Glycopyrrolate Questions!!! (And my HH Story)

[averagejoe]

First of all, I just wanted to say a big hello to the rest of you out there! So, I'm a hyperhidrosis sufferer (mostly from the scalp, forehead, and neck). I wasn't very perceptive about my sweating problem at first and usually just chose to ignore it at times, but there was one incident in my life that turned my life upside down. So one morning when I woke up to go to school, I noticed that I had overslept! I hurried and got ready, and was out the door in a minute. To my dismay, I had missed the bus by only a few seconds. With no other choice, I decided to jog to school. Now usually when I'm exercising, I tend to sweat profusely, but I get so into my workout that I simply do not care. And this sweating really didn't affect my social life... yet.This time it was different. I jogged a little over half a mile to get to school, and to my surprise, I made it in time for my first class. As I entered the classroom and took my seat, I noticed I got a lot of stares. Then the dreaded questioning began. "Are you OK?" or "Dude, you're soaked! What happened to you?" and of course, the "WHY THE HECK ARE YOU SWEATING?!?!?" (In front of the whole class). I noticed that the top half of my t-shirt was wet and that my face was moist and my hair was dripping (my sweat comes in the shape of raindrops and just starts to roll down my face with more to come). I tried to explain to my fellow class mates that I had missed the bus and my only option left was to run to school. Everyone understood my reason, but most of them were only concerned about my sweating. The more stares I got and the more murmurs that went around the classroom, the more I started sweating. It was as if the whole world were caving in on me, and I wanted to get out of there so bad. As a last resort, I asked my teacher if I could go to the clinic because of a sick stomach. He fell for it, and out the door I went. I later phoned home and was escorted back to my house. The following day, I returned to class with a dry t shirt and a dry head. The stares and murmurs went around as it did the other day, and the sweating started to begin again. Only this time, I wasn't soaked to the bone already, and had the chance to wipe away little beads of sweat that started to form on my forehead.

After that day, I haven't really been the same. I hardly talk to my friends and spend most of my time indoors. And when ever I do meet people, that anxiety of sweating comes back and I just start sweating all over again (Not as much as exercising though, but still pretty bad).

So anyways, I've been looking through the forums, and found that glycopyrrolate works for the majority of the people. I just want to stop sweating during social events, so I thought this might be the perfect temporary cure for me. I just received medical insurance and am going to visit the doctor very soon to see if he can prescribe me with some glycopyrrolate. I do have a couple of questions that I would like to ask all of you.

1) Does anyone know how or where to get this stuff cheaper? I mean it's like $50 a month!!!!!

2) How effective is it for you? I'd like to hear you're experiences with it.

3) Are there any other treatments for craniofacial hyperhidrosis?

I'm so embarrassed by this, I mean it doesn't really physically hinder me, but just mentally and emotionally drains me. This stress usually concerns my parents too, and that makes me more bummed knowing that my parents have to deal with me. Some days I just feel like dying. I hope one day they find a cure for this, so we can all just go leading our daily lives like the way it was meant to be, insteaed of hiding in the shadows. ::

 

[hyp-hi]

Hi averagejoe, welcome to the forums. That was a good story you shared. I guess the moral of the story is, don't run to class But seriously that is good advice, not to do any kind of physical activity before you have to sit on a class or meeting of some kind.

For your questions:
1. Are you getting the generic Glycopyrrolate? With insurance it shouldn't be that much. Mine is $15 for 60 2mg tablets.

2. It has been helpful to me in the past, but now I don't take it often. I use iontophoresis as my main treatment. I only take the Glyco if the sweat is really bothering me or if I know I am going to be in a stressful situation where I might sweat more than usual.

3. I don't have cranial HH, but for other treatments, I think there are wipes that are suppose to help. Others may have more suggestions on this one.

 

[pebblesdundee]

Hi, and welcome to the site

 

[averagejoe]

Hi averagejoe, welcome to the forums. That was a good story you shared. I guess the moral of the story is, don't run to class But seriously that is good advice, not to do any kind of physical activity before you have to sit on a class or meeting of some kind.

For your questions:
1. Are you getting the generic Glycopyrrolate? With insurance it shouldn't be that much. Mine is $15 for 60 2mg tablets.

2. It has been helpful to me in the past, but now I don't take it often. I use iontophoresis as my main treatment. I only take the Glyco if the sweat is really bothering me or if I know I am going to be in a stressful situation where I might sweat more than usual.

3. I don't have cranial HH, but for other treatments, I think there are wipes that are suppose to help. Others may have more suggestions on this one.

