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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Marie83 on September 12, 2008, at 11:57:30
Hi everyone,
I'm at a loss of what to do. Wellbutrin has helped me in a way that I don't think most AD's can. It's helping me come out of a horrible depressive episode and I like the fact that it energizes me doesn't cause weight gain. Unfortunately, I've been losing larger amounts of hair than usual since starting it and am afraid of going bald! My questions are as follows:
1. Is this a transient side effect? Will my hair stop falling out once my body has adjusted to the medication?
2. Is there a way for me to combat the hair loss while remaining on the Wellbutrin? I'm currently taking zinc, selenium, biotin, a multi vitamin and recently added iron. Is there anything else I can add? What about shampoos? Anyone had any miracles with those?
I desperately would like to remain on this medication. Please tell me there's hope! Thanks for any input that you may have.
Posted by JayMac on September 12, 2008, at 12:11:17
In reply to Love Wellbutrin, but scared of HAIR LOSS!, posted by Marie83 on September 12, 2008, at 11:57:30
> Hi everyone,
>
> I'm at a loss of what to do. Wellbutrin has helped me in a way that I don't think most AD's can. It's helping me come out of a horrible depressive episode and I like the fact that it energizes me doesn't cause weight gain. Unfortunately, I've been losing larger amounts of hair than usual since starting it and am afraid of going bald! My questions are as follows:
>
> 1. Is this a transient side effect? Will my hair stop falling out once my body has adjusted to the medication?
>
> 2. Is there a way for me to combat the hair loss while remaining on the Wellbutrin? I'm currently taking zinc, selenium, biotin, a multi vitamin and recently added iron. Is there anything else I can add? What about shampoos? Anyone had any miracles with those?
>
> I desperately would like to remain on this medication. Please tell me there's hope! Thanks for any input that you may have.Hi Marie,
I haven't heard or read that hair loss is a side effect of wellbutrin. Have you told your pdoc about your experience? He/she may have some recommendations for you.
The hair loss could be a result of something else.Jay
Posted by JayMac on September 12, 2008, at 12:14:47
In reply to Love Wellbutrin, but scared of HAIR LOSS!, posted by Marie83 on September 12, 2008, at 11:57:30
I almost forgot to tell you:
Welcome to Babble!!! =) I hope you can find additional support here. I encourage you to check out the other boards as well. Good to have you!
Take Care,
Jay
Posted by Phillipa on September 12, 2008, at 13:01:42
In reply to Re: Love Wellbutrin, but scared of HAIR LOSS!, posted by JayMac on September 12, 2008, at 12:14:47
Yes welcome to babble haven't heard that about wellbutrin either. Is your thyroid okay as if it's off that can cause hair loss. And hormones. Depending on age. Love Phillipa
Posted by Marie83 on September 12, 2008, at 13:30:51
In reply to Re: Love Wellbutrin, but scared of HAIR LOSS!, posted by Phillipa on September 12, 2008, at 13:01:42
Hi, thanks for the welcome.
I had my TSH checked shortly before going on the Wellbutrin and the values were fine. I have heard about TSH levels being an insufficient indicator though, so maybe I should look into further testing...
The reason I'm leaning towards it being the Wellbutrin is because I've never had this issue before and because it started shortly after I started the Wellbutrin. I know it's a very uncommon side effect, but I have found a lot of posts from folks online about having this happen and and it made me concerned.
Posted by JayMac on September 12, 2008, at 13:40:41
In reply to Re: Love Wellbutrin, but scared of HAIR LOSS!, posted by Marie83 on September 12, 2008, at 13:30:51
> Hi, thanks for the welcome.
>
> I had my TSH checked shortly before going on the Wellbutrin and the values were fine. I have heard about TSH levels being an insufficient indicator though, so maybe I should look into further testing...
>
> The reason I'm leaning towards it being the Wellbutrin is because I've never had this issue before and because it started shortly after I started the Wellbutrin. I know it's a very uncommon side effect, but I have found a lot of posts from folks online about having this happen and and it made me concerned.I see.....I suggest you speak with your pdoc.
Posted by stellabystarlight on September 12, 2008, at 16:18:32
In reply to Love Wellbutrin, but scared of HAIR LOSS!, posted by Marie83 on September 12, 2008, at 11:57:30
Hi Marie83,
I'm afraid I have some bad news. I lost half of my hair on wellbutrin. I noticed the hairloss about a month after starting on it, but didn't connect it to Wellbutrin until months later. I would find clumps of it on my pillow, shower drain, my therapist's chair, etc.
I stopped Wellbutrin when a hairstylist told me there wasn't enough hair to layer it the right way!!! I decided no amount of Wellbutrin would help me with depression if I went bald.
The good news is my hair has stopped falling out in clumps and is slowly growing back. I've done some research on the internet and found that a fair amount of people experienced hairloss on Wellbutrin, and nothing about successfully combatting this side effect. I didn't want to wait around to see if I could fight it and lose even more hair.
