Hi, i'm new here, and i'm hoping that
someone can help me. I've started on
epival in the last four months after years
of medications and surgery to try to
control my epilepsy. I've noticed some
positve decreases in the amount of
seizures so i'm happy about that.
However, not to sound petty, but one of
the major side effects is a real change in
my hair. I have long hair, and
previously it has always been very thick
and shiny. In the last few weeks, i've
noticed that it's very dull, and is
breaking off all over. I have a fuzzbull
around my roots from short hairs sticking
up all over. I don't want to sound vain,
but this is really bothering me. I had
to shave my head completely for the
surgery four years ago, and that was
really difficult. I finally have my hair
back again, but the epival is wreaking
havoc on it. I've been thinking about
large doses of omega oils, but thought i'd
ask here first. Any info would be
appreciated. Thanks!
|
SleepyJen
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 31 May 2004 Posts: 41 Location: NYC
Selenium And Zinc Posted: 07-24-04 19:16pm
Wow that sucks that they shaved your whole
head for your surgery. They barely
shaved anything for mine.
Anyway, I had a major problem with hair
loss years ago when I was taking high
doses of depakote. I was visibly
shedding my long hair throughout the day,
and I had the fuzzball problem too. One
good thing it did though was permanently
make my hair more curly than it was, and I
like it better now (though I think it may
be thinner).
I can recall back then that my doctor
advised me to take selenium and zinc
supplements, though I can't remember if it
helped much. But it may be worth a try.
Good luck.
|
kelly207
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 7 Location: canada
Posted: 07-28-04 14:57pm
Thanks sleepyjen for the info, i'm going
to try that right away. As for the curly
hair, when they shaved my head it's
already come in definitely wavier, I used
to have poker straight hair, so maybe i'll
end up with curls eventually!
|
SleepyJen
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 31 May 2004 Posts: 41 Location: NYC
Posted: 07-29-04 00:20am
Hi again,
i just realized that epival and depakote
are the same drug. Anyway, I know it's
actually a common thing for that drug to
permanently make hair curly... So if you
want curly hair you're in luck!
Jen
|
beckerc1
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 4 Location: Mobile Al
Posted: 07-29-04 05:43am
You're not being petty - can't the doctor
put you on something else/ the newer
drugs don't do that - there are other
choices out there(i'm a woman, and our
hair is very important - it's tough enough
being epileptic, with out losing our hair
too!! Congrats on your surgery!Cb
|
kelly207
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 7 Location: canada
Posted: 07-29-04 11:12am
Hi beckerc1, actually this drug is one in
a long list that i've been on because even
after the surgery my seizures still have
not stopped, and in fact are in some ways
worse. So we just keep trying to find
the meds that are going to control them
best. It's a pain, but the epival does
make a substantial difference even if some
of the side effects are miserable (nausea,
vomiting, tiredness, and now this hair
thing). Thanks for your positive
thoughts though, you're definitely right
about being a woman with epilepsy!
