Priadel and hair loss ...............

[blushingm]

has anyone any experience of this. I've been taling it about 5 months and have noticed my pillow and clothes being covered in hair, my hair brush really full of hair and the shower drain actually became blocked. My hair dresser also mentioned on saturday that my hair was coming away more easily than normal and was very thin.

Is it worth going to see gp or not?

Definitely go and see your GP. Your hair is the last item on your bloods list for "feeding". (for want of a better explanation) It's not usually cause for concern so please don't worry yourself to much over it. It is usually an indication of some kind of issue in your blood though. It could just be hormone levels,blood count - something very simple. We are starting to head into spring - so this could be part of the issue (we do malt like other animals - to a far lesser degree of course). However, I would def check your general health with your GP. Don't let the GP just send you away. At the very least you need your blood checked.
I hope this helps.

thanks mamii - nice to know i'm not being silly about it - my self esteem is low as it is and losing my hair would just make it worse

It's a big thing for women. The way you're talking about your hair loss suggests it's not going in patches - this would suggest Alopecia. Lumps around the size of 10 pence pieces would suggest this. It sounded more like a general hair loss.
Have you recently had a baby? The sudden drop in blood flow has an effect and with a significant minority - the effects on your hair are dramatic and worrying.
Trouble is, the doctors usually don't hold much store in things like your hair. But it is a VERY good measure of your general health.
If you get really concerned - there are products on the market that help. They were found to aid hair growth as a side effect of blood pressure tablets! But once you start with these types of products, you have to continue which is why I recommend the blood test check as your 1st point of call.
If you have a good hairdresser - talk to them about "regain".
Things I would suggest you do immediately (if you don't already)
If you use poor quality combs or brushes - then invest in good quality ones. Matador combs and natural bristle brushes. I would suggest never using a bristle brush at all. Vent brushes only.
Also, use a good quality conditioner and massage your head every time you wash your hair. Try and do this every other day if it's possible.
I know how important this is to you.
Please just ask if you have any more concerns.
Good luck - seeing the results will take a few weeks - but keep persevering.

PS My grandad was a hairdresser 1930 - 1984
My mum is a hairdresser 1960 (odd) to now.
My sister is a hairdresser 1980 (odd) to now.
I was a hairdresser for years - but am now an IT consultant (more money )

So my advice does have knowledge behind it.

Sorry I didn't reply before - Marriage councelling on Tues and it was DH's birthday yesterday.
Good luck hon.
XXX

are you having your levels tested regularly? are you taking it with anything else? I know sodium valproate can cause hair loss

I didn't have hair loss on lithium but did get scalp psoriasis (niiiiice) and weight gain and acne - quite how that was supposed to improve my mood was never fully explained to me!

(I switched to lamictal in the end and enjoy a side-effect free life)

good luck

Google search found this statement - "approximately 5% of individuals who take lithium experience marked hair loss".

There's actually quite a bit about the subject when you googe it.

Def discuss with GP alternatives - the above tips still stand though.

Good luck.

i will try ALL those tips mamii thankyou- what's the worst they can do??? I don't have any bald patches as such it's just very very thin and breaks very easily

Mare - it take fluoxetine with the priadel - last level i had was in december - i'm just waiting for my next hosp appointment to come through - oh and i've also has the weight struggle too - great for my mood - i'm going to end up looking like humpty dumpty!