please help if you can.

Hey jen, I just started Topamax. I posted a topic called running out of options that explains this is like my 8th attempt on a drug. Before I started taking Topamax my hair started falling out and still is. I figured it was because of the stress from going on and off and on and off of seizure drugs trying to find one that would work. I can't imagine its good for the body. I imagine seizures in general cause the body through stress as well and stress in itself can cause hairloss. I have been on the Topamax for about a week now. If I notice my hair loss gets worse I will let you know. But it may be alot of other factors too. Let me know what you find out. Because I was devistated myself when I saw mine coming out. I don't even like to brush it anymore because of it.

I'm taking topomax and lamictal myself. Have been taking the two of them for awhile now and never noticed it actually. Something you might want to try is a different type of shampoo/conditioner mix on top of talking to the neuro? My hair dries out anyway, of course the area I'm in the weather we have out this way is horrid, especially around this time of year. Lemme see, last year our winter temp averaged between 2 to 3 (not kidding) with a wind chill of -2 or lower, ha ha ha! Gotta love the mid west! Why in heaven's name I moved out here (I still ask that question) but won't move back home to east coast if I won the lottery; I'm a country girl by heart. Anyway, back on topic. Let's see. I'm not sure if you've got a Sally's Beauty Supply place but they've got a good deal where the public can purchase the same items the salons do - I go by there every so often and check out the latest of style products. If you've gotten your hair cut at a salon they're the best persons to talk to about what's good to use on your hair to keep it subtle with moisture and get the dryness out of it. For me, I've tried Biolage, Amp, Nioxin (I think) and Ion - can get them all from Sally's. You can pick up Paul Mitchell products from Sally's too. I've not tried them yet but have heard a lot of praises on that product. I can't remember but I think Bead Head (think that's what it's called) is available through them too, not sure if that's got shampoo or not but it's supposed to be a really great moisture style product especially if you do a lot of stuff with the curling iron, straightener, blow dryer, etc. Now with me, I used the Biolage; worked for awhile but weighed my hair down too much. I used to color my hair a lot (twice a year) and that really started tearing it up (drying it out) so I started using this Nioxin treatment once a week - that brought it back to life. Stopped using it when the hair got a lot of growth to it. I blew dry my hair a lot (still do) and tried out the Amp to see how that would work since I couldn't quite get the volume on my hair - worked great! Problem was, after a day my hair started looking really funky and had to wash it again. With my hair type it was just too much build up but with the type of shampoo it did what it was supposed to. Found out that the best thing for me to use is the Ion. I've got the shampoo, conditioner, the mousse, straightener (I have a straightening iron) and the hair spray. It's got a great content of ingredients in it and you don't need a lot of anything so it's well worth the purchase. Can't remember how much I paid for everything since I purchased the items as I needed them but I found that Ion works the best for me. The nice thing is, Ion has a variety line that you can get for your own hair tone. If you need something to give you more moisture they've got it and vice versa. Something I've discovered is that if you have to blow dry your hair all the time, it's best to get a good blow dryer. When I say a good blow dryer, I'm referring to something from a place other than Wal-mart or a dept store. This is the one that I have to give you an idea of what I'm using.. http://www.sallybeauty.com/shop/1630/345606 I spent about $45 on it from Sallys, can't remember an exact amount. Well worth the price though. I did a lot of shopping around before I came up with the final decision but this was a highly suggested product for a home user. The gal I talked to at Sallys said it's a step below what they use at the salons and I couldn't resist the price; don't regret the purchase. I got a thermal brush to go with it and the combination of the two works great. Sorry to go off into a beauty topic discussion but that's what I've found works for me. *giggle* Sue