Hi,

As I understand it, those who experience hair loss with the anticonvulsants are taking it for that purpose - anti-seizure purposes at around 400mg and up per day.   The stress might be a Large part of what's going on there in my opinion???
I have been taking it for the last ~3 years or so for chronic migraines at around 100mg and I have never experienced hair loss - haven't had anything more than the tingling fingers, dry mouth, and lack of taste of carbonation of drinks (went away in first year), and cognitive side effects (forgetfulness, loss of many words, which are still there every day.)
Topiramate never touched my CH, they actually started while I was on it - if it worked for me hell I'd go Bald!!  Not to downplay your situation, just how I feel right now.  Looks like I'm goin chronic according to all the docs.    Meds aren't preventing so much any more.  

Good luck talking to the doc -  

Val

YEah - the topamax information PDF stated that over 1% of the 1367 migraine clinical trial guinea pigs described alopecia as a side effect.  Wasn't common, but who knows how much over that 1%??? 

Tough decision - yes a real dilemma as you state it.  Some of the stuff I read stated your doc might be able to give you something to counteract the hair loss if it is indeed the topiramate - if you are willing to hang in there to find out if it was stress or not.?  Only other option is trying something else.  All the other anticonvulsants are likely to do the same - Depakote is another favorite for headaches with similar chances of hair side effects.

Val

I tried 200mg of topamax first and had hair loss.  Lots of hair fell out when brushing etc but no bald spots.  I also latter tried 600mg of topamax at the advice of a ha clinic specialist same hair problem.  It did nothing for my ch.  What dose of verapamil did you try.  Many take around 960mg or higher.  It gave me an irregular heart beat and shallow breathing and low blood pressure at that high dose so couldn't give it a chance to work on my ch.  Good luck.

Quick update.  Been on the same levels of this drug for a good few months and lost quite a lot of hair now...right side of head is almost bald and yesterday i found a small bald spot right in the centre at the front of my head.  The stress in my life has calmed down , but not sure if it's the topomax or because the alopecia has started from stress and that's that.  I saw a different docotr and she says that alopecia is definatley a side effect but an extermely rare one.  I'm also rapidly losing weight.  i have no appetite whatsoever...lost 3 stine already!!!  I have one month to either put on weight or stabilise.  So am setting my alarm and eating every 2 hours, as I don't want to stop the meds as they're the only things that have stopped the ha.  I'm coming to terms with the hair loss slowly and have a building collection of hair bands and have contacted a great place that helps with the cost of wigs because I don't have 50% of hair loss the nhs won't help yet, and as a single mum of 3 my wages won't stretch that far with Christmas coming up.  I guess I've put my ha's over my hair.  Without the meds I would struggle to hold down a job and have the quality of life i have now, I can't imagine going back to how I was living before taking the topomax.  If I'm bald I can wear a wig and still lead a good life.  Without the meds, I have hair but can't work, my kids have to take care of themselves while I'm in my room in pain, and we're struggling for money and I just can't bring myself to go there.  I'm not 100% happy with it but I'm learning to live with it.  I'm pretty convinced the topomax has caused it although I have no proof...it's been almost 6 months and there's no regrowth, with stress related alopecia I would've seen regrowth of some kind by now.
Well there we have it, thanks for your messages prior to this.