Please tell me that the side effects of Topomax is reversible..I have been on this medication for 7 + years for seizures. I recently noticed that my hair is thinning terribly, and the numbness/tingling has increased. As of yesterday my neurologist has decreased the medication from 400mg/day to 300mg/day. Has anyone out there experienced hair thinning or hair loss from the medication. I am devastated because the confusion, unable to concentrate, or understand are coming from the medication. I am about to discontinue the medication without the approval of the Doctor. So please someone out there tell me what I should do. I am 39 years old, and very depressed because my hair is my pride & joy. Are these side effects reversible @ all.
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Q: Taking Topomax for Seizures..hair thinning. Anyone experiencing this side effect! please let me know
Answers (2)
10/29/09 12:23pm
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Most of the potential side effects are indeed reversible. The only one I know of that isn't is the rare cases where it's caused glaucoma. When I tried it for Migraine prevention, I had horrid cognitive side effects too. A few weeks after I took my last dose, those side effects were completely gone.
Please DON'T stop taking Topamax on your own. Stopping it suddenly can cause your seizures to be worse. You need to discontinue it slowly, under a doctor's supervision, and you probably need a medication to take its place for your seizures. OK?
Please keep us posted?
Welcome again,
Teri
10/26/10 11:18am
My psychiatrist told me that topamax causes hair thinning and it does not stop til you quit the drug-- I was on it and lost alot of hair- I am off it and happy to report the hair does come back and the texture does come back--I take selenium, zinc, and biotin along with fish oil at the doctor and my hairdresser's urging-- it works-- please don't be depressed-- could you ask for another med that is not an anti-convulsant??-- as I have been told by him that almost all if not all will cause this if you have taken one and it causes it...best of luck to you and everyone on here understands what you are going through
10/26/10 4:12pm
Thanks a lot!!! This comment couldn't have come @ better time. I was sitting here on the couch about to take a nap because I went this morning @ 8:30 am to have an EEG & had to be up @ 4:00 am until the appt time. So I'm really exhausted, and still distressed about the condition of my hair because it's still thin, and the grade of my hair is horrible. My stylist told me that goin through menopause is a cause as well. I was forced into menopause because of the early total abd hysterectomy @ the age of 28, but I've dealt with that but I didnt know this would eventually have an affect on my hair. Menopause, Medications, what else??? I have to take the Topamax for my Seizure Disorder, but I am taking Biotin 1000, Multi-Vitamin, Calcium+D, FOsomax for Osteoporosis. I will check on Friday with my primary doctor to see if im taking enough of the Biotin and if i can take the selenium and zinc. Thank you kindly for responding to my comment. I feel happy!!! It came right on time!!!
10/27/10 11:27am
I am so glad you are happier now and that I responded because I know how terrible and soooo scary this is. If you want to inquire about fish oil, that made some difference too, but the real difference was opting out of the topamax nightmare. Of course, my condition is not the same and I would never just quit any med without my doc's approval. Some people don't have the option of selecting another med.. menopause and stress, I am sure can cause hair thinning--but those of us who have experienced the side effect from the med know there is a difference! Your hair literally "wigs out"
and is nothing like it was before. Weigh your odds--my dr said trileptal is the least likely to cause hair thinning.... just a thought. Good thoughts are coming your way..
10/27/10 2:18pm
I use to take Fish Oil without mercury, but stopped. I will def start that again!!! I was told by the eye doctor that this was good for the eyes as well. SO i have a doctor's appt Friday, & will def let you know what he says when i mention all the above to him. To see if Im taking enought Biotin...maybe I need to increase the amount I take per day. One bottle says 1 tab daily, & the other bottle says 1-5 tabs daily...now tell me how that's possible that I purchased the same product and both bottles give different directions...lol Thanks for your concern & input! Talk to you soon
10/27/10 2:26pm
I take 5 biotin tablets a day---
10/27/10 6:37pm
o ok!!! i need to increase my intake!!! isn't that crazy that i purchased both bottles @ the same time, and the directions are different. Same manufacturer & same product code, just a little funny to me. I will check with the dr on friday before increasing the Biotin even though it's only 1000 mcg. Thanks a bunck and have a wonderful wonderful evening.
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Thank you for answering my question, and my vision also changed!!! I was diagnosed with nearsightedness. I was tested for cataracts & glaucoma, but tested negative. I'm just deathly afraid of the changes my body is going through. I went to my primary doctor today to confirm that my hair has thinned, but she also stated that I am not on any hormone therapy, and this is a big factor. I had a total abdominal hysterectomy at the age of 28 and was taking premarin 0.625 orally, and then taken off at the age of 35 due to smoking. Now i dont take anything at all, but today i was given another form of premarin (premarin cream). This still isnt going to be enough to help my hair. This issue along with the Topamax...I dont stand a chance with my hair :( I'm just sitting here losing it, and feeling very depressed!!!