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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Hair loss from Lithium?
        
(Message started by: JJM25 on Mar 6^th, 2008, 2:42pm)

Title: Hair loss from Lithium?
Post by JJM25 on Mar 6^th, 2008, 2:42pm

I am new to the board, a 25 year CH sufferer. A neurologist mentioned CH 25 years ago when they first started but back then the therapies were basically the same as migraine. I didn't pay much attention to that Dx and every 12-18 months I was hit with a 30 day bout of what I thought were migraines until 2 years ago when I did some research on my own and discovered I had classic CH. The only addition was the nausea and vomiting (which is how my body reacts to excruciating pain) and my IM Dr wasn't convinced. I researched a local Dr who used to specialize in it and he was able to help my dr understand and properly treat the Dx.

The prednisone taper worked well and I thought I would never suffer again.......this past August they began again and have continued to return each time I weaned off prednisone. Lithium was started two months ago and seemed to do the trick until I contracted pneumonia and the headaches were triggered once again. They just increased the dose to 300 mg tid. Verapamil did nothing and they even tried 1200 mg total per day.

The disappointment is the tremendous thinning of my hair...on top of all the body swelling and weight gain I had from prednisone, being on of and on for over six months.

Has anyone else experienced hair loss from these medications? My doctor called in a shampoo to use at night and also recommended Minoxidil in the morning. Obviously I would rather live with thinning hair and without headaches - but I wondered how common this is? My Dr didn't seem to have any patients who suffered that side effect, but then I am only one of four women CH patients in his total of CH sufferers. :-/

Title: Re: Hair loss from Lithium?
Post by brewcrew on Mar 6^th, 2008, 3:13pm

I believe that's called old age and bad genes. I've never heard of any of the meds taken by CH sufferers causing hair loss.

I've taken 900 mg of lithium every day for the last 6 years, I'm 47, and I still have a full head of hair. I thank my mother's father for that.

Title: Re: Hair loss from Lithium?
Post by JJM25 on Mar 6^th, 2008, 3:32pm

Well, it is definitely not old age, being a 44 year old female who had perfectly normal hair until two months ago.

Title: Re: Hair loss from Lithium?
Post by brewcrew on Mar 6^th, 2008, 3:38pm

Old age is a relative term, dear. Most guys who lose their hair show some significant hair loss by your age. I don't know how it works for the gals, but there is a percentage of women whose hair thins as they grow old. Not sure when that usually happens in the life cycle.

None of this includes the disease alopecia. All bets are off when it comes to alopecia. I have an aunt who lost every single strand of hair on her body - eyebrows, eyelashes, everything - in the 9th grade, never to return.

Title: Re: Hair loss from Lithium?
Post by Annette on Mar 6^th, 2008, 7:34pm

A lot of things can cause hair loss, from long term stress to lack of vitamins to aneamia to hormone changes to scalp disease .... You will need to have them looked at and ruled out if possible.

Hair loss is a rare side effect of Lithium. I have come across some old case reports on it. Lithium can cause hypothyroidism which can lead to hairloss. Its worth getting your thyroid checked.

The case reports all said if hairloss is due only to Lithium, it will stop and hair will grow back when its stopped.

Good luck !

Title: Re: Hair loss from Lithium?
Post by av8r3400 on Mar 6^th, 2008, 8:24pm

I've been mostly bald since I was 20, so the meds don't have any effect there for me. I was hoping for hair growth, but... :'(

However, I do feel your pain about the prednisone. Acne, bloating, joint pain, and all the rest are comon on Prednisone (for me at least).

Have you tried Imitrex for an abortive treatment? O2? These may allow for a lightening of some of the other meds and their side effects.

Title: Re: Hair loss from Lithium?
Post by Karla on Mar 7^th, 2008, 4:43pm

I took 900mg of lithium and had experienced some slight hair loss while on it for 2 years. Since it cut the number of ha in half and greatly reduced the pain level it was worth it to me.

Title: Re: Hair loss from Lithium?
Post by cash5542 on Mar 14^th, 2008, 9:14pm

My 22 yr old daughter has pretty severe asthma as well as CH.The drugs have really been hard on her beautiful shoulder lenghth hair. 16 mos. of continuous prednsione was the first one. You could see it in the shower, bathroom floor and her brush. Depekote was no better. She doesn't take lithium so I can't speak for that. She has been off both drugs and it's slowly coming back but not like it was. She uses Nioxin shampoo and Redken protein treatments. Biotin in vitamins is also helpful. Thanks for your suggestions too.

Charlotte

Title: Re: Hair loss from Lithium?
Post by beachmusic on Mar 15^th, 2008, 9:37am

I know hair loss is very common side effect of topomax and depakote. Both used to treat cluster headaches and migraines. Not sure about Lithium but should be easy to find out. Good luck.
We women Like our hair even when it is sore as the devil from a headache!!!