Hair Loss on Generic Lamictal, plus

[Cinnabar]

I've been taking the generic brand "Lamotrigene" rather the brand name "Lamictal". My long hair is falling out in strands. Is anyone experiencing the same side-effects? It's really bad.

Does anyone know if there is a co-payment for the trade mark "Lamictal"? or knows if youu have to pay full price (over $400.00...or a co-pay)?

My doctor recommended taking Selenium 100mg, Biotin with B combinataion and B-Complex. (These drugs are supposed to counter act this side effects. When I was taking Depakote: hair loss is a major side effectso my doctor, then, took me off it immediately and my hair was back to its radient self. Because, I have both Bi-Bolar and Temporal Lobe Epilepsy -Lamictal serves as a double duty drug. It's a very important factor in my med coctail

Help! I am a woman who used to have long, healthy, beauiful hair. Now, nothing but long strings. Stings fallinging everywhere, even getting caught up in my computer keys?

Another thing:
I admitt my diet lately hasn't been what it used to be. I've been in, I think unrealized depression, for sometime being mostly homebound. Yesterday, I went about town with an old friend (we've reconsiled a after a two years absence). Getting a good flow of oxegen, walking and getting fabulous visualualization was wonderful but by the time I got home I was never so exhausted .... so I realize I have to excercize at home, and despite the cold -get to walkingand eat what I used to. Nothing but healthy foods.

Does anyone know if Flaxseed Oil helps with hair loss?

I know I'm asking alot of questions and opening up about my life style, but if anyone could offer information or suggestions, I truly appreciate it. I miss my hair!

[skillefer]

Have you had your thyroid level checked lately? I had similar side effects when on depakote, but my neurologist said it wasn't the meds. Checked with my GP and he ran a throid screen. It came up fine. A nutritionist working in his office overheard my complaints of fatigue (I could drink 9 cups of coffe and still fall asleep standing up.) and hair loss, as well as cold hands and feet. She told me to take my body temp. first thing in the morning before getting out of bed. (put the thermometer under your armpit) Write down the temps for 5 days. Did it and called her with the results. She chuckled.... and said I was hypothyroid. A borderline case. Just low enough that I felt it, but not low enough for it to register on a basic screen. Now I'm on thyroid meds and doing fine. So ask your doc to check your thyroid levels. If your mom had gestational diabetes, there's a chance that could be the problem.

[seizures4ever]

Laurie,

I lost most of my hair on Depakote, but not Lamictal...I won't say it can never happen on Lamictal though. (I am too often in the rare or "unreported" side-effects myself...so I don't doubt this drug could cause hairloss). I'm a "NEVER SAY NEVER" type of person.

Were you doing o.k. on Lamictal before you switched to the generic? Or have you always been on the generic? If you did o.k. on the Name Brand, I seriously doubt that the change to generic would cause the dramatic hair loss. However, if you have experienced hair loss since being prescribed this drug (namebrand or not), you may want to discuss a possible med. change with your neurologist.

It is never an easy decision. When you change one drug, it throws your whole system out-of-whack.

As far as the selenium goes, I tried it, and it didn't help much. But it is worth a shot....also ask your GP to pull any blood level that could possibly contribute to hair loss or other symptoms. I did this one time and my doctor pulled seven viles of blood...we found out some interesting things about my particular health problem. It couldn't hurt to ask your dr., and what does he/she care anyway?...He's getting reimbursed by insurance.

Hope you feel better soon deary. I've been there.

-Julie

[Cinnabar]

Thanks Skillferer - I'll be going to GP for that thyroid check!

[Cinnabar]

Laurie,

I lost most of my hair on Depakote, but not Lamictal...I won't say it can never happen on Lamictal though. (I am too often in the rare or "unreported" side-effects myself...so I don't doubt this drug could cause hairloss. I'm a "NEVER SAY NEVER" type of person.

Were you doing o.k. on Lamictal before you switched to the generic? Or have you always been on the generic? If you did o.k. on the Name Brand, I seriously doubt that the change to generic would cause the dramatic hair loss. However, if you have experienced hair loss since being prescribed this drug (namebrand or not), you may want to discuss a possible med. change with your neurologist.

It is never an easy decision. When you change one drug, it throws your whole system out-of-whack.

As far as the selenium goes, I tried it, and it didn't help much. But it is worth a shot....also ask your GP to pull any blood level that could possibly contribute to hair loss or other symptoms. I did this one time and my doctor pulled seven viles of blood...we found out some interesting things about my particular health problem. It couldn't hurt to ask your dr., and what does he/she care anyway?...He's getting reimbursed by insurance.

Hope you feel better soon deary. I've been there.

-Julie

I'll be making an appt with my GP for blood work up and take Skillefers advice about looking into a possible thyroid problem. I really think being on the generic Lamictal has something to do with the loss. Now, that I'm back on name brand again...we'll see. I was so counting on Selenium to be of hep but I guess it all has to do with each of our chemical makeup.

[seizures4ever]

I forgot to add in my original post that I agree with Skillefer's advice too.

Also, I didn't explain myself very well regarding the bloodwork. When my doctor took the blood, he was looking for a "secondary" (less obvious) contributor to some of my health problems. Turned out I was anemic, with high urine protein, and my white blood cell count was off. (Obviously, that has nothing to do with your hairloss). But I was just saying to press your doctor to check the "less obvious" which may have had a domino affect and triggered your hairloss.

And you are right, selenium may help you. "Everybody's different."

My best to you sweetie as you struggle with this. May peace and answers find you soon. -Julie

[Cinnabar]

I forgot to add in my original post that I agree with Skillefer's advice too.

Also, I didn't explain myself very well regarding the bloodwork. When my doctor took the blood, he was looking for a "secondary" (less obvious) contributor to some of my health problems. Turned out I was anemic, with high urine protein, and my white blood cell count was off. (Obviously, that has nothing to do with your hairloss). But I was just saying to press your doctor to check the "less obvious" which may have had a domino affect and triggered your hairloss.

And you are right, selenium may help you. "Everybody's different."

My best to you sweetie as you struggle with this. May peace and answers find you soon. -Julie

I'll be making an appointment with my GP (whom I love and trust) and mention to look for secondary contributors.
Making a note in my book right now...

PS I do have Eptsein Bar Syndrom. I never had a second flair up but I have been unusally tired lately so I'll bring that matter up as well.

Thank you sooo much.

[chinchillachic18]

lamotrigine? Pretty sure that what its called cause i take it too.
and yah it makes my hair fall out :P but not too bad usually