I'm depressed but I have hair!!

by Dar
(Maple Shade NJ)

I have suffered from Depression for most of my life, and never really did anything professionally to help myself. My finances didn't allow it or I was to busy raising my 5 kids alone after my husband walked out saying, "This just isn't what I want anymore". Well I dealt with my problem as best as I could on my own.

Finally, once all my kids were grown, I noticed that my symptoms were worse than they used to be. I took myself to the mental health clinic and after much therapy and Dr. visits discovered I suffered bipolar disorder. One of the medication given to me,Depakote, helped me alot, but after 3 or 4 months my hair started falling out, and I don't mean slowly either.

Well I told the Dr. but he offered me no alternative, so I stopped the depakote on my own. My symptoms returned, but I decided to try and deal with it on my own once more. About a year later my moods were totally off the wall, I went back and was told the same thing, Depakote was best for me. I told the Dr about my previous experience with the hair loss, but he said it might not happen this time around, reluctantly I agreed to give it 1 more shot,but it happened again. My hair was falling out at an alarming rate.

I went back for my checkup 3 months later and told the doctor, his reply "well maybe the fact that it works so well for your moods should make the hair loss worth it". Yeah, just what a depressed, moody, menopausal woman needs is her hair to fall out and go bald to really feel good about herself!!

Needless to say, I do NOT take the depakpote anymore, and have found new Drs.