Anyone with HH work as a nurse or similar?

[beckiboo]

Hi all, again im back about how HH is trying to ruin my career ambitions so I got a job as a receptionist at a vets, survived the wet handshakes at the interview and meeting new workmates. Ive got relaxed in my job even though there is alot of people close around me and I have to write and type on the computer in front of people too (cringe!) but its ok! im proud I actually went for it.. but now im looking into eventually going into nursing and im SO scared im not being able to cut it::. Theres alot of close contact when you're working on an animal and im scared of my hot wet hands making me look more nervous than I am - they go really red and noticable! im thinking of asking my GP about glycopyrrolate for work, does anyone think this would help and would my GP pescribe me it?
I've tried ionto and it works, then when I do maintenence HH comes back. I've done this a few times leaving a few months break inbetween..and I also used Driclor on my hands but had an allergic reaction to it (i've got sensitive skin!)
any Ideas/advice much appreciated! and it would be interesting to know if anyone else works in the nursing or any job similar and how you cope.

 

[deadwetter]

Hi Becki - I'm glad the vet job is working out for you. My sister has taught nursing for 20 years so I will ask her about this. She should give me an honest answer so I'll let you know what she thinks after I talk to her. Nursing could be a problem but either way I would definitely investigate the Glyco option. Doctors are funny about treating HH . Many are not as educated about it as we are. Talk to your GP and if you hit a brick wall press him for the prescription. Explain how disruptive the sweating is and how it's holding you back. If your doctor refuses then search for a dermatologist experienced in treating HH and you should have no problem. I had the same concerns when seeing my dermatologist but 60 seconds into my first visit she was writing the script. HH doesn't effect me on the job like it used to since I started the medication. It's not the same as being a nurse but years ago I used to work in a casino dealing craps and blackjack. The hand sweating was crippling when it came to handling the chips. I tried everything possible to fix it and hide it to no avail. The last 2 years there I actually switched to graveyard shift to avoid the heavy action. On grave some times you would go the entire shift without having to deal. It's amazing how controlling HH can be. Anyway, the casino job is long gone but HH is still here. Glyco has made my sweating manageable so I recommend giving it a try. I will post back after I talk to my big sis

 

[beckiboo]

Thanks for the input and sharing how you've coped at work with your HH! you were brave to go for a job where that much attention was focused on your hands! but kudos for not letting HH stop you
I hate thinking I cant do something because of my HH I dont want it to stop me doing vet nursing I have to find a way!! I dont know whether I should discuss this with the clinical director and head nurse when we have a chat about the job in the next few weeks?!? '=

I really hope your sis has some advice for me - thankyou so much for taking the time to ask on my behalf! x

edit:
I JUST FOUND THIS: http://allnurses.com/nurses-disabilities-forum/hyperhidrosis-335344.html good to know there are nurses working with HH out there! and at least with vet nursing my patients wont complain about my HH, itll just be my workmates ill have to hide/explain it to lol! bit of a relief to know im not mad for thinking of doing this too..im gonna go for it big time and use the hints given on that site (using gloves as much as poss and washing hands alot etc, and advice is still much appreciated, the more informed I am the better..plus its interesting to hear how other prople cope with HH at work if anyone else wants to share?? xxx

 

[deadwetter]

Hi Becki - I talked to my sister this morning. She gave me her honest input. Keep in mind that she teaches nursing at Charity Hospital in New Orleans which is for RNs, not vet nurses, so take what you can from it. She can't recall ever teaching a student with diagnosed palmar HH.....but she could have. Some may have had it but were still able to make it through and graduate. She's never gotten any feedback about one of her students going to work at hospital and then being crippled by sweaty hands. She's sure no student ever dropped out because of palmar HH. However she strongly encouraged that you pursue every treatment option available to improve your chances of success. Nursing is a 100% "hands on" career. They are your tools of the trade. Her biggest concern was your ability to maintain a sterile environment during procedures. If your hands sweat enough to leak out of the surgical gloves then the HH could be a problem. Notice she said " a problem" and not a career death sentence. Variables other than the severity of the sweating.....such as frequency, your ability to adapt and overcome, the compassion of the coworkers and vet that you work for, ect, would ultimately determine your degree of success in the field. She encouraged you to be upront about the condition by speaking with the Nursing Director beforehand. I glad to see from your latest post that you did and that it went well. Finally she recommended investigating all possible careers in the veterinary field that interest you before making the personal investment. She reminded me how hard she worked in school to become a nurse. 14 months later she realized that she hated too many aspects of it to continue . She just couldn't handle the blood, HIV needles, patients dying, and so on. That's when she decided to become a teacher and has been at it for 20 years. So choose the path that fits for you, sweaty hands or not, but don't let HH hold you back in any way. Anyway, I hope this helped and good luck from me and sis. Woof Woof

 

[beckiboo]

cheers for the advice and thank your sis on my behalf, im gonna give it a go and see how it goes. The great thing about starting as a nursing assistant is that I gan get a taster before making the commitment. I've been as open as possible and thankfully ive had nothing but encouragement so im staying positive for now. I'd like to look into working for the RSPCA also as an alternative if this doesnt work out.

I've also been to the doctor again, unfortunately my old doctor retired and the new one didnt know a thing about HH - she had to get her book out to look up glycopyrrolate and basicaly said she didnt know enough to pescribe me it so im being refered to a dermatologist again lol gonna give ionto another go but i've always had hit and miss results.

thanks again for your input here youve been a great help!

 

[Stuckwithme]

It feels so crazy to read stuff like this since Botox has "cured" me. I have been blessed I guess. I dont even think about my hands anymore.

 

[driping jon]

hi there .i was out of work ,now i have 3 part time jobs only cleaning,but all 3 key jobs working on my own so it dont matter that im drippin from my head,but i gotto watch the paper work on the desks lol when im polishing the tables ,im now happy in my work,i take prob tabs and kind of worked out the times they kick in on my bus ride to jobs,take care

 

[geordielasstx]

Hello there,

Was reading your post and wanted to let you know I am a dental nurse here in Texas, not working at the moment as my HH got so bad, I have generalized HH and suffer bad from head to toe. I became an embarrassment to me as I had to wear light blue scrubs, face mask. The sweat was just so bad. When doing oral surgery we had to gear up from head to toe and this caused me no end of bother. The sweat would just pour into my eyes making them sting and causing me to mess up.

I have been a stay home Mum now for 3 years and miss dental but don't think I could do chair side again unless I continued to have the Botox and use the products from Klima.

I run a support group for hyperhidrosis and we are growing fast. We are all sufferers and non-profit, all volunteer based.

You can find me and others who all suffer at Very Sweaty Betty

We can advise you on good products and help you cope with HH.

Hugs,

Anne x

 

[geordielasstx]

Hello there,

Was reading your post and wanted to let you know I am a dental nurse here in Texas, not working at the moment as my HH got so bad, I have generalized HH and suffer bad from head to toe. I became an embarrassment to me as I had to wear light blue scrubs, face mask. The sweat was just so bad. When doing oral surgery we had to gear up from head to toe and this caused me no end of bother. The sweat would just pour into my eyes making them sting and causing me to mess up.

I have been a stay home Mum now for 3 years and miss dental but don't think I could do chair side again unless I continued to have the Botox and use the products from Klima.

I run a support group for hyperhidrosis and we are growing fast. We are all sufferers and non-profit, all volunteer based.

You can find me and others who all suffer at Very Sweaty Betty

We can advise you on good products and help you cope with HH.

Hugs,

Anne x