Women Hair Loss Forums - To Hairsite or anyone regarding AD's

FREE!!! Hair Replacement Contest - UK, US, Canada, India
click here

Kirstie

11.10.2006, 13:36

To Hairsite or anyone regarding AD's (Anti-depressants & Hair Loss)
Post reply

Hi there:
I think I have put off going on an antidepressant for the past nine months because I didn't want to lose more hair, thought I could "kick" the depression with more natural things like St.John's Wort or GABA and with some anti-anxiety meds. But I have gotten to the point that I can't function anymore. I lost my job about a month ago and now have no desire to get out of bed and have tried sending out resumes but can barely get through the interviews. The hair loss I have been suffering from for the past year and a half has taken it's toll. I have tried acupuncture and massage therapy and although I feel good for about 15 minutes after each session, I start to feel bad again within an hour. At this point, I just don't care anymore about my hair (well of course I do but I rather feel "good" again). Seriously, it makes the hair loss situation worse to just feel down, depressed and hopeless. It's taking every effort just to leave my house now too or even pick up the phone and call a friend.
So I am going to take a stab at going on an anti-depressant. Does any side effect information show any AD that has a HIGHER incidence of hair loss? I know all can cause hair loss but wondered if any had a LOWER incidence of hair loss. My doctor wants me to go on either Lexapro or Wellbutrin. Again, I know hair loss has occurred in people with both. Maybe this is just trial and error but I was just hoping that someone had some knowledge of an antidepressant that has a lower occurence of hair loss.
Thanks for reading this and for letting me ramble. Boy, two years ago I would have never, ever thought I could feel this lousy mentally and physically. I am trying hard to find something to look forward to and I think it just might help feeling good again (hair or no hair).
Thank you!
Kirstie

Kirstie is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: YES

Jill

11.10.2006, 13:55

@ Kirstie
To Hairsite or anyone regarding AD's
Post reply

Hi Kirstie:

I've been wanting to try an AD because of hair-related anxiety, and have the same concerns you do. I've looked at all the different ADs on line, and found some have more references to hair loss than others, but that may because some are prescribed more often.

My doctor also likes Wellbutrin and Lexapro, but because I found those associated with hair loss most often on these boards, I asked for a different one. She gave me a script for Effexor.

Really, I think they all have a VERY LOW likelyhood of causing hair loss. When you think about it, a percentage of the population at any given time will experience hair loss, and A LOT of people are on ADs. In fact, as an experiment, I had a look at the PDR, which lists all medications and their side effects. (You can find one at a bookstore or the library.) I scanned medications randomly, and you wouldn't believe the number of meds that list hair loss as a side effect. (Even Motrin.)

I think most people will be fine using an AD for hair related anxiety. (Two therapists have told me that in all their years of prescribing, they have never heard a hair loss complaint from SSRIs. One did tell me that hair loss occurs with some frequency from other anti-depressants, specifically Depakote. When people complain of hair loss from Ad's, they may be on more than one at a time, and it's hard to tell which caused the problem.) That said, I've had my prescription for two weeks now and have been afraid to start.

Let me know what you decide.

Jill

Jill is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: YES

To Jill

13.10.2006, 07:26

@ Jill
To Hairsite or anyone regarding AD's
Post reply

Hi Jill:
Thanks so much for your response! It does sound like you have done a lot of research. So have you filled your prescription for the Effexor yet? :-) I think I have four or five prescriptions written by my doctors and have never filled them because I have been so nervous to try something. Have you heard anything about Cymbalta?

I am seeing a new doctor on new doctor on Monday and am going to either get a prescription for Effexor or maybe Cymbalta. I know that everyone is different and everyone reacts to drugs differently so I may or may not experience a bit of hair loss once starting. I am just to the point that I want to feel GOOD again.

Take care Jill and best to you!

