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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sarita0001 on October 21, 2003, at 22:31:38
Hi,
For some of you who have read my posts might know about how I was on meds for 7 years and misdiagnosed, etc,etc. Well what has really been bothering me and I haven't posted it here is the cosmetic side effects I got from Topamax. I didn't realize how self-conscious I could really be until this happened. I made the blonde hair on my face(everyone has it but you can't see it) turn black and grow a little longer. That's called hypertrichosis and is apparently a not so likely side effect and is hormonal(a lot of people don't know that topamax and aed's have testosterone in them) So this drives me crazy every single day because I beat myself up about having taken the stupid medicine after dieting and exercising for 1.5 years due to lithium weight gain.
The only thing I could do is go to a dermatologist and get the hair lasered off which is going to cost me up to 2000 dollars and I am a student. I am so self-conscious about it my self esteem gets lower every day. It's mostly just on my cheeks and side of face. No mustache or beard problems at least. Ha. I am afraid it won't work, even though it has after one time, and that this is going to be an ongoing problem. A problem that happened just because I was on a medicine for 4 months that I didn't even need. The self blame kills me every day. I was never this self-conscious ever and I think most of it is not visible and is in my head. I guess after hoping the Topamax would work and it screwing me over, I think the laser treatments won't work.
If anyone has any advice, I would appreciate it. I am embarassed to share this even though you all don't know me. It is embarassing and I feel like an idiot. I did so much research on Topamax here and elsewhere and no one had this problem. I couldn't go to my parents about this because they never want to talk about the illness or anything. That pisses me off too. Therapy 2x a week is helping but I am starting to lose hope in that even.
thanks so much for all the other times too.
Sara
Posted by Susan J on October 22, 2003, at 9:52:49
In reply to this is driving me insane, posted by sarita0001 on October 21, 2003, at 22:31:38
Hi, Sara,
>It made the blonde hair on my face(everyone has it but you can't see it) turn black and grow a little longer. That's called hypertrichosis and is apparently a not so likely side effect and is hormonal(a lot of people don't know that topamax and aed's have testosterone in them)
<<That would be annoying, and don't feel like it's wrong to feel self-concious about it. I still get self-concious when I get a face full of zits. At 36.> The only thing I could do is go to a dermatologist and get the hair lasered off which is going to cost me up to 2000 dollars and I am a student.
<<I know this is a stupid question, but have you tried dipilatories (spelling?), like Nair for the face? Or getting it waxed at a salon like eye brows? I use Nair on my face (special formulation - *don't* use the stuff for legs), because my blonde hair is growing in a *lot* thicker, more noticable. And it works great!Waxing would last a little longer, but you do have to go to a salon. And it's a little more expensive.
Both of these are *much* cheaper, at least in the short term, than the laser surgery. And, as my aunt can attest, the more you pluck your eyebrows, the more scant they become. (The hair is much less likely to grow back after several years of that). I only tell you this because if you can do something like the waxing, and do it for several years, then the hair might not grow back, or grow back much thinner....
And does that side effect ever go away, or is it for life?
>>I am so self-conscious about it my self esteem gets lower every day.
<<I'm so sorry. I know how that feels. But keep telling yourself you are *so* much more than a hair problem. You are smart, funny, caring, insightful, all that....that's so much more important that excess/noticable facial hair.
> If anyone has any advice, I would appreciate it. I am embarassed to share this even though you all don't know me.
<<There's *nothing* to be embarassed about. Perhaps you are very young (I don't know your age). But facial hair is a fact of life for many women over 30. :-) You just learn to cope (wax,nair,laser).>>I couldn't go to my parents about this because they never want to talk about the illness or anything. That pisses me off too.
<<That really sucks. :-( Please keep coming here. There are some wonderful, supportive people here! And can empathize with parents in denial. <eyes rolling right at my own parents>I hope you feel better. I'll be thinking about ya,
Susan
Posted by sarita0001 on October 22, 2003, at 21:00:57
In reply to Re: this is driving me insane » sarita0001, posted by Susan J on October 22, 2003, at 9:52:49
Susan-
Thanks you are right about many things. Like I said I don't know how much I am overreacting. Nobody has even noticed and the people who usually notice stuff and call me on it haven't said anything. I am going to be 25 soon. I am willing to spend the money on the lasering because I don't want to deal with the problem all the time. (it reminds me of the whole situation)And it is working but even that worries me, as you can tell I worry alot. I never had much self-confidence but when I did, it was nice.