Thank you for the helpful feedback hyp-hi. I just checked the pharmacy.ca website that everyone recommends on this site and it's about $74 for the 100 capsule container and $37 for the 50 capsule container. I'm curious as to know where you can get generic glycopyrrolate?

 

[hyp-hi]

Where are you located? If you are in the US, any pharmacy should be able to get it.

 

[averagejoe]

I do live in the US specifically Florida. And when you mean any pharmacy, do you mean like CVS?

 

[Sprawling]

In other words, best you see your family doctor or a dermatologist. Inform them that yo have done your research and you would like to be prescribed Rubinul, Advert or whatever generic form of Glycopyrrolate you can obtain. Only a doctor can prescribe this medication in the US. The generic form should be fairly cheap.

 

[hyp-hi]

I do live in the US specifically Florida. And when you mean any pharmacy, do you mean like CVS?

Yes, they should have it if you have a prescription. They might not have it in stock because it is not that popular but they can order it within a few days.

 

[margiehope]

Hi joe, and welcome!

I've used Avert--Cdn. brand of glyco--for many years, and it's been a godsend. There are glyco wipes, as someone else mentioned. I started with them--helpful for forehead/neck, but not head/hair (why I got started on the meds). Antiperspirants help some, but again there's a problem for head/hair.
It's really hot and humid where I am right now--I use the meds, and a wipe on my neck/back of head. Still sweat a bit if it's really hot, but a bit is OK.

 

[margiehope]

It's worth checking whether your medical insurance will pay for some of the meds.

I paid for my pills for years, assuming they weren't covered. Then someone on one of our forums mentioned he was covered. So I checked, and my plan will pay for the meds--well,
60% of the cost, but that saves me a bundle in a year.

So, worth checking.

Good luck!

 

[averagejoe]

Hi joe, and welcome!

I've used Avert--Cdn. brand of glyco--for many years, and it's been a godsend. There are glyco wipes, as someone else mentioned. I started with them--helpful for forehead/neck, but not head/hair (why I got started on the meds). Antiperspirants help some, but again there's a problem for head/hair.
It's really hot and humid where I am right now--I use the meds, and a wipe on my neck/back of head. Still sweat a bit if it's really hot, but a bit is OK.

Glad to hear your experiences with glycopyrrolate have been positive. Did you also have to increase your daily dosage after a year or two? Also do the effects start to wear off gradually over time? (Hopefully by that time, I'll be able to get over this nightmare and just live with it without the meds.) My only concern at the moment is whether or not glycopyrrolate will be suitable for me. My biggest fear would be getting all pumped up about this medicine, realizing it doesn't work for me ::

 

[averagejoe]

Yes, they should have it if you have a prescription. They might not have it in stock because it is not that popular but they can order it within a few days.

Thanks for the help hyp-hi. I'm meeting up with my doctor in 5 days, and school is about to start in 3 1/2 weeks. Wish me luck

 

[margiehope]

Happy to say I haven't had to increase my dosage (though I vary it depending on weather/level of activity).
People's reactions to any of the meds are highly individual--and a bit different from day to day. If glyco isn't the one for you, there are others.

 

[husky337]

Hey fellas,

Also just got 60 2mg tablets of glycopyrolate today or otherwise known as Robinul Forte from my dermatologist. I am supposed to take 2 2mg pills a day as needed max, but I am still going to hold out for 2 more weeks to see if ionto is going to do anything for me.

What I wanted to ask about is I am well aware of the potential side effects and problems glyco can cause but what I am most concerned about is the decreased sweat, while yes this is exactly what I so desperately want, it will inhibit my ability to vigorously exercise or at least that is what my doctor told me. I have been an avid 'weight lifter' and runner and typically do both every day or every other day, living in a very warm climate here in Texas. Do any of you have any experience with glyco and exercise? Will chugging cold water help at all? I mean the exercise I am doing is not something insane or something that makes me look like I'm hemorraging my brain but it is pretty focused and I definitely sweat a ton when I do it.

 

[margiehope]

Hey fellas,

Also just got 60 2mg tablets of glycopyrolate today or otherwise known as Robinul Forte from my dermatologist. I am supposed to take 2 2mg pills a day as needed max, but I am still going to hold out for 2 more weeks to see if ionto is going to do anything for me.

What I wanted to ask about is I am well aware of the potential side effects and problems glyco can cause but what I am most concerned about is the decreased sweat, while yes this is exactly what I so desperately want, it will inhibit my ability to vigorously exercise or at least that is what my doctor told me. I have been an avid 'weight lifter' and runner and typically do both every day or every other day, living in a very warm climate here in Texas. Do any of you have any experience with glyco and exercise? Will chugging cold water help at all? I mean the exercise I am doing is not something insane or something that makes me look like I'm hemorraging my brain but it is pretty focused and I definitely sweat a ton when I do it.

