Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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meandthebeast 11/26/2010

I just started on Lithium a month ago and my hair is falling out in hand fulls.. Has anyone else ever had this side effect?

meandthebeast 11/26/2010

And I mean the real me... not the bear... lmao

deleted_user 11/26/2010

I've been on Lithium for almost 10 years now and I have never had this happen to me.

May I ask what dose you are on?

meandthebeast 11/26/2010

150 mg three times a day.

deleted_user 11/26/2010

So 450mg all up then. That's a relatively low dosage.

You should probably go back to your doctor and have your Lithium levels checked via blood test. They could possibly be too low or too high. I have no idea. Either it's best to consult your doctor just to be sure if that's the reason for your hair loss.

deleted_user 11/26/2010

I was on Lithium as well, IDK about my hair because it's been falling out in chunks for years. I'm surprised I have any hair left!

deleted_user 11/26/2010

Apparently it's a side effect, but quite a rare one.

katiebelle1091 11/26/2010

My hair is falling out too and I am on lithium. It seems to level off a bit after a while. I am on 1200mgs

deleted_user 11/26/2010

Hair loss can be a side effect of Lithium. I have seen it with clients I have had here at the crisis unit where I work. But you should not have reacted to such a low dose that significantly. What else are you on?

bbipolar 11/26/2010

I am not on lithium and my hair is falling out in chunks and I haven't changed any meds. Apparently sometimes that just happens from stress. My pdoc explained to me it wasn't med related in my case it was just that my body was going through a change and it would grow back that there was also a lot of new growth coming in.

deleted_user 11/26/2010

Have you been back to the Dr to discuss this?

meandthebeast 11/26/2010

going to the DR. on Monday.... *Does my bald head make my ass look big?*

deleted_user 11/26/2010

I had that happen but it was from a different medication. There was so much hair everywhere (and it was long at the time) that the vacuum would clog up. I switched meds and it stopped falling out.

deleted_user 11/26/2010

I am on 1200mgs of Lithium a day and have yet to have that side effect. I'm sorry that's happening to you.

Niccid 11/26/2010

My hair used to fall out a lot, before I switched to lithium. Dr said I was anemic, put me on prenatal vitamins, my hair loss is hardly a problem now. Good luck

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