Hyperhidrosis has fucked up my life

[gg1101]

Listen, don't let it get you down. I have suffered from underarm HH since I was in 8th grade, and face HH too, although I just thought my face sweated a lot. I only put a name to it a few years ago, and tried lots of shit before I found something that worked. Despite my sweaty armpits and sweaty face, I still have slept with more women than I can even remember. I wore a lot or black or white clothing or fabrics that you can't sweat through. I got really good at hiding it. I do what is called the sweat test when I buy clothes. I put the garment in my mouth for like 5 seconds when noone is looking and if i can see a wet mark on it, I don't buy it. I recently got an iontophorisis underarm drionic and it has kept me dry in the armpits for 3 days. I won't go buy a new wardrobe just yet, as I want to see how long this lasts. My face still sweats, and I buy those packs of small shop towels from wal-mart automotive and carry one around most of the time to wipe my head and face. I have a buzz cut so I don't have to worry about it fucking up my hair. Chicks seem to dig the Justin Timberlake look. Also, nice ta tas on your old lady in those pics posted. This must be a genetic disorder, because me and you have the same nose, so I bet we are related. My last resort for this disease is to move to a place with a really hot temperature, so that everyone will be sweating, and I won't be so noticeable. California anyone?

 

[AnonymousGirl]

Take this from someone who's realized this the hard way - it's imperative to deal with your problems and make the most of life's opportunities.

I have a very mild case of hyperhidrosis on my hands, but I have every other disorder known to man. From metabolic disorders, to respiratory disorders, to dermatological disorders, to a severe anxiety disorder that has severely hindered my ability to cope with these problems.

I would pick hyperhidrosis over the other conditions I've got any day, so consider yourself lucky. As far as I'm concerned there is no reason why hyperhidrosis should limit your educational opportunities to such a great extent, because I have it a lot worse than you and I got myself into medical school.

 

[nervousnelly]

Wasted potential, I know your thread was started in Jan. but I just came across, why do you feel you still cannot go to school, or do something positive with your life, just because you sweat? I have HH all over, yes it is a pain in the butt, Honey you are still SO young, you still have your whole life ahead of you, you can still do or be anything you want. First you need to visit your Dr. and tell them EVERYTHING that bothers you, it could be as simple as some meds that you need. Then please go back to school or a vocational school to learn a trade, you are not wasted potential, only you decide the outcome of your life. I will pray for you, ask God for help.

 

[Sophie67]

Hey "Wastedpotential"
Just wanted to drop you a note here, maybe things youve heard before,
but this is coming to you from someone who has hyperhydrosis as well, so I hope you listen. I am forty years old, and first noticed mine in the third grade. I didnt even know what it was until just a couple of years ago. My son who is seventeen also has it (palmar) and has recently let it consume his life, hold him back from living, and keeping a girlfriend that he really liked. I bought all the stuff from "Shannons video" and he is on his second day. I hope it helps him, and maybe you might try this as well.
Anyway.
Sometimes we can sit and dwell on something, and I do understand, believe me I do. But when you take the focus off yourself, and the pressure, and actually do things to live your life, your hyperhydrosis might actually settle down a bit, and you will be too busy to allow it to consume you and bother you as much.
I personally do not worry about what other people think about it what so ever, it is a condition, nothing to be embarrast about, and it does not define who you are. I do understand being your age though, and how it bothers you. But like I said, I was too busy living my life, working, getting married, having kids, yada yada, to allow it to consume me, or even pay much attention to it. Like I said, mine started when I was about 9 years old, and I didnt even know what it was!
Ive shook hands with people, felt embarrast for one seconds, but then just carry on and forget about. In fact after this many years, I dont like it, but I dont really care. I will even tell people "oh my hands sweat" and smile, if I shake their hand. I havent noticed a single person even wince or care. And if I ever did, I wouldnt care, Id just decide that they were ignorant, and carry on.
I suggest that you stop being embarrast first off. It is nothing to be embarrast of at all, its simply a medical condition, not anything your doing wrong. Its not life threatening, and it does not hurt anyone at all.
Im sure your a great person, and to waste your precious time and mind on this is the saddest part. Again, but I do understand. What Im saying is, that you need something to do, and you need to get started living again right away. And if you sweat, you sweat, stop caring and focus on something else. I know I make it sound easy, but it is easy, or easier when your too busy living to be consumed by it.
Do what you can to help it, then carry on with life. Looking outside of yourself and doing things to focus on and help others helps a lot too.
You might consider that as well.
Seriously, I have seen many people with by far worse conditions and diseases than hyperhydrosis who live their lives, happy lives, and I do not judge them, I admire them! For they could sit in a basement and wallow about it and be consumed and waste their talents, love, and life they have to share, but instead they choose to use the abilities they have to live their lives.

