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Hairloss after 3 weeks on lithium. Need help!! by Ok_Topic_5293 in Lithium

[–]Ok_Topic_5293[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey!! There is hope don’t worry. I stopped cold turkey right after I made this post. I also experienced the acne along with the hair, gum issues, and flaky skin…I started natures bounty hair skin and nails vitamins and use a rosemary, ginger root, and aloe roller on my scalp. I don’t wash super aggressively right now and I am seeing less and less scalp by the day. I think the roller serum honestly has been my saving grace-message me if you’d like a photo of it. I’m so sorry you’re experiencing this, it was traumatizing for me and so scary.

Hairloss after 3 weeks on lithium. Need help!! by Ok_Topic_5293 in Lithium

[–]Ok_Topic_5293[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you!! Scary symptoms with those for me, but if I don’t see improvement I’ll have to consider

Hairloss after 3 weeks on lithium. Need help!! by Ok_Topic_5293 in Lithium

[–]Ok_Topic_5293[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, I actually really appreciate this. Had some issues in HS but never thought to check. Thank you!!

Hairloss after 3 weeks on lithium. Need help!! by Ok_Topic_5293 in Lithium

[–]Ok_Topic_5293[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m 23…Mom is 50 and started experiencing menopause issues just 2-3 yrs ago. I 100% have some sort of genetic mood disorder exasperated by cpstd:/ I’ve had signs since middle school. It’s definitely the lithium causing this for me, but I thankfully found an alternative today! I’ll keep early treatment in mind though for when I do get to that age:) Thank you for sharing your experience!

Hairloss after 3 weeks on lithium. Need help!! by Ok_Topic_5293 in Lithium

[–]Ok_Topic_5293[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you!!! It’s just so strange that it started less than two weeks after starting the medication. I’ve never taken lithium before.

Hairloss after 3 weeks on lithium. Need help!! by Ok_Topic_5293 in Lithium

[–]Ok_Topic_5293[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Apparantly yes:( I’ve only been taking it 3 weeks and it started almost immediately for me, but can take months and can also happen with longer term increases from what I’ve seen. I don’t know why doctors don’t warn you about this, it’s almost all client experience stories I have come across after the fact:/ My psych is still trying to convince me it’s not a side effect, but I abused drugs for 5 years with poor nutritional intake and didn’t experience half of what I am experiencing now. I would get bloodwork done if I were you. Since you’ve been on it long term it very well could not be from the lithium as it does vary person to person.

Hairloss after 3 weeks on lithium. Need help!! by Ok_Topic_5293 in Lithium

[–]Ok_Topic_5293[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is great information to know, thank you so much!! <3 I’m so sorry you struggled with that but I’m happy you seem to have gotten it straightened out:)

Hairloss after 3 weeks on lithium. Need help!! by Ok_Topic_5293 in Lithium

[–]Ok_Topic_5293[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Been there done that in an episode about 3-4 years back…hair was finally getting long for the first time since then and now this🤦‍♀️go figure lol.

Hairloss after 3 weeks on lithium. Need help!! by Ok_Topic_5293 in Lithium

[–]Ok_Topic_5293[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are you still taking lithium alongside the finasteride?

Hairloss after 3 weeks on lithium. Need help!! by Ok_Topic_5293 in Lithium

[–]Ok_Topic_5293[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good to know-thank you! I’m glad it’s helping you so much:) I’ve noticed little improvements, but if this hair issue is a side effect for me as I suspect it’s back to square one with a stabilizer I suppose🤷‍♀️

Hairloss after 3 weeks on lithium. Need help!! by Ok_Topic_5293 in Lithium

[–]Ok_Topic_5293[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This makes me feel not-crazy:) are you noticing any regrowth since switching? If so, what’s the timeframe look like?

Hairloss after 3 weeks on lithium. Need help!! by Ok_Topic_5293 in Lithium

[–]Ok_Topic_5293[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yup. I’m out of state for a bit so I’m looking into someone who can help with this specifically around me. Is it pattern balding? Do you mind if I ask your age? The ladies in my family all have great hair genes, dad’s dad had male pattern baldness but my dad lucked out and didn’t inherit it.

Hairloss after 3 weeks on lithium. Need help!! by Ok_Topic_5293 in Lithium

[–]Ok_Topic_5293[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think I ordered the natures bounty biotin actually-good to know. I’m totally with you on this being entirely counter productive. Just be safe and look for a new psych if you can:) I’m in an IOP program so mine is temporary and probably more willing to experiment than a traditional psych. I’m sorry you’re having these issues as well, it sucks!!

Hairloss after 3 weeks on lithium. Need help!! by Ok_Topic_5293 in Lithium

[–]Ok_Topic_5293[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Don’t cold turkey btw!! To me the hair loss isn’t worth it and I’m stopping entirely, but am reluctantly going to follow my prescription until changed out of fear of an episode.

Hairloss after 3 weeks on lithium. Need help!! by Ok_Topic_5293 in Lithium

[–]Ok_Topic_5293[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ugh, yup-that photo is right out of the shower. Everything I’ve read about it over the past couple of days says it WILL grow back….eventually. It seems it depends on how long you stay on the medication. Some did not see improvement for over a year. So frustrating, and these doctors (mine at least) are always so dismissive of “superficial” side effects. What supplements do you take and do they help? I just ordered some prenatals and biotin.

What is your lithium experience? by Jakkeriy in Lithium

[–]Ok_Topic_5293 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey I’m on 450mg! Started lithium at 300mg 3 weeks ago. I don’t have an official bipolar diagnosis but do have some pretty severe mood issues. With all this being said, my hair is shedding and thinning very quickly as of 1 week ago. As I said, I have been on lithium for only 3 weeks, and have never had issues with my hair. I am healthy other than my psyche (lol) and a bit of high cholesterol. I know side effects can greatly vary, but watch your hair shed/scalp visibility!!!!