Getting Doctors To Take This Seriously

[handslikeclouds]

I just went into my GP to talk about my frustrations with hyperhidrosis and after the nurse told me to try "rubbing ice on my hands" to cool them off, I knew it was going to be a waste of time. They pretty much said there was nothing they can do for me.

I'm a college student who will be studying abroad next semester and I don't have the time/resources to keep up with iontophoresis, and anti-perspirants just don't work on my hands.

I know that people have had success with certain medications taken by mouth. How can I get my doctors to take me seriously and prescribe me something? I even straight up asked my doctor about the pills I've heard that work and she just told me she couldn't prescribe those for me

It is very frustrating that it seems that doctors aren't well-educated about this disease or aren't willing to take the time to discuss it and treat it seriously. I just want answers.

 

[gg1101]

Do your research. Print stuff off. Take it into your new doctor's office. Note that I said new doctor. If you current doctor isn't taking you seriously, find one who will.

 

[Rickyberkey]

Many people just can't afford to go from doctor to doctor trying to convince them we have this problem and then convincing them about how devastating it can be. It would be very beneficial to have a way to pre-screen a doctor without the expense and the waiting period for an appointment. I'm assuming there is no way to do a medical test for hyperhidrosis.

 

[cobalt_bluester]

Hi, sorry that your doctor doesn't seem to be taking your condition seriously. I would consider seeing another doctor if at all possible.

 

[Jezza]

If seeing another doctor isn't an option maybe just providing your GP with info about HH from a site like sweathelp.org is an option or alternatively if the HH comes on when your there (maybe if your annoyed I always find that 'helps') and pretty much make him/her see it.

I've had (I think most HH sufferers) this problem as well and though my GP I'd say now takes me reasonably seriously I still think most people just can't really imagine what it's like to deal with a serious case of HH...to some extent I just accept that as a fact and try to make my point as well as possible. In fact coincidentally I went to my GP this morning and had a serious bout of lower backsweat and pretty much asked her to just feel it, to get an idea of how heavy the sweating can be in a room with AC and no excersize at all. I'm now thinking that may have been a little too much in your face but hey...it shows what the problem really is and that I'm not making things up.

As for prescriptions go I have on occassion printed out a few medical studies on the meds I wanted to try and their use in HH to my GP. The GP probably hasn't got experience with prescribing these meds for the indication of HH and it helps if you can show it's been done before and you're not seeking to have some kind of med prescribed to you for no apparent reason. If that all fails...change doctors.

Btw I also studied abroad for a while some years ago (Budapest). I had a blast despite the obvious drawbacks of HH in social situations. Only regret I have is not really being able to fully enjoy the company of the indiginous wildlife (as in lots of beautiful women) over there because of the sweating but still easily the best decision I ever made in my life so far to not let the HH stop me from studying abroad.

 

[Jezza]

Many people just can't afford to go from doctor to doctor trying to convince them we have this problem and then convincing them about how devastating it can be. It would be very beneficial to have a way to pre-screen a doctor without the expense and the waiting period for an appointment. I'm assuming there is no way to do a medical test for hyperhidrosis.

Not really...you can do a starch iodine test but if you have visible HH that is gonna be positive. I did this for my palms to identify the area for botox and my whole hand turned dark...I thought well yeah, obviously, like I told ya doc (not my GP in that case)...There are also gravimetric tests to establish just how much fluid you loose but it's kind of indifferent beyond a certain point...

Pretty much if you feel the need to seek medical help for excessive sweating; you have HH.

 

[HHDisturbed]

I know that people have had success with certain medications taken by mouth. How can I get my doctors to take me seriously and prescribe me something? I even straight up asked my doctor about the pills I've heard that work and she just told me she couldn't prescribe those for me

You don't need a prescription for ADVERT (glycopyrrolate) or the Secure Glyco wipes! Check out pharmacy.ca in Canada. It is 100% legal to order these prescription strength meds for HH from the U.S. because they are considered "over-the-counter" in Canada. Plus, it'll save you that big doctor bill!

These meds have worked great for me and many others on this site so I recommend giving them a try.

 

[Modam]

See if there are any specialists in hyperhidrosis at the local universities (in the dermatology department - you can usually look up research/medical interests on the website), and if so, go to him/her. I was lucky enough to find a hyperhidrosis clinic in my midwest city!

If you don't find anyone, then just try a regular dermatologist - going to a primary care doctor is probably a waste of your time. Any dermatologist worth his/her salt should know what hyperhidrosis is. Before I found the clinic I went to a regular ole dermatologist, and he prescribed me glyco, though he wasn't near as knowledgable as the doctors I see now.

 

[86theHH]

Modam is 100% on target with this one. Find a doctor who specializes in HH.

Seek out a dermatologist if you cannot find a doctor who specializes in HH. When you find a dermatologist office, call and ask them if they have handled patients with HH. If they answer yes then go to that office and ask the doctor questions. You should already be fairly knowledgeable with the condition and treatments to know what questions to ask and what treatments are available.

I have generalized HH and severe plantar HH. Medicine alone doesn't cut it for me. I combine iontophoresis using a salt/baking soda water bath and take glycolpyrrolate orally 4-6mg in the morning and 4mg about 6 to 8 hours later in the day.