It is a choice my friend. And I suggest you choose to start living!
Others do not notice as you do either, trust me on that. And if they do, they really dont care, its the person you are that matters to most people.
If there is anyone who cares about your sweat, they are petty, small people, who arent worth your time. But I doubt you will find too many of those anyway. REALLY!

For the most part, I have over the years been too busy living my life to let it consume me. I have had far worse things to worry about, and so I do understand allowing something to consume you, and stop you from living your life.

Lately, my hands only sweat part of the day. Maybe my sweat glands are wearing out.... after so many years of this, lol

The other day I was at the bank, opening a business account, and as I said, I pay no attention to my hands at all, and I didnt even realize they were sweating until I went to sign papers. I noticed it for that second, but as I have always done, It was just noticing that. I carried on with my business, NO ONE ELSE NOTICED my sweaty hands, and I forgot all about it.

I joined this site for my son, because like you, he is letting it consume him, and stop him from living his full life. He recently took my advice the best he could, and is working, hanging out with a friend, skating, and trying to focus on other things, as well as just trying what he can to help with the sweating.

I hope I have helped you in some way to change your mind, and to realize that this should not stop you from anything. Its a choice to live despite this condition, which is just that, a condtion that in he grand scheme of things isnt worth losing sleep over.

Bless you
Sophie

 

[hinder87]

sophie, very well said. thanks for sharing your story and reading it (your successes etc) gave me a confidence boost.

 

[pfreak]

Sometimes symptoms are better

I know most people feel it's better to sweat a lot than to have terminal cancer or horrific acne or something else but I've got to say I don't think so. I've been suffering for over 15 years, have sweaty hands, feet, underarms, back, torso, face and the #1 problem I have is getting anyone to understand it's a problem. If I had cancer at least people wouldn't expect more from me than I can physically give. My job involves networking and pressing palms, something I can't do so my problem has destroyed my career not to mention every relationship I've been in since it started.

It's one thing to not worry about how others perceive you, it's quite another to always feel uncomfortable. As I type this my feet are soaked, my armpits are dripping coldly down my sides and my fingers leave water on the keyboard. All I want to do is go home, shower and put on loose fitting clothing. I've tried acupuncture, botox, a variety of meds, even ECT and have zero relief. I don't see myself living a full life like this. The past 15 years have been a struggle I'm not willing to go through again. How many people have we lost to this problem? I'm surprised by the lack of understanding in some of the posts here. It's nice to say "don't let it get you down". Nice, but not helpful.

I have yet to speak to one single doctor that understands or has even heard of this condition. I educate them all and they all minimize the problem. Wasted, I hear you. No one can live up to their potential with this problem, it's not possible.

 

[Sophie67]

Pfreak,

Yes, I do agree that enough isnt known about it, and the public is not educated about it. If they were, it might not be as embarrassing, as well as there might be more research into the cause and a cure.
Yes, I do understand, I have it as well as I mentioned. And maybe I have let it hold me back a little, but more so I sould say its my nervousness that goes with it. I seriously believe it is a nerves system disorder, at least the is my uneducated scientific guess. As everyone I know with hyperhydrosis, myself included, has anxiety, high strung personality, worry types, and full of nervous energy. I think there is a link that is being missed because no one cares to do the research.
Maybe someone should write to Dr. Phil about it, he has such an impact on the public, and it might bring it to the attention of the medical profession, and scientists to discover the cause, and therefor a cure.
Believe me, I would love for my sweat to stop as well.
I wasnt trying to down play it at all.
What I was saying, is that we have it, there is only so much we can do about it, and that somehow we have to live up to our best lives the best we can, instead of wallowing in misery over it. IT is a medical condition, not a personal fault. And although it is embarrassing at times, the embarrasment can be overcome, I know it can be, because I have overcome mine 99%.
Best wishes to you, and everyone,
Sophie

 

[WastedPotential]

Re: Sometimes symptoms are better

I have yet to speak to one single doctor that understands or has even heard of this condition. I educate them all and they all minimize the problem. Wasted, I hear you. No one can live up to their potential with this problem, it's not possible.

