins which can cause hair loss.

I urge you to talk to you doctor.

It would be good to be tested for a vitamin deficiency.

Best wishes,

Macy

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Reply to Macy RN
Sent December 06, 2007 10:15 a.m. (1 hour and 7 minutes later)

I did stop suddenly without Dr. advice. I was taking 11 pills at one time!! I never was conviced anyway that bipolar was the correct diagnosis.

Anyway, is this hairloss temporary? Should I take a Vitamin B supplement. I am not to crazy about getting blood work done to extra dr. bill expense.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Answer
December 06, 2007 1:58 p.m. (3 hours and 43 minutes later)

ACCEPTED

Hi Customer (name blocked for privacy),

The hairloss should be only temporary.

Some people find results with just taking a multivitamin with b-vitamins.

How are you feeling otherwise after going off the medicine?

~Macy

__________________
Please ACCEPT and leave POSITIVE FEEDBACK so I may get credit for my work.
A BONUS is so appreciated!!!

Macy RN -- Nurse (RN) -- 100% Positive Feedback on 694 Health Accepts
RN of 17years.Experienced in ER, Critical Care, Surgery, Nutrition, Peds,OB/Gyn.

Reply to Macy RN
Sent December 06, 2007 3:29 p.m. (1 hour and 30 minutes later)

I don't feel any different. The lithium levels from my blood work up were not even at therapeutic levels both times I was checked. The topomax just made me drowsy.

Thank for your feedback. You have made me feel a lot better.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

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