Sorry about the bad news, but this was my experience with it. I actually regret ever going on Wellbutrin and fortunately, I didn't experience any bad withdrawls.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Stellabystarlight
Posted by Merge on September 12, 2008, at 21:14:14
In reply to Love Wellbutrin, but scared of HAIR LOSS!, posted by Marie83 on September 12, 2008, at 11:57:30
I rarely have side effects but one of the side effects I had when taking Wellbutrin was that my hair started falling out. My doctor said it was very rare but that it did happen sometimes. He did not know of any way to stop the hair loss nor did he think my body would get used to the effects, so I stopped taking it.
The good news is, after I stopped taking it, my hair did grow back. I hope that you can find something that works without a side effect like this.
Posted by katmania on September 13, 2008, at 14:25:06
In reply to Love Wellbutrin, but scared of HAIR LOSS!, posted by Marie83 on September 12, 2008, at 11:57:30
I have been on Wellbutrin XL for almost 2 months now. About 1 week after starting the Wellbutrin I experienced accelerated hair loss. My hair has been slowing thinning over the past 20 years, but it certainly got worse after starting Wellbutrin. I will stop taking the medication and hope my recently lost hair grows back. The benefits of Wellbutrin don't make up for the increased depression caused by this hair loss. I also experienced increased hair loss with Zoloft. I know the experts say that only a very small percentage of patients experience hair loss while taking Wellbutrin. In my opinion, people with normally thick hair won't notice if they're losing any hair. I think you have to lose about 50% of your hair before noticing any marked difference in thickness. It's people like me, who have thin hair to begin with, who notice the hair loss while on medication.
Posted by Marie83 on September 13, 2008, at 14:45:01
In reply to I lost half of my hair on wellbutrin! » Marie83, posted by stellabystarlight on September 12, 2008, at 16:18:32
Yikes, I was really hoping for some sort of antidote to the hair loss.
Do you have any suggestions for AD's or mood stabilizers (other than Lamictal; I loved it, but was allergic) that are energizing in the way that Wellbutrin was and that also won't lead to weight gain? I'm willing to tolerate quite a few side effects, but not getting fat or going bald...
Posted by Marie83 on September 13, 2008, at 14:47:40
In reply to Re: I lost half of my hair on wellbutrin!, posted by Marie83 on September 13, 2008, at 14:45:01
Could Prozac be a potential candidate?
Posted by Marie83 on September 13, 2008, at 14:51:47
In reply to Re: I lost half of my hair on wellbutrin!, posted by Marie83 on September 13, 2008, at 14:45:01
Also, if I were to remain on the Wellbutrin, what are your thoughts on the Nioxin shampoo? Some people online have said that it has done nothing and others have sworn by it.
Posted by manic666 on September 14, 2008, at 3:06:38
In reply to Re: Love Wellbutrin, but scared of HAIR LOSS!, posted by katmania on September 13, 2008, at 14:25:06
i lost hair when on effexor, mind you i lost my mind at the same time. now on cybalta it has thickend out again. but im still nuts. manic666
Posted by Bluebaby on September 15, 2008, at 0:31:04
In reply to Re: Love Wellbutrin, but scared of HAIR LOSS!, posted by manic666 on September 14, 2008, at 3:06:38
> i lost hair when on effexor, mind you i lost my mind at the same time. now on cybalta it has thickend out again. but im still nuts. manic666
I have been on Wellbutrin for almost six months now and I am surprised that if it causes hair loss that I dont have it!! I am usually so sensitive to every side effect that it hits me full force. But the thing I do have is a horrible case of never ending depression, that the Wellbutrin is just not helping. My daughters friend is taking lamictal. Has anyone heard of adding it to Wellbutrin. By the way, I am glad I found this list, I need some help desperately, before I lose the little bit of mind I have left
Bluebaby
Posted by Marie83 on September 19, 2008, at 17:49:14
In reply to Re: Love Wellbutrin, but scared of HAIR LOSS!, posted by Bluebaby on September 15, 2008, at 0:31:04
After seeing everyone's responses I started Prozac last Friday and tapered off the WB. Today I have not noticed a lot of hair loss. It makes me wonder if WB was in fact the culprit, since a remission within a few days of tapering off seems pretty fast. Or maybe the supplements I've been taking are finally kicking in? Hmmm...
What are your thoughts? What were your guys' experiences? How long after stopping the WB did your hair loss stop?
Posted by desolationrower on September 19, 2008, at 19:03:39
In reply to Re: Love Wellbutrin, but scared of HAIR LOSS!, posted by Marie83 on September 19, 2008, at 17:49:14
I did not notice hair loss on bupropion the way i did on the ssris i took.
-D/R
This is the end of the thread.
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