I haven't been to a doctor in years for it, but yeah, even after this whole time, my family STILL says 'it's all in your head, c'mon!'

:roll:

sophie, you are a nice person, but maybe a little too optimistic, haha.
thanks for the kind words and thoughts, regardless.
what I wouldn't give for my sweating to concentrate solely on my palms/hands...

 

[surfsider]

Hey guys, i know how you're feeling. I've had HH most likely since I was a kid although I don't remember caring or letting it bother me until after high school at around 18. My hands tend to sweat more when I hold on to things for a long time like a video game controller or computer mouse. It's also brought on a lot by anxiety. I recommend hydrosal gel for the hands and underarms. My underarms never sweat and only get moist in 85 degree weather or above after using this stuff but my hands it's a little harder to control although my palms are mostly dry it's just my fingertips that can get sweaty. I don't know how bad you guys have it but I would classify mine as Moderate. I went to a doctor who does ETS here in Southern California and he told me that I have a 6 or 7 on a 1-10 scale but his opinion could be biased since he probably does want me to have the surgery to make money but he seemed like a decent guy. Anyways, if you want a doctor who knows how to treat hyperhidrosis i suggest you go to sweathelp.org and click on the physician finder which lists doctor's who are aware of hyperhidrosis and its treatments. Next thing I'm going to try is iontophoresis since i mainly have my problem on my hands and feet. Surgery scares me since you are essentially destroying nerves and changing you're anatomy to change the pathways of sweating.

 

[AnonymousGirl]

Re: Sometimes symptoms are better

I'm surprised by the lack of understanding in some of the posts here. It's nice to say "don't let it get you down". Nice, but not helpful.

I have yet to speak to one single doctor that understands or has even heard of this condition. I educate them all and they all minimize the problem. Wasted, I hear you. No one can live up to their potential with this problem, it's not possible.

I did not mean to be insensitive, but I don't believe people should dwell on their problems or be overly self-conscious like this boy is. What happens to such people in the end is tragic. You have to deal with your problems and find a way to move on. If you don't, you're going to be the one with no job, no relationship and no life. Your ONE problem (of sweating too much) will give you ten problems in the end and will ruin your whole life.

 

[striker]

Simple way to control HH is

Your body gets too hot ( Hot food, meat, eggs, Tension, anger, Social Pressure etc..)

It tries to cool it by sweating.

So try to cool it ( fruits, water melons, coconut etc)

 

[Miss-Understood]

Hey, ive only just found this site....
I didn't know what this excess sweating thing was called untill about a week ago when my doctor told me!!

I'm 19 and during school I suffered terribly, I always felt awkward and must have looked it too. I don't think people who suffer understand what an impact it actually has on ur life....

I hate not being able to wear certain clothes, relax when i'm out with my friends more importantly relax when i'm at work cos im 100% all the time conscious of it!! and it BIG TIME screws up ur confidence. I'm not too sure what my options are, my mum has had the botox injections and doesn't suffer at all .... but my doctor says they're not on the NHS yet her refered my mum !?!?!

I'm trying to see if this is available on bupa but can't seem to find much info..... anyone got any tips or wants a chat i'm up for talking..... sorry to ramble and probably say all the things u guys already have

 

[k98_man]

Yep. F**** my highschool life over quite a bit too, but I gotta look on the positive. First off, the girls in highschool are in large part immature and not good for long lasting relationships. So instead of wasting your time with them, enjoy life, study hard and do well in school. By the time you're all nice and educated the immature girls are around, but not everywhere and you can pick someone up.

I don't know what to tell you except don't let HH win.

