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Q: Hyperhydrosis
asked by: coolcalmedcollected on February 15th, 2005
New User
Hi i'm new to the forums and I have struggled with hyperhydrosis aka excessive sweating since I was born. My family didn't know much about it... They took me to doctors as a child and they simply told them that there was nothing wrong with me and that I would grow out it but this didn't happen. In fact as I grew older the condition worsened. In my early 20's the situation began to take over my life. I had tests done for my thyroid as well as anxiety and depression screenings. These proved that my thyroid was not the problem. I was diagnosed with borderline personality, excessive anxiety and have suffered from panic attacks. I have been prescrived zoloft, paxil, lexapro , buspar, and seroquel all of which have done nothing to help my hyperhydrosis. Some medications have helped with anxiety but nothing has helped me get rid of or at least control the sweat. The only thing that seems to help control the sweat is drinking alcohol.... Which is not the best choice remedy because alcohol simply helps me losen up in social situations and it also dehydrates me... And it might lead to further problems.
I'm sorry i'm making this soo long but I am looking for some type of support group to help me cope.... I am tired of living with this and the answers are few and far between since less than one percent of the population suffers from this.
I am aware of the operation but this is risky and irreversible.... And botox is pricey and semipermanent.
I would apreciate any help, comments or suggestions.

Thanks!
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Replies(13)
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Lonelygirl
replied on February 16th, 2005
New User
Hi

my husban suffers from hyperhydrosis. His story is much the same as yours, he always had it, but it got worse as he got older.

He was 24 when we began dating. He didn't tell me about it for the first 6 months because he found it embarrassing. When he told me he said it was a huge relief because he had been working so hard to hide it.

My husban at that point was changing his shirts about three times a day, only would wear certain color shirts which wouldn't show so much and usually dressed in layers so his undershirt could gather the sweat without it showing on the outside shirt. The condition was greatly affecting his life.

A year or so later, he saw an ad of a cosmetic firm in the city who were doing a study on the condition. He signed up. He was then diagnosed with hyperhydrosis officially. As part of the study they did botox injections. They worked amazingly! Cured the problem completely. Like you said though, it only lasts for about 6 - 9 months, then he has to get it done again.

It is now 2 1/2 years later and he still has the botox every 6 - 9 months. He is so very happy that he doesn't have to live with the problem anymore.

We were very lucky, we have a good health insurance policy and because he was offically diagnosed with the condition of hyperhydrosis the insurance company pays for the botox 100%. I don't know if you have medical insurance, but it could be worth checking out.

You said that the doctors have linked your hyperhydrosis with anxiety, but from the sounds of it, you are like my husban and he didn't not have any anxiety problems what so ever. This condition is a condition in itself and does not require anxiety to cause it. If you have hyperhydrosis, taking anti depressents will do nothing. If your doctor doesn't know anything about this condition, maybe you need a second opinion.
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coolcalmedcollected
replied on February 16th, 2005
New User
Hyperhidrosis
Yep same story as mine, with the clothes and all.
Thanks for the suggestion, however I do think that this is a condition in itself, I also think that anxiety can trigger and worsen the condition.
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lonelyteardrop
replied on November 16th, 2005
New User
Always Hot And Sweaty
:cry: hi I suffer from hyperhydrosis and it not only is uncomfortable but very embarrasing...It is awful for a social life hoping the person your out with does not want to hold your hand...Affraid that if they do they will not want to again because of the excessive sweaty palms...My armpit have always been sweaty and now that im getting older the sweat will actually run down my arm I can usually tell when it's about to do that so I try to do something to excuss myself and go to the bathroom...I stayed in a abusive relationship for 15 yrs because it did not bother him so made me comfortable with the sweating but didn't make the abuse any better...My younger brothers suffer also one had the surgery done a few yrs back and is happy with the outcome of it..He still sweats a little but says he is comfortable because its not excessive..I fee for all those that suffer from this horrible problem and am open to any suggestions other than surgery...Are there any pills I could take that would help?
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lonelyteardrop
replied on November 17th, 2005
New User
Hyperhydrosis
I was wondering if those who suffer from hyperhydrosis also suffer from mental disorders...I have hyperhydrosis and I am bipolar...I noticed when my anxiety level is up I sweat even more.
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delancey
replied on November 17th, 2005
Experienced User
I get sweaty feet, normally as a result of anxiety,
which doesn't sound too bad it began a year ago, but it's ruined my whole life, now I won't go out anywhere because i'll feel too uncomfortable to enjoy myself, i'm at a loss as to what to do...
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Free at 50
replied on September 6th, 2007
New User
Pill That Works For Me!
I have suffered with hyperhidrosis all my life. Like others, I was told I needed psychiatric help. Finally, finally about 3 1/2 years ago, I saw on a forum similar to this, someone mentioned Robinul Forte. I asked my doctor and he prescribed it. That was 3 1/2 dry and happy years ago! I feel like a different person now. I am definitely more outgoing. I no longer dread meeting people or shaking hands. I can wear anything I want now, all those cute sandals, silky blouses, etc. If I had one word to sum up how I feel, it would be "FREE'.
This medication is not without side effects, but they are minimal compared to the suffering of this condition.
I hope others find this helpful to them. Very Happy
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RestoringK
replied on September 11th, 2007
New User
i had this on my arms/pits andhanda really bad for a tear and a half. i would wake up soaked. i searched and searched on the net to find a 'cure'/

i found on a forum that 1 guy took iron pills as well as a banana a few hours b4 he would meet with his clients and that doing so stopped his sweating. i tried it for a few days and it seemed to stop the excessive sweating, i havent really had it since. i stopped the iron pills a week or 2 after i stopped sweating. im not a doctor so im not saying take iron pills and a banana(potassium in it helps absorb iron in body), im just saying what worked for me. what i would recommend is go to the docs and gt a blood test