I do aerobics several days a week--not that intense--still sweat a little, but my face is bright red after--obviously I'm overheating. Hydrating is obviously important.
Someone whose exercise routine ins more like yours could probably give better advice. I'd probably lower the dose before exercising, or take it after.

 

[averagejoe]

Hey fellas,

Also just got 60 2mg tablets of glycopyrolate today or otherwise known as Robinul Forte from my dermatologist. I am supposed to take 2 2mg pills a day as needed max, but I am still going to hold out for 2 more weeks to see if ionto is going to do anything for me.

What I wanted to ask about is I am well aware of the potential side effects and problems glyco can cause but what I am most concerned about is the decreased sweat, while yes this is exactly what I so desperately want, it will inhibit my ability to vigorously exercise or at least that is what my doctor told me. I have been an avid 'weight lifter' and runner and typically do both every day or every other day, living in a very warm climate here in Texas. Do any of you have any experience with glyco and exercise? Will chugging cold water help at all? I mean the exercise I am doing is not something insane or something that makes me look like I'm hemorraging my brain but it is pretty focused and I definitely sweat a ton when I do it.

Hey husky337! I'm happy to hear that you've got some glycopyrrolate in your arsenal to combat hyperhidrosis and I hope all goes well. Yes, the medication can affect your exercise routine because the medication will cause your body to overheat since your body is inhibiting it's cooling mechanism (aka sweat). It's always important to keep your body hydrated in exercise as it regulates body temperature and keeps fluid levels in check (Tip: Pour water over your head when you feel like your head is too hot to handle as the medication will affect mostly with your head. Your brain is an important part of your body and damage to it can cause long term effects. Water cools the body down faster than cool air or shade.) I've heard it's a bad idea to take 4mg of glyco before exercise. I think 2 mg should be fine, or better yet just don't take any at all that day.

 

[husky337]

Yeah Joe I hear ya, I have always lifted weights at night anyways but it was the running during the day that worries me, I drink plenty of water even with the sweat right now during exercise so I guess I am going to have to just drink even more if I exercise while not sweating.

The doc said that with glyco there isn't an on off switch where you take it and you stay dry for 4-6 hours then boom you are back to normal sweating which is what I asked because I hope to take 1 2mg pill in the morning, then if that can keep me dry for my classes and up to the mid-late Afternoon then I wouldn't need to take another one giving my body some time before I workout at night. But if I take a 2mg in the morning and 2mg in the afternoon then workout at night that still might be a bit tough although I haven't started the medication yet as I am still holding out for my iontophoresis machine 1 more week. Either way I am getting desperate now to fix my hands and feet problem, but deep down inside I am praying that the meds work if my ionto doesn't, because I think that I might just sweat all over more easily. While my feet and hands are the worst, my armpits are definitely second with my forehead just sweating a bit more than normal when working out or only to heat, not to anxiousness or being nervous like my hands and feet. The ionto will only address my hands and feet while the glyco should contain all 4 areas for me.

 

[Idlewild]

I get my glycopyrrolate as a topical solution compounded by someone in the middle-east and then sent to my pharmacist (I live in Canada). A 0.5% solution of 30ml costs me about $50 and lasted me about two months, more if I didn't use it as often. I only really used it when I was going to school and before big social situations. My biggest concern is facial sweating and 0.5% works for me, but I do have to use it for 2-3 days before I get a really comfortable level of dryness. It was completely covered by my private insurance company. I got this prescription from my family doctor based on a pubmed article, which he showed to the pharmacist in his spare time (what a great guy!)

I recently filled a prescription from my dermatologist for a stronger dose, 1%, and that cost $97 but the bottle was almost double, 50ml. This stuff is really amazing for me, I put it on before bed and the next day I am at the same level of dryness that 2-3 days of the 0.5% got me. I prefer topical because it seems safer than ingesting pills constantly for a long period, if not the rest of your life.

$97 may seem steep but I could see it lasting 2 months of regular use and thats not really bad at all, especially with how much of an issue hyperhidrosis can be for us.

As well, I even feel like its mechanism of action helps to reduce my anxiety and thus my sweating. Instead of blocking the sweat from coming out, it reduces the signals from the nerves to sweat and therefore I don't have to think "oh no im sweating the medicine will wash away" and that would normally make me sweat more. If you use this medication at night, even if you do start sweating during the day it will still work as it should because sweating won't reduce its effectiveness.

hope this helps!