Kirstie

� Hi Kirstie:
�
� I've been wanting to try an AD because of hair-related anxiety, and have
� the same concerns you do. I've looked at all the different ADs on line,
� and found some have more references to hair loss than others, but that may
� because some are prescribed more often.
�
� My doctor also likes Wellbutrin and Lexapro, but because I found those
� associated with hair loss most often on these boards, I asked for a
� different one. She gave me a script for Effexor.
�
� Really, I think they all have a VERY LOW likelyhood of causing hair loss.
� When you think about it, a percentage of the population at any given time
� will experience hair loss, and A LOT of people are on ADs. In fact, as an
� experiment, I had a look at the PDR, which lists all medications and their
� side effects. (You can find one at a bookstore or the library.) I
� scanned medications randomly, and you wouldn't believe the number of meds
� that list hair loss as a side effect. (Even Motrin.)
�
� I think most people will be fine using an AD for hair related anxiety.
� (Two therapists have told me that in all their years of prescribing, they
� have never heard a hair loss complaint from SSRIs. One did tell me that
� hair loss occurs with some frequency from other anti-depressants,
� specifically Depakote. When people complain of hair loss from Ad's, they
� may be on more than one at a time, and it's hard to tell which caused the
� problem.) That said, I've had my prescription for two weeks now and have
� been afraid to start.
�
� Let me know what you decide.
�
� Jill

To Jill is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: YES

Jill

13.10.2006, 16:26

@ To Jill
To Hairsite or anyone regarding AD's
Post reply

Hi Kirstie:

I haven't filled my prescription, but I have two sample packs. As of now, I plan to start after I see my doc this week, provided she gives me some reassurance. (Really, though, I don't know what more she can say. She's said she's prescribed hundreds of ADs and has NEVER heard of them causing a problem with hair. In fact, she has another patient who sees her, in part, for HAIR LOSS, and that woman is on Effexor! No problems!)

I looked into Cymbalta as well, and didn't find much as regards to hair loss, but I wonder if that's just because it's newer? I do think my doc would give it to me if I insisted, but she says it's mostly for patient with chronic pain; she has a few MS patients who take it.

Let me know what your doctor says. We do deserve to take whatever help we can get, and it would be nice to go a day or two without thinking about hair! (As I am now a hair expert, I notice all kinds of women with varying degrees of hair loss. Most appear to me to be perfectly normal, healthy women going about their lives. Also, plenty of women wear wigs and we don't ever know it. Sometimes I wish I waas living in my Grandmother's day when ALL the ladies wore wigs! My Grandma had on on her nightstand, and she had normal hair!)

