I know that it is vain, but I am really concerned about the amount of hair that I am losing.  I am 24 and female, and though I am not overly conscious about how I look, the noticable hair loss is really depressing.  I was on propranalol for a year, but have come off them now because of the drowsy side effects being impractical for my job.  This time, I have just stuck to NSAIDs and solpadol (for the past 5 months) as well as the O2, and I wondered if anyone else has noticed this problem or if it is just me. 
I also take 200mg Lamotrigine for epilepsy daily.  I have no idea if that makes a difference.
Could it be painkiller for The Demon related, or is it stress?  Has anyone else heard of this?

Hi Veronica

I'm not sure about the hair loss but understand why that will be affecting you.

However I'm a bit confused by the CH medication you're taking. Propranolol is a good preventive for migraines (I use it for that purpose) but it has limited benefit for CH, especially compared to much better preventives, like verapamil, lithium and topomax.

Using NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti Inflamatory Drugs) and solpadol (codeine / paracetamol) will have very limited impact against the pain of a CH. Pain killers in general just don't touch CH pain, even when you use the strongest narcotics. Oxygen is a much better way to kill off CHs plus also make sure you've some Imitrex / Imigran / Sumatriptan injections too.

Given the medication you're on it is possible that you're working with a doctor who isn't experienced with working with CH as the medications are more migraine focussed. I'd strongly suggest you find a headache specialist with CH skills / experience so that you can get onto medication that will work much, much better.

Also have you looked at the OUCH UK website - START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE They even have a helpline so they can guide you through how the NHS works.

Hi Veronica,
It's possible you could be suffering from Alopecia. Best
to make an appointment too see your doctor.

Hoppy.

Is the hair loss all over your head or localized. I mean obviously if it were, say, over your right eye on your hair-line it could easily be explained. I rub and knuckle and poke at my head during an attack. But seriously localization (or the lack) can help determine the cause. Medication based or stress hair loss would most likely not be localized. Stress pulling in your sleep or repetitive rubbing against the nightstand or pillow due to stress would be localized in one or more spots.