hair loss and antidepressants, need help

[Emjae]

I have been struggling with depression for many years. I took Zoloft for 8 years with good results, however the effect of the drug lessoned and I began trying newer medications ie, Wellbutrin, Effexor, Cymbalta, Triliptal, Lexapro, Lamictal, Luvox,  all of which caused significant hair loss. I am now on Celexa and my hair is  starting  to fall out. It is very disappointing. I wish I could do without an antidepressant, but I know that I have Unipolar/Bipolar II disorder and without medication I have an extremely difficult time. It was suggested to me to try adding Selenium and Zinc to cope with hair loss. I did find this helped, though not enough to justify staying on any of the above medications. I don't want to lose all of my hair, but I can't continue with this depression. The medications I am sensitive to are the ones which effect dopamine and noreprinepine. I also have had discontinuation syndrome (electric zings) when I have tried to come off of SSRI's. At one point I was unable to function for a month because of the constant zinging in my head, eyes, and body. Does anyone have any suggestions? My Psychiatrist talked to me about an MAOI inhibitor. I'm not sure about that.

[ParamedFlorena]

Hi,

Finally someone else mentions hairloss! I might be one who grasp for every possible explanation I can find, but I always "shed" hair in the winter - and that's when I use AD most. It's a MAOI. I mentioned it to my doc but she only smiled silent and asked if I'd noticed anything else. "Yeeeeeeah... Kinda," I said. "It's a lot more easier to cope with my aches when I'm using it".
It's always pro's and con's about AD and there are lots of medications to try. The sad thing is that it takes a whole lot of time to get off one and onto another one.

Have you tried B-vitamins too? They do wonders, at least for fragile nails!

I wish you good luck!
It is so much to learn here. I haven't been halfways through the messageboard yet (obviously that takes too much time). The expert forums related to this board has got a lot of information too!

Florena

[Emjae]

Thank you for the information. I may need to consider the MAOI patch. My hair loss stops after I stop those medications. My hair does not fall out while taking an SSRI. It only falls out when I take an antidepressant which effects dopamine and/or norepinephrin.(sp??)  I have excellent results with those medications except for the hair loss. Thank you again.  

[Hensley258]

Like you I also used to take Zoloft. Took it for about 4 years and it worked wonders during that time for my Severe depression and anxiety. Then it just kind of started fading away and became less and less effective so I had to switch meds. Then I switch to Effexor and got around another 4 years effectivness from it until it also pooped out slowly.

I have never heard of hair loss being a side effect of any AD medication. I know for me it never caused any hair loss.

MAO inhibitor medication is generally perscribed by Psychiatrist as a last resort antidepressant when a patient has failed to experience a response from SSRI, SNRI, or Tri-Cyclic antidepressants. Reason is because MOA inhibitors, while they are very very effective can also kill you if you eat the wrong food. There is a huge list of foods and other meds that can NEVER be consumed while on MAO treatment.

Now, there is a new MAO patch that I think may be avalible now which deliveres the medication thru the skin, thus bypassing the digestive system and allows for much less risk of food interaction. You may want to ask about that MAO patch.

You never know, perhaps your hair loss is natural. A lot of people start losing hair after 20 just because of genetics.

If I were you I would save the MAO option if ever there was a time when you simply are not responding to more common AD medication. MAO's should really only be considered by people with severe treatment resistant depression that no longer responds to other AD meds.