Hair loss

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Dirt_in_the_ground

Dirt_in_the_ground

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I have an appointment with my neurologist tomorrow but I wanted to ask here first.

My meds were changed.I was on Epilim Ententric,Zonegran and Frisium.
The Epilim wasn't doing anything (as I told him it wouldn't) and he changed me onto Vimpat.
I'm on 50mg of Vimpat twice a day,100mg of Zonegran a day and 10 mg of Frisium a day,and of course the folic acid.

Anyway I notice as I was changing from Epilim to Vimpat that my hair was falling out in small amounts.I didn't take any notice of it as it looked like the normal amount you lose in a day.

But I have very short hair and when I go for a shower now it's like a ball of hair coming off of my head.I saved the last one because I want to show him the amount that came off in one shower.
Then when I towel dried my hair more came off,and my pillow is covered in hair.

I've looked up the side effects on all of these medications and none of the side effects listed say anything about hair loss.

So has anyone had this experience with this medication?
I would really appreciate any advice.

-Helen x
 
While I am not familiar with the meds you take, I have heard that epilepsy meds can interfere with hair growth. I have also read it on other posts here as well.

lavatera
 
It seems like all of the AEDs can potentially cause hair loss. I had that issue as I was transitioning off Zonegran onto Lamictal, and I think both meds may have played a role.

Vimpat is relatively new, so hair loss (and other side effects) may not yet be widely reported. Hair loss is mentioned by one patient here: http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=22254&name=VIMPAT
 
I've been taken off the vimpat and they said it gave them the chance to report the side effect to the rep of the drug company to urge them to add it to the list of side effects.

I brought the hair from my last shower in with me to my appointment to show them how much hair I was losing.
 
Oh, my goodness! Yikes! You would think they would know the side effects, but if it is a new drug, I guess not so much, and to think my neurologist wants me to switch meds, as mine are old meds, and not prescribed as frontline meds for epilepsy anymore. I pray that they find something good for you without those side effects.

lavatera
 
Hi Helen,

Lovely to see someone else from Ireland on here!

I reduced Lamictal during the summer and quite a bit of hair fell out - my husband really noticed when hoovering. Approx 10 yrs ago when changing from epilim to lamictal, alot of hair fell out also, but I didn't associate it with the change in med at the time.

Best of luck with the change-over, I hope it works,

Eibhlin
 
I bought some Head and Shoulders which has made my hair fuller but I'm still balding
 
lavatera said:
Oh, my goodness! Yikes! You would think they would know the side effects, but if it is a new drug, I guess not so much, and to think my neurologist wants me to switch meds, as mine are old meds, and not prescribed as frontline meds for epilepsy anymore. I pray that they find something good for you without those side effects.

lavatera
Click to expand...

mine aren't 'newer' meds either
I tried Keppra and that s*it blew my mind
I'm a little wary of altering things now - but at this point I think it needs to happen
 
I had the same problem with Keppra petox1970.

There's been no new medications introduced thank gods.My hair is continuing to fall out as I'm coming off of the vimpat but until it's out of my system completely,then I hope my hair will start to thicken up.
I've started to develop bald patches.....I just look awful.
Even if I run my fingers through my hair gently chunks of hair come out.
 
My hair loss was with Keppra. Now that I've stopped taking it, I'm not seeing a large loss of it. I still pay attention however because all of the AEDs will cause this problem in my opinion.
 
Lamtical did it to me and now keppra is too...I think it comes with the package.
 
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