My dr ran every test under the sun and its still falling out. Only thing abnormal was liver enzymes but i have a fatty liver so they always r on the high side. Been off of cymbalta for almost a week if its the drug when will this problem get better? Just made apt with dermatolgist. My orthopedic surgeonput me on cymbalta to help with pain I am 30 years old and have had two spinal fusions on s1 l5 l4. In cronic pain 24-7
Was on cymbalta for three months and have lost over half of hair?
Question posted by afisc9 on 5 Aug 2013
Last updated on 1 September 2013
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4 Answers
lmchotrod
11 Aug 2013
Dear afics9, It seems as though you've received many helpful responses to your question but I still felt I needed to throw in my two cents worth; as this possible cause was not mentioned. By the by let me mention that not only do I suffer w/ many deg.spinal cond.,I also have a fatty liver(that results in raised liver enzymes)and was on Cymbalta(for depression but helped greatly w/pain assoc. spinal problems and fibromyalgia)and had no side effects incl. hair loss. HOWEVER,last year I began noticing large amounts of hair in my shower drain.It didn't take long for it to be noticeable on my head. I went to my dermatologist who ran all the appr. tests. It turns out that if a person undergoes a very stressful or traumatic event that about 3 mths.(roughly) later they can lose(usually 40,but up to 60 %) of their hair.
There is a name for this but I can't recall it at the moment.If this turns out to be the case w/ you, don't worry it will come back.(it has something to do w/the 3 phases of the hair found on our heads) Minoxydil was a great help for me in speeding up the re-growth as it increases the amount of time your hair spends in the growth time of the cycle.(my hair is now thicker then ever before in my life) OK,sorry its so long of a response but I wanted you to have the info. in case it applied.All my best wishes for you and your health,LISA
afisc9
11 Aug 2013
Thanks for your response! Just got four inches cut off hair been off of cymalta for almost two weeks and its still falling out have a apt sept 5 with derm dr guess we will see what he has to say. Also going to twin city spine center in mn to see if they have to say the same about my back as two local drs. Really don't want a third back surgery. I had one sept 2011 sept 2012. I would have to say ddd is the worst thing that has ever happened to me. Where do you get minoxydil?
lmchotrod
1 Sep 2013
Dear afics9, I am so sorry that I'm answering your follow-up question more then 3wks. after you posted it!! I'm very sorry to hear things hadn't gotten any better for you at the time you posted your response. The answer is that minoxydil is the generic name for Rogaine. I've found the cheapest place to purchase it for me is at Walmart. I get the store brand (which sit's right beside the Rogaine in the hair product aisle that has the conditioners) which is identical in ingredients and only runs about $10 here in Florida. That's a 30 day supply but I find it lasts me about 6wks. Comes in diff. forms, but I've found the liquid to be my favorite.Whatever form you choose you don't have to worry about your hairstyle because once it dries you can't even tell you used anything.Good Luck with everything!! Lisa
endlessPred
5 Aug 2013
Here is your information regarding skin and scalp issues. Alopecia is hair loss.
Dermatologic
Dermatologic side effects including hyperhidrosis (6% to 8%), and increased sweating (6%) have been reported. Night sweats, pruritus, and rash have been reported frequently. Contact dermatitis, acne, alopecia, cold sweat, ecchymosis, eczema, erythema, face edema, increased tendency to bruise, cutaneous reactions, and photosensitivity reaction have been reported infrequently. Serious skin reactions including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome that have required drug discontinuation and/or hospitalization have been reported with duloxetine (the active ingredient contained in Cymbalta) Erythema multiforme and urticaria have also been reported.
I suggest that anyone who has experienced this should file a report. Too many responses here for the idea of occasionally. If you need to show your doctor, do a printout. This information is from the site under professional tab. Many interesting things there.
braydensnana
6 Aug 2013
I started losing my hair and had been on Cymbalta for 6 months. I thought it was from my low cortisol. I have been off almost 3 months and it is still falling out. I will call the company. Any body have any idea how long it takes your hair to stop falling out after Cymbalta? That's the pits. But I know every drug has side effects.
endlessPred
6 Aug 2013
The up side on this is that this often reaches a stopping point, might be soon, and then the follicles will rest. New hair will appear, I hope, and you will be better. Your thyroid was checked? That is another source for this problem. It isn't always easy to know what is happening simultaneously. That is why the doctor can't pin point it. Mine shed strongly from thyroid. Came back wavy. Hang in there.
How long is up to your body. Every seven years or so, hair starts shedding at a fast rate. This is a natural process. Once rested, new hair comes back.
braydensnana
6 Aug 2013
Yea! Counting on it. thanks
amy_carver7904
5 Aug 2013
I lost some of my hair also but my doctor told me that is was due to all of my surgerys but I don't think that is what caused it I think it was Cymbalta
lady2882
5 Aug 2013
I know a number of people this happened to and once they stopped taking it and it got out of their system the hair loss stopped.
afisc9
5 Aug 2013
My last back surgery was last Sept they tried telling me that was my problem too. I am praying the hair loss slows down and what I have lost grows back I won't even blow dry my hair cuz I am so scared of loosing any more then I have already lost. Thanks for your response!
lady2882
5 Aug 2013
Cymbalta can cause hair loss and high live enzymes so it is good that you are now off it.
You will need to find something else for the chronic pain. I have tried a number of meds for my chronic pain and not had any luck finding anything that works without major side effects since Amitriptyline stopped working.
afisc9
5 Aug 2013
I loved amitriptyline beside the weight gain. So I stopped taking that one too. But I did seem to help me a lot. Wish I could just wake up one morning and feel good again. Thanks for your response.
lady2882
5 Aug 2013
Yes I wish I could wake up one morning and no longer have the constant pain too. It is difficult to live with and not something you get used to.
Take care
kaismama
5 Aug 2013
I'd be happy if I could just give it all away for a week, lolol
Related topics
cymbalta, back pain, chronic pain, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, liver, liver disease
Further information
- Cymbalta uses and safety info
- Cymbalta prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Cymbalta (detailed)
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