Jill

Jill is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: YES

Kirstie 11.10.2006, 13:36	To Hairsite or anyone regarding AD's (Anti-depressants & Hair Loss) Post reply
	Hi there: I think I have put off going on an antidepressant for the past nine months because I didn't want to lose more hair, thought I could "kick" the depression with more natural things like St.John's Wort or GABA and with some anti-anxiety meds. But I have gotten to the point that I can't function anymore. I lost my job about a month ago and now have no desire to get out of bed and have tried sending out resumes but can barely get through the interviews. The hair loss I have been suffering from for the past year and a half has taken it's toll. I have tried acupuncture and massage therapy and although I feel good for about 15 minutes after each session, I start to feel bad again within an hour. At this point, I just don't care anymore about my hair (well of course I do but I rather feel "good" again). Seriously, it makes the hair loss situation worse to just feel down, depressed and hopeless. It's taking every effort just to leave my house now too or even pick up the phone and call a friend. So I am going to take a stab at going on an anti-depressant. Does any side effect information show any AD that has a HIGHER incidence of hair loss? I know all can cause hair loss but wondered if any had a LOWER incidence of hair loss. My doctor wants me to go on either Lexapro or Wellbutrin. Again, I know hair loss has occurred in people with both. Maybe this is just trial and error but I was just hoping that someone had some knowledge of an antidepressant that has a lower occurence of hair loss. Thanks for reading this and for letting me ramble. Boy, two years ago I would have never, ever thought I could feel this lousy mentally and physically. I am trying hard to find something to look forward to and I think it just might help feeling good again (hair or no hair). Thank you! Kirstie Kirstie is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: YES
Jill 11.10.2006, 13:55 @ Kirstie	To Hairsite or anyone regarding AD's Post reply
	Hi Kirstie: I've been wanting to try an AD because of hair-related anxiety, and have the same concerns you do. I've looked at all the different ADs on line, and found some have more references to hair loss than others, but that may because some are prescribed more often. My doctor also likes Wellbutrin and Lexapro, but because I found those associated with hair loss most often on these boards, I asked for a different one. She gave me a script for Effexor. Really, I think they all have a VERY LOW likelyhood of causing hair loss. When you think about it, a percentage of the population at any given time will experience hair loss, and A LOT of people are on ADs. In fact, as an experiment, I had a look at the PDR, which lists all medications and their side effects. (You can find one at a bookstore or the library.) I scanned medications randomly, and you wouldn't believe the number of meds that list hair loss as a side effect. (Even Motrin.) I think most people will be fine using an AD for hair related anxiety. (Two therapists have told me that in all their years of prescribing, they have never heard a hair loss complaint from SSRIs. One did tell me that hair loss occurs with some frequency from other anti-depressants, specifically Depakote. When people complain of hair loss from Ad's, they may be on more than one at a time, and it's hard to tell which caused the problem.) That said, I've had my prescription for two weeks now and have been afraid to start. Let me know what you decide. Jill Jill is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: YES
To Jill 13.10.2006, 07:26 @ Jill	To Hairsite or anyone regarding AD's Post reply
	Hi Jill: Thanks so much for your response! It does sound like you have done a lot of research. So have you filled your prescription for the Effexor yet? I think I have four or five prescriptions written by my doctors and have never filled them because I have been so nervous to try something. Have you heard anything about Cymbalta? I am seeing a new doctor on new doctor on Monday and am going to either get a prescription for Effexor or maybe Cymbalta. I know that everyone is different and everyone reacts to drugs differently so I may or may not experience a bit of hair loss once starting. I am just to the point that I want to feel GOOD again. Take care Jill and best to you! Kirstie � Hi Kirstie: � � I've been wanting to try an AD because of hair-related anxiety, and have � the same concerns you do. I've looked at all the different ADs on line, � and found some have more references to hair loss than others, but that may � because some are prescribed more often. � � My doctor also likes Wellbutrin and Lexapro, but because I found those � associated with hair loss most often on these boards, I asked for a � different one. She gave me a script for Effexor. � � Really, I think they all have a VERY LOW likelyhood of causing hair loss. � When you think about it, a percentage of the population at any given time � will experience hair loss, and A LOT of people are on ADs. In fact, as an � experiment, I had a look at the PDR, which lists all medications and their � side effects. (You can find one at a bookstore or the library.) I � scanned medications randomly, and you wouldn't believe the number of meds � that list hair loss as a side effect. (Even Motrin.) � � I think most people will be fine using an AD for hair related anxiety. � (Two therapists have told me that in all their years of prescribing, they � have never heard a hair loss complaint from SSRIs. One did tell me that � hair loss occurs with some frequency from other anti-depressants, � specifically Depakote. When people complain of hair loss from Ad's, they � may be on more than one at a time, and it's hard to tell which caused the � problem.) That said, I've had my prescription for two weeks now and have � been afraid to start. � � Let me know what you decide. � � Jill To Jill is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: YES
Jill 13.10.2006, 16:26 @ To Jill	To Hairsite or anyone regarding AD's Post reply
	Hi Kirstie: I haven't filled my prescription, but I have two sample packs. As of now, I plan to start after I see my doc this week, provided she gives me some reassurance. (Really, though, I don't know what more she can say. She's said she's prescribed hundreds of ADs and has NEVER heard of them causing a problem with hair. In fact, she has another patient who sees her, in part, for HAIR LOSS, and that woman is on Effexor! No problems!) I looked into Cymbalta as well, and didn't find much as regards to hair loss, but I wonder if that's just because it's newer? I do think my doc would give it to me if I insisted, but she says it's mostly for patient with chronic pain; she has a few MS patients who take it. Let me know what your doctor says. We do deserve to take whatever help we can get, and it would be nice to go a day or two without thinking about hair! (As I am now a hair expert, I notice all kinds of women with varying degrees of hair loss. Most appear to me to be perfectly normal, healthy women going about their lives. Also, plenty of women wear wigs and we don't ever know it. Sometimes I wish I waas living in my Grandmother's day when ALL the ladies wore wigs! My Grandma had on on her nightstand, and she had normal hair!) Jill Jill is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: YES