 

[nico82]

I've had it forever too and I always thought it was because of my anxiety and because I was fat. Even now after I lost a whole bunch of weight my sweating levels remain the same. Also I never thought it was a treatable condition, I want to see which treatment I can try.

 

[blabla]

I can relate to you about the part where parents simply can't understand it. I mean, I remember screaming "No! It is NOT normal! Normal people don't sweat when it's snowing outside for fuck's sake!" at a family gathering with all my aunts, uncles and cousins present. They all looked at me like I was crazy. Because none of them have the same problem and they thought I was making a big deal out of it. And the fact that they kept saying "I sweat too. Everyone sweats!" was just driving me crazy. (No kidding!! Everyone sweats?? Nah...) I wanted to strangle someone everytime I heard that.

Finally though, I managed to convince mum to take me to a doctor to get botox treatment (and that's only cause I wanted to go for ETS and my parents were hysterical about it, so they proposed botox). Anyways the doctor did a test to see how bad my sweating was, and she was really shocked to see the results.

And at that moment, the expression on my mum's face was... just... PRICELESS!! She even topped it up with an apology going "So all this time she was telling the truth, and we didn't listen to her." It was really satisfying So get your parents' ass to a doctor and let them see for themselves! There are cures.

 

[cm123]

Re: Hyperhidrosis has ****ed up my life

For about $10 you can build you own ionto machine. It works for about 99% of HH sufferers and you can use this as a temporary fix or permanent fix until you find something you like better. Either way though, this cure will work! You just have to start a regiment, I would do it for 45min daily for 4 weeks and then 45min once a week.

YouTube - Re: Cure Sweaty Hands, Palms, Hyperhidrosis, Hyperhydrosis

http://www.socialphobiaworld.com/how-i-cured-my-hyperhydrosis-for-free-12738/

 

[WastedPotential]

Re: Hyperhidrosis has ****ed up my life

Mine is primarily the face.

I'm curious what the effects would be like if dunked my head in the water, or however the ionto machine works...not brave enough for it though.

 

[blabla]

Re: Hyperhidrosis has ****ed up my life

Wow, Sophie... That was like a South Park conclusion speech. I actually feel better.

 

[redbicycle]

Re: Hyperhidrosis has ****ed up my life

WastedPotential:
What triggers your hyperhidrosis? For me it is the normal things of exercise, and heat., but the response to those triggers seems excessive.
I suffer from hyperhidrosis on the face, back and groin areas. I don't really sweat heavily from the hands, feet and armpits.

I suppose I am lucky compared to some in that it doesn't affect me when sat at a desk in normal temperatures, so daily life in a desk job is fine.

For me, it is just the fact that it spoils my enjoyment of active pursuits like walking. I do try to not let it deter me though. I went hillwalking last weekend and found myself dripping with sweat from my face as we walked uphill. Although I am a little overweight, I am of about average fitness. Also my back was sweaty because I was wearing a rucksack. I find it uncomfortable having a sweaty back, and the only way to partially avoid it is to wear only the baselayer on top, but sometimes it's too cold and windy for that to be comfortable.

I actually find cycling better in many ways, you have exposure to the wind generated by motion, which on a not too humid day is good for evaporating sweat. And I put any luggage on the bike rather than on my back so the uncomfortable sweaty back is less of an issue as long as I wear appropriate clothing (a wicking fabric cycling jersey/baselayer rather than a cotton T-shirt)

I'm actually going on a cycling tour of Scotland and a bit of England (John O' Groats to Newcastle) at the end of the month.

The gym is OK, since although I drip with sweat, it's not unusual to be sweaty there. I do still be careful to wear a dark blue wicking baselayer on which the sweat doesn't show up rather than say a grey cotton T-shirt). And of course there is the opportunity to shower.

 

[LaLaLa]

Re: Hyperhidrosis has ****ed up my life

My hands and feet sweat the most, it's rreally annoying because I have to always wipe my hands when I'm trying to do things otherwise they would start to drip... and I'm getting the keyboard all wet right now. :\ There was a time when I was extremely anxious and didn't sleep for days whlie my hands sweated nonstop for those few days straight, they started to sting and get all wrinkly.