Just been prescribed glycopyrrolate

[beckiboo]

Hey all, so finally after a long time of going through different options with different doctors, one being going for botox in Nottingham, i've been prescribed glycopyrrolate 1mg tablets with a doseage of 2 x tablets three times daily. Although it was stressed to me that long term daily use could have side effects such as cataracts etc so its probably a good idea to use it only on days I need to be dry.

Im testing it out today for the first time, i've taken two doses of two tablets, one in the morning and one midday. I think i'm sweat free right now lol been trying to 'trigger' it but so far no sweat. Yes I have a dry mouth, eating a packet of crisps was...interesting...but I can see how it might come in useful for me. So glad to have the option to have a dry day if I need it.

any tips/advice on use of this drug/dry mouth/eyes(Which I can't say I've felt yet) or experiences welcome, would be interesting to hear from someone who's been using it for a while/frequently xxx

 

[margiehope]

Hi Beckiboo,
Just welcoming you to the glyco team. I've NEVER heard of the cataract thing before--don't quite know how there could be a connection.
2 mg may not work on a hot steamy day, but obviously it's best to do what your doctor says--you'll learn what works for you.

Check at your chemist's for products that can help with dry mouth--usually oral stuff with no alcohol. These have helped me, but originally I just coped with water and hard candies.

Good luck!

 

[Mozart22]

I don't think the dosage is good. 4mg should be enough, no need for 6mg unless it's a very hot summer day with lots of humidity.
Keep in mind that the pills work best on an empty stomach. I eat nothing for 3 hours before taking the pills AND nothing for 2 hours after taking it. For me if I eat anywhere close to taking the pill it won't work as well.

And yeah do not take it everyday. I take it 2 or 3 times a week max.
You don't want to overdo it and for some people taking a drug everyday
will cause it to lose effectiveness because your body adjusts to it

 

[margiehope]

5 hours without eating? !!

Well, we do what we have to do, but my pharmacist and supplied material say one hour before eating or two hours after.

I usually take all my meds (presently 4 mg.) together in the A.M., wait an hour before breakfast.

I've been on glyco for many years. There's no build up, and I've had no decrease in
effectiveness.

 

[beckiboo]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions, lol I can safely say I achieved total dryness after 2mg in the morning and 2mg at lunchtime, I had no need for the last dose of 2mg..perhaps in summer but we'll see, at the moment its freezing here so my HH is less annoying anyway.

So what do I need to ask for at the pharmacist to help with the dry mouth? like Uk brands I could get hold of? and how do they work?

my eyes did feel a bit sore by bedtime, today I returned back to normal. I'll keep you updated on my progress, kinda liberating to have the choice of a dry day here and there, theres certain things i'm thinking about doing now which made me a bit cringey before!

 

[Mozart22]

5 hours without eating? !!

Yes 5 hours, often times 6 hours. If I don't do that the effectiveness
is significantly reduced for me.

If I need to be dry for an event at 7 PM, I will eat lunch at 12:30 PM then not
eat anything until 6:45 PM. The pills will be taken at 4PM on an empty stomach.

I have to time my eating and pill taking precisely or else it won't work.
Also it takes at least 2 and a half hours for the pills to start working for me.
I can't just take the Avert whenever I feel like it, I need to plan in advance to make sure
my stomach will be empty 3 hours before and 3 hours after if I want it to work well.

 

[margiehope]

Mozart--Just shows what we're willing to go through to achieve relief from HH.
Don't think I could do it--but fortunately, don't have to.

 

[margiehope]

Beckiboo--don't know what brands are available there. I use a mouthwash and toothpaste made to help with dry mouth. People have it for many reasons--I'd just seek your pharmacist's advice.

 

[Mozart22]

Mozart--Just shows what we're willing to go through to achieve relief from HH.
Don't think I could do it--but fortunately, don't have to.

It's not ideal and it's a mild inconvenience, but for a guy who went
through 7 years of heavy sweating in public, Avert is a life saver.
The funny thing is, I had tried Avert a few years ago but thought it didn't
work because I did not have a completely empty stomach.
It was only a few months ago when I ate nothing within a 5 or 6 hour
window that the Avert actually worked for me.

It really is a lifesaver. Yes I have to time my eating and yes my eyes and mouth
get very dry, but wow for a guy who's face would leak, Avert is a lifesaver.
I can actually go out and about and live a mostly normal life thanks to Avert/Robinul

 

[margiehope]

I don't need to leave as much time as you do, Mozart, but sometimes I'm stupid about taking Avert too close to breakfast. It's often on a day when I proceed to my exercise class, and have a mini version of the old head soaking. Those really were the bad old days!

 

[Mozart22]

I don't need to leave as much time as you do, Mozart, but sometimes I'm stupid about taking Avert too close to breakfast. It's often on a day when I proceed to my exercise class, and have a mini version of the old head soaking. Those really were the bad old days!

