Hi...i have read MWO and am excited to start the program. Ordered the topomax and am waiting for it to come. In the meantime, I have been online researching topomax and found a site that had reader after reader write about their hair falling out in clumps and they can now see their scalp. Many were using it for migraine treatment. Has anyone here experienced this side effect and were you able to control it? Many questioned that they lost the hair b/c of the weight loss, but many thought it was the drug alone. Having my hair fall out is not an option for me....so I would appreciate any feedback. Thank you:new:
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Topomax and hair loss
Welcome Scorpygal.
People who take Topamax for migraines or seizures tend to take higher doses than those who take it to mediate craving for alcohol.
My dosage for the last two months has been 50mg per day in two separate 25mg pills at the start and end of the day as directed by my doctor who is an addiction specialist. I am 6 feet tall and 190 pounds so I'm not exactly small either.
Hair loss is not an option for me and I have not experienced any, I have very mild side effects because my doses is quite low. It has definitely helped reduce cravings, but its important to note that its done this in the context of me really deciding not to drink.
I strongly suggest you take Topamax as part of a programme with an addiction specialist - self medication and increasing doses to up to or over 100mg is not a good idea.
Remember Topamax is really there to help with cravings and its important you do other things at the same time in a coordinated manner. I would suggest:
- you look at reasons for stopping drinking (write them down)
- make some short term non drinking goals (I will not drink for the next five days)
- put yourself out of harms way (I will not go to that party)
- make medium term goals, start exercising, adjust your diet etc etc
The Topamax will take two to three weeks to start to work and will not be a sudden switch that happens over night when it does, manage your expectations carefully. For me Topamax was something I became aware of working, and now just accept is there in the background helping out as I change my habits and life.
But most of all if you really want to improve your chances of success consult an addiction specialist who is also medical doctor. Its definitely worth doing, I've paid for mine out of my pocket but it accelerated everything I did and I have:
- been happily booze free for about two months
- lost a lot of weight (through diet and exercise not Topamax)
- returned my liver function to normal
- saved lots of money from not spending it on booze
- got a lot happier because 20+ years of heavy drinking makes you unhappy
- and will stop my Topamax in four weeks because I've made meaningful changes in lifestyle
Good luck with everything, I'm sure you will get plenty of help and support from people on these boards.My sobriety blog http://drfeelgood.wordpress.com/ -
Topomax and hair loss
Thank you Arrow for your answer. Sounds like you are having a ton of success. I will take your advice.Comment
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Topomax and hair loss
Don't want to scare you away from a drug that does reduce cravings. However, I only took Topa for about 2 weeks. My hair started coming out in more than normal amounts. I just couldn't hand the Topa Dopa and I thought it acted as a diruetic. Weight loss for me seemed due to water loss. Sorry, I'm sure others will chime in about hair loss. All I can say is it happens in some and not others, so I don't know why. I currently take Baclofen, with minor side effects. Good Luck
Everything I need is within me!Comment
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Topomax and hair loss
hair loss
What dosage were you taking of the topamax over the two weeks? the starting dosage? Once you got off of it, did your hair stop falling out?Comment
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Topomax and hair loss
Yes, the starting dosage. Can't remember exactly what it was now. I do remember that my hair kept falling out for about 6 weeks. Others have had similar experiences. Then again, some don't experience it at all. Just make sure you do all the research you can before taking anything so you know what to expect.
Everything I need is within me!Comment
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Topomax and hair loss
thanks....i am confused as to what to do....think i can handle every side effect but that one....if it's a few hairs in the shower, ok...but to have my scalp appear and/or have bald spots, it would really hurt my self esteem. the book really minimizes that side effect, although it is mentioned. I have researched and researched and i am really praying about whether to take the topomax (which arrived in the mail today). Agghhhhhh!
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Topomax and hair loss
topo after several weeks
I've been taking topo for about five weeks and haven't had any hair issues at all. Other side effects, yes, but not hair loss. I think the MWO book understates the side effects but I did find that the supplements and the hypno cds helped. I wouldn't skip them if you're able to order them. I made it to 100 mg but didn't take it further and have now cut back to two 25 mg 2x a day (50 total). (Thanks Arrow.) The book titrates up to 300mg over 12 weeks. I don't think there's any way I could have tolerated that. My approach now is to see if 50 mg handles the cravings well enough to give it a shot until it's time to re-order or change my approach.
Good luck to you. I'd love to hear how it goes.Comment
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Topomax and hair loss
what other side effects have you had? I think that if i try it i will stay at 50mg/day to see if that will work. Have you had positive effects too? Lose any weight? did you take just the supplements in the book or did you add the supplements to counterract the hair loss too?
thanks for responding....Comment
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Topomax and hair loss
Side effects have included a weird kind of jumpiness/anxiety, like I want to jump out of my skin, headache, and that dopiness that's very common - but not so bad that it affected me at work. Also difficulty sleeping but not sure I can blame that entirely on topomax since I often have problems staying asleep.
Worst is that I didn't feel like myself. Felt very sad, again complicated by the fact that my oldest is leaving for college and I'm really going to miss her. Anyway...
I do think it has reduced some of the craving so I'm going to stay with it for awhile. Sadly, no weight loss. Not yet, despite not feeling so great - kind of a sea sickness feeling. But then I'm the kind of person who can eat her way through the worst flu. My appetite is the last to go.
I've only taken the supplements in the book and the ones suggested when they ship you the supplements (new stuff since the book came out). Nothing for hair loss.
Hope this helps!Comment
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Topomax and hair loss
I dont think the weight loss aspect of Topamax is through a reduction in appetite. Actually I believe that we're talking about reduction of fat in the liver - which is rather nice considering. So it is a sort of anti foie gras effect!
This link gives you some good details about side effects:
Topamax Side Effects
Note that a lot of the side effects are reported by less that 15% of the sample and that the levels at which these people would have reported them would often have been quite sensitive. Remember getting FDA approval is hard.
Best thing to do is always consult a doctor (sorry to sound like a broken record!)
GG - good luck with the 50mg per day!My sobriety blog http://drfeelgood.wordpress.com/Comment
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