. yes i sweat on my hands but it seems normal now.

i really feel 4 u guys tho, i know how it feels
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Akerlny
replied on November 8th, 2007
New User
Hooray!!!!! Finally my excessive armpit sweating is a condition. I've spent the past 25 years embarrassed! not to say how many dollars I've spent on clothing. I just made an appoinment with a Dr.
Does anyone know if Hyperhydrosis is linked to hormones in women?
I'd appreciate any info.
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albundy19
replied on April 22nd, 2008
New User
Hyperhydrosis
Hi all, from reading your posts it makes me remember how miserable having this condition was. I used to suffer from hyperhydrosis under my arms and sometimes on my forehead. I have been free of symptoms for more than 6 years now. I used an antiperspirant that I found online called Maxim antiperspirant. You can use it on other parts of your body as well, palms etc. This stuff gave me my life back, and now I use it only once or twice a week, just to make sure it never comes back. It also started working for me after the first application.
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Hoyt
replied on January 2nd, 2009
New User
hyperhydrosis and eczema
i am 27 years old now i have had hyperhidrosis for as long as i an remember,just like most suffers,i was told its normal to sweat and i shouldn't worry as i would grow out of it as years advanced.Sadly the reality is a far cry from these presuppositions my sweating has persisted and if anything has gotten worse,i have tried every things from antiperspirants to anti-anxieties but nothing seems to work for me.Lets not talk about the social ramifications of the suffers because i know its dire! that aside i just wanted to ask if anyone knows if there is a link between hyperhidrosis and eczema(extreme dryness of the skin accompanied by extreme sensitivity of skin to anyting it comes to contact with)? Anyone wih an idea?
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Rikk
replied on March 18th, 2009
New User
Is the Cause of my Sweating Anexity?
Hi, my name is Rikk and I am a 26 year old male that suffers from excessive sweating of the underarms. "Hi, Rikk".

My story isn't much different than anyone else's. I go through the usual string of super fun nonsense. I've been going through it since I was 16 or 17. You know the drill - changing shirts two and three times a day, sneaking around blow driers to dry out my shirt's underarms when I can, wearing sweatshirts over my t-shirts religiously, normal antiperspirant doing absolutely nothing for me, the embarrassment, etc. High School was brutal.

I've tried the super strong prescription antiperspirant, but it causes rashes and excruciating itching, and usually only serves to moderately reduce my sweating for a day or two. After that, it has no effect whatsoever. I've tried the off the shelf "prescription strength" stuff that's recently become available, too. Nothing. It's a total joke.

I even once bought an e-book for 40 bucks that suggested I buy a luffa sponge and scrub my underarms in the shower, and to avoid using soap. It had the usual length of quotes from happy customers saying it totally stopped their sweating. No change for me.

I've begun to think about when I sweat the most. It's usually in social situations, around other people. It'll sweat through my shirt a moderate amount by myself, like if I'm playing an intense video game or working hard on something, but it's always the worst when I'm around other people. Even just hanging out and relaxing with a friend, laughing and having a good time - I'll sweat buckets in my underarms and it ends up ruining my good time.

Here's the thing though - I don't feel anxious or even a little nervous in these situations, or if I do, I am totally unaware of it.

I'm in the entertainment business, I host a moderately successful internet show (thankfully I wear a thick black costume so the strains don't show) and I am the lead singer in more than one band. I have no problem being in front of large groups of people. In fact, I adore it. I love performing.

So what's my problem? Is it some weird subconscious thing? I will admit I don't enjoy being around most people simply because most of the people I know are through my music contacts and they all like to drink like fish and do drugs and I want no part of those things, but I'm not a total shut in. I'm not agoraphobic. I don't feel like my nerves are shot and I'm having a panic attack around other people. On the other hand, I certainly don't mind being by myself for days at a time so I don't have to worry about sweating in public.

I have noticed in the past my sweating was greatly reduced when I would go out alone with just my (now ex) fiancee. It seems to depend on the person(s) and my relationship with them?

I suppose I should see a doctor and get a physical to see if it might be a thyroid problem or anything, and my mother does have diabetes type 2. But I have a bad history with doctors not listening to me whatsoever about medical issues and blowing off what I tell them, then throwing some half-baked prescription that doesn't help at me to make me go away so they can make their tee-off on the golf course.

Anyone else like me out there?
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Fuzzesox
replied on March 19th, 2009
New User
Helped so far
My doctor prescribed me hypercare/drysol, so far my underarms have been dry, my feet and hands are still working. I feel it's a nerve prob because my child has the same.
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mutters
replied on June 9th, 2009
New User
HH
folks,

this won't help everyone who reads this. but i suffered from this for years (i'm 40 now). i inadvertently found my answer thanks to my wife who had read that supplementing iodine protects against breast cancer (there's a history of it in her family). i decided to supplement at low dosage too (because i worked out i get very little of it in my diet). i supplement at twice the RDA which my own research suggested was absolutely safe and i take it as liquid pottasium iodide. within about 4 weeks of supplemntation my problem had resolved itself. now obviously iodnine affects the thyroid which controls metabolism so there's an obvious link there but i had had a recent thyroid function screen and it was normal. so go figure. anyway, my point is, for something so simple may be it's worth giving it a try.
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