By the way I tried the Biotene for the dry mouth. It helps but only marginally. Better than nothing but does not completely take care of the problem. Also it only keeps the mouth a bit lubricated, not the throat. Still have to deal with a very dry throat

 

[beckiboo]

Mozart i'm glad you have found this drug works for you, I know what you mean about it being a life saver. This evening I went to a meal at a friends house and for the first time ever did not sweat once! thats pretty much a miracle in my book! because we were eating I had a drink to hand to help me keep my mouth wet and tbh I didnt even notice it as for once I was completely relaxed, enjoyed sitting close to people and letting my outgoing self come out fully...

which brings me to another point: when my HH was making me feel my worst..like a social cast away, I thought, 'Maybe it is me..maybe i'm an anxious person and my sweating is a result of that' but after tonight, feeling so comfortable in my own skin and not a shred of anxiety, I can confirm that yes, my HH was directly responsible for my anxiety in social situations, now i'm free from that I can FINALY start to enjoy life again. Thankyou glycopyrrolate!!

 

[Sprawling]

Isn't it an amazing feeling that our anxiety is not just in our head, that the sweating has a direct link to what we feel. So the next time someone gets sent to the psychologist, tell them it's the sweating that's making one anxious and not the other way around.

 

[margiehope]

Yeah, shouldn't have put the "not taking meds on time" thought in the air. Today I had a late brunch, didn't have/leave enough time after to take my glyco. Off to an over-heated party in a small room with a lot of people--the old head sweats reappeared. I was able to go outside from time to time, but--well, there ain't no cure for stupid!

 

[bleachie]

Hey all, so finally after a long time of going through different options with different doctors, one being going for botox in Nottingham, i've been prescribed glycopyrrolate 1mg tablets with a doseage of 2 x tablets three times daily. Although it was stressed to me that long term daily use could have side effects such as cataracts etc so its probably a good idea to use it only on days I need to be dry.

Im testing it out today for the first time, i've taken two doses of two tablets, one in the morning and one midday. I think i'm sweat free right now lol been trying to 'trigger' it but so far no sweat. Yes I have a dry mouth, eating a packet of crisps was...interesting...but I can see how it might come in useful for me. So glad to have the option to have a dry day if I need it.

any tips/advice on use of this drug/dry mouth/eyes(Which I can't say I've felt yet) or experiences welcome, would be interesting to hear from someone who's been using it for a while/frequently xxx

Hello,

Did you get the glycopyrrolate tablets on the NHS from you GP?. I have asked multiple doctors and a pharmacist and none of them seem to know what they are.

Looking forward to your reply.

 

[ric68]

Hello Beckiboo. Which brand name were you prescribed? I have had HH on and off for 15 years at least. I was on Venlafaxine for 6 years and the sweating lessened, maybe due to a calming effect of the drug.
The sweating has come back after a period of stress, and I have been put on Citalopram for anxiety. The sweating is CAUSING the anxiety, though, so I am going to ask the doc for glycopyrrolate.
I wasn't aware that UK doctors prescribed anything. I thought the drugs had been withdrawn due to their side effects.
Good luck with the meds!

 

[Peony]

Hello,

Did you get the glycopyrrolate tablets on the NHS from you GP?. I have asked multiple doctors and a pharmacist and none of them seem to know what they are.

Looking forward to your reply.

Hello,

Did you get the glycopyrrolate tablets on the NHS from you GP?. I have asked multiple doctors and a pharmacist and none of them seem to know what they are.

Looking forward to your reply.

My dr phoned the pharmacy and they got me them. It's not glycopyrrolate it's glycopyrronium bromide or something! Got them no problem. My dr is pretty cool but I have had dr in the past that are clueless. I think you need to ask them to google it nowadays! Lol.


To answer the original question, I ALWAYS take mine with a bottle of lucozade sport (the non fizzy one...) you're in uk aren't you? I could tell with your "crisp" comment haha!! But yeah if I drink lucozade sport I feel fine. Had to go with the 50calorie one tho! Or ill end up chubs!! X

 

[beckiboo]

Sorry for the late reply, yes I got them from the NHS and no my doctor didn't know about Glycopyrrolate! She had to pull out a book to look it up and I got referred to a dermatologist who knew what the drug was and I was told I could have this on re-prescription from my normal practice. I will dig out the pills and give you the name tomorrow but i'm pretty sure it's Glycopyrrolate. Maybe ask to speak to a dermo at Norwich hospital..as that's where I was referred and they could send the info to your doctor if youre not having luck?? and you should only have to pay your normal prescription for these.
I have to say I haven't used this drug for a fair few months, but would do if needed. Oh - and don't chew gum using it. I did once and because my mouth had no saliva in it the gum broke down and became a kinda sticky paste that almost choked me!! it stuck to my tongue and was just awful..suck a sweet instead!