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Disclaimer: Before I start, I am going to preface this by saying that this is not a column about how bad antidepressants are. But it does discuss the side-effects that I’ve experienced personally with some of the pills that I’ve been on. I still am on medication because it helps to manage my depression, so the solution is not to stop taking it. I am writing about my issues with my medication simply as a means to look for a solution while still using antidepressants.
One of the first things you learn about being on antidepressants is how much it can affect your body.
From weight gain and severe nausea, to debilitating periods and mood fluctuations (that actually worsened my depression) I’ve had to make several adjustments to either dosages of the same medication, or switching to new meds entirely.
Throughout the past five years or so, with two stints in the hospital and one at a specialised clinic, the journey to managing my condition and the medication required for it has pretty much been a case of trial and error – which is something I’ve never had a problem with because I’ve accepted that you just never know how you will react to medication unless you don’t try it for a certain period of time.
(Side note: the side-effects I describe below are based on my personal experience and may differ for someone else)My side-effects may not sound as if it was any cause for alarm, but the nausea was something that worsened progressively and there were times I couldn’t walk because of the intensity of my period pain.
(Case in point: A few weeks ago I dyed my hair black with a product I have used before and the dye burnt my scalp and resulted in such severe itchiness that it formed scabs.)
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I actually didn’t notice any issues with my hair at first until a family member pointed out that the bathroom is filled with hair lying all over the floor, which means that when I’m brushing or combing my hair, my hair is obviously falling out in clumps.
In terms of hair care, I do all I can to stop this. I’ve used hair serums and special shampoos that promote hair growth and to help with the tangles. I’ve switched my meds (I’m back on one that didn’t cause hair breakage but resulted in nausea, so I’m monitoring to see if there will be improvement) and though I keep my hair trimmed, the ends are constantly uneven because of the breakage issue.
I am not keen to drop my medication because I am unable to cope without it, and as I’ve mentioned, I’m watching to see if the meds I’m now on will stop the damage.
In the meantime, I’m stuck between wanting to feel like a functional human being and wanting hair that doesn’t make me look and feel like a stringy scarecrow. Because, despite trying not to have a complex about it, my self-esteem can’t help but make me feel bad about it.So, have any of you ever been on meds that have caused hair breakage/falling out? What helped for you? I could really use with some advice.
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