And the fact that it was a result of my decision is what I can't get over. For a long time, I was mad at the doctor because I felt he shouldn't be giving out a weight loss drug that isn't even approved for weight loss. I never went back to him. Anyways, usually what happens with me is that I get so sick of thinking about something at some point I will stop. But this has been going on since May, so this is just taking longer than expected. I might feel better when I go to the endocrinologist to see if my hormones are ok, because it threw all of those off too. Take care of yourself as well.Sara
Posted by deirdrehbrt on October 22, 2003, at 22:30:59
In reply to Re: this is driving me insane, posted by sarita0001 on October 22, 2003, at 21:00:57
Sara,
That's not at all a fun problem that you have, but I do have a little experience with removing facial hair.
Other than waxing, depilitories, and other temporary measures, here is what I have found.
The only medically proven means of PERMANENTLY removing hair is electrolysis. There are three types of electrolysis: Galvanic, Thermolysis (sp?) and blend. Galvanic is where you hold an electrode, and a fine probe is inserted into the hair follicle. A direct-current electrical charge causes a chemical reaction in the hair follicle that destroys the hair root.
Thermolysis doesn't require the electrode, and the probe is inserted the same way as above. A radio frequency pulse is delivered via the probe which cauterizes the blood vessels in the follicle.
Blend uses a combination of the two methods.There is also a topical medication called Vaniqa which slows down hair growth, and it may help in your case. Unfortunately, many insurance companies do not cover this medication.
I can't comment on laser hair removal other than to say that for some skin types it isn't the best choice. I worked with an optical engineer who designed some laser hair removal equipment. He said that the difficult part is in assessing the skin, and delivering a pulse that would destroy the hair without harming the skin. Another difficulty was in educating doctors to the fact that more power didn't mean that the hair would be destroyed faster. As the laser vaporizes the undesired hair, the vapor also gets in the way of the laser light. If the laser is set too high, some cells might be vaporized, and that gas will interfere with the laser. Other cells though (in the skin, e.g.) might be damaged by the laser.
In the hands of someone well-trained, and for someone with the correct type of skin, laser seems to work. I don't know though, how long it lasts. In many states, laser hair removal is not permitted to advertize as permanent.
I hope this helps.
Dee.
Posted by Larry Hoover on October 22, 2003, at 22:46:05
In reply to this is driving me insane, posted by sarita0001 on October 21, 2003, at 22:31:38
> Hi,
>
> For some of you who have read my posts might know about how I was on meds for 7 years and misdiagnosed, etc,etc. Well what has really been bothering me and I haven't posted it here is the cosmetic side effects I got from Topamax. I didn't realize how self-conscious I could really be until this happened. I made the blonde hair on my face(everyone has it but you can't see it) turn black and grow a little longer. That's called hypertrichosis and is apparently a not so likely side effect and is hormonal(a lot of people don't know that topamax and aed's have testosterone in them) So this drives me crazy every single day because I beat myself up about having taken the stupid medicine after dieting and exercising for 1.5 years due to lithium weight gain.
>
> The only thing I could do is go to a dermatologist and get the hair lasered off which is going to cost me up to 2000 dollars and I am a student. I am so self-conscious about it my self esteem gets lower every day. It's mostly just on my cheeks and side of face.Sara, I hope this doesn't sound too simplistic, but have you considered investing a couple bucks in a disposable razor? Soap up, a quick swipe, and at least you can walk away feeling there's something less to be self-conscious about....in the meantime you can consider other long-term options.
Lar
Posted by sarita0001 on October 22, 2003, at 23:58:46
In reply to Re: this is driving me insane » sarita0001, posted by deirdrehbrt on October 22, 2003, at 22:30:59
Hi,
Thanks for the advice. I've done lots of research on laser hair removal and it's a mixed bag. The only thing I am confident about is that I am going to a dermatologist who has many years of experience with this. Most of the horror stories were of people who went to spas or to laser "technicians". All I can do at this point is hope that is works. I know it is not permanent but says a reduction is more realistic. Electrolysis might be something I could do later on when it becomes a problem again. But like I said the hair on the face is a result and symbol of my dealing with the emotional issues I have so as I get through those in time, then hopefully this won't bother me so much anymore.
Sara
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