What can I do about sweating so much?

What can I do to cope with compensatory sweating from my sympathectomy?

• About 10 months ago towards the end of summer, I underwent a sympathectomy to cure my palmar hyperhidrosis. My hands used to sweat tremendous amounts (to the point that my phone touch screen wouldn't respond, I couldn't write an essay without ripping through the paper or use pens due to the ink getting smeared, on top of many other challenges, many of which were social), but they have since been cured of hyperhidrosis and I could not be happier with them. Immediately after the surgery, I didn't notice very much compensatory sweating, so I thought to myself that it would never come. However, as soon as I got back into school, this was not the case. Since I went back into school during the fall, when temperatures remain relatively low, the sweating wasn't unbearable. The same goes for the winter. But as the seasons advanced, and summer came along, my compensatory sweating has gotten out of control. I will literally be sitting down in a classroom that is maybe a little above room temperature, oftentimes no higher than 80 degrees, and sweat will start pouring. Visible droplets actually appear and drip down my body. Specifically, this occurs all over my back (mostly lower), my upper chest, my stomach, my groin, and my armpits (my left significantly more than my right - I have been observing this for months now). It also occurs on my shins (and sometimes calfs), but this is not as bad as the groin and torso sweating. I will get out of my desk chair, and sweat stains will be highly visible on the chair and on my pants/shorts because of the groin sweating. My shirts will get visibly drenched, no matter what color I wear, especially in the lower back area. To counter the shirt stain problem, I tried wearing an undershirt to absorb the sweat, but my sweat ended up penetrating both layers. Frankly, I doubt that there is any cure out there other than another surgery (unless there is some type of full-body antiperspirant). However, if I were to undergo such a surgery, who knows where the compensatory sweating would move - the only place left is my face, which would be even worse than what I have now. With that said, unless there are some highly effective methods that anyone can recommend, I'm more interested in coping methods. Such as.... -wearing certain types of boxers and shirts (under armor? cotton?) -what foods to eat -should I drink alot or a little water -once the sweating starts how should I deal with it (it is sometimes EXTREMELY hard to stop) Basically, any information to mitigate (or eliminate, if possible) these symptoms would be greatly appreciated. If anyone needs any more information that they think they can use to help me with my sweating, please post your email here, and I will do my best to get back immediately. Thanks alot.

• Answer:

  Hi Bob! I also have hyperhidrosis and I am sorry to here about your situation. I have tried many methods to treat my hyperhidrosis before (except ETS surgery) and now I use an iontophoresis machine to help manage my sweating. I mainly have palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis and my Hidrex PSP1000 with the default treatment trays and electrodes seems to be effective for it. I know that Hidrex also has underarm pads and a special applicator that you can buy to treat other areas like the chest and back as well. I bought my machine from www.sweating.com and you can check out the price of the machine and its accessories there. I'm not sure if iontophoresis will be effective for you