[LittleMoonRabbit]

Hey guys,
Seeing that a lot of women here have PCOS, and they are finding support in eachother on here, I just thought I would start a little thread here about Hyperhidrosis. While it's not a physically harmful thing to have, I know for me, it can be a very difficult thing to deal with because it can severely affect your self esteem. Over the years, I have learned how to hide it relatively well, but as a teenager and going to high school, I fought with it every day. Hyperhidrosis varies in its intensity- mine can be pretty bad. When I am relaxed and at ease, I actually don't sweat at all. But if I get upset, or excited or riled up, within 5 minutes the armpits of my shirt will be soaked to halfway down my waist. My hands also sweat pretty bad when I am nervous, and I find it gets in the way during social gatherings and interviews. I have to buy special clothes that don't cling too closely to my armpits... usually in the winter I wear a loose spaghetti strap shirt underneath a big sweatshirt or sweater. In the summer, because it's hot, I wear mostly black and white tops since those are the ones that show the sweating the least. I go through clothes faster than most, because I get stains under the arms relatively quickly- even in sweaters. I have tried prescription deodorant to no avail... it stops the sweating, but the itching is so intense I can't sleep at night. I have considered getting botox injections in the past... but now that I have kinda learned to deal with it, I just take it for what it is and do my best to hide it. The people who are most important to me know about it and don't love me any less because of it.

So there's my story. Anyone else want to share? I know there are a lot of people with this problem in the world, but nobody usually ever talks about it. So, I figured I would come clean and bring it up in case someone else wanted to discuss their stories/suggestions/or just get support. It always helps knowing you aren't the only one out there.

[techwife]

I've taken my 13 year-old daughter to the doctor for it and he suggested an OTC deodorant, but it doesn't help. She can be sitting there and her armpits sweat like she just got out of gym class. She's learned the black T-shirt trick, too, and is now known as goth girl because she only wears black T-shirts. She also wears big hoodie sweatshirts, which I quite like on her because she's a little chubby and they look cute on her and cover up the little indiscrepancies in her waist line.

I didn't suffer with this and the doctor doesn't seem to be very sympathetic...or didn't at that appointment...but I would love some suggestions for her. I told her it must be heredetary, but since we haven't seen anyone on her father's side of the family since 2000, we don't have anyone to ask on that side.

I'd like some suggestions, too!

[LittleMoonRabbit]

Yeah, my doctor wasn't very sympathetic. He did prescribe me a deodorant, but like I said, my skin was so sensitive, I was in agony after using it for a few days. One of the things I have read is that putting deodorant on before going to bed makes it more effective- but that doesn't make a difference for me. You should have seen me up at the altar during my wedding. I literally had sweat rolling down my arm. Thank god no one could notice something like that in a strapless dress. There are numerous treatments out there- the most effective being botox injections. Stars apparently get them before award shows... one set of injections lasts for up to 4 months, and apparently works like a charm. However, I have a fear of needles, and couldn't bring myself to go for the treatment. There is also some kind of electric shock thing out there, but that just seems to dangerous/painful. Other than that, there's really nothing other than learning how to hide it, and learning how to love yourself even when you feel like some kind of freak of nature. She chose a good clothing style- hides these things very well. Tell her I give her my best, and I know what a pain in the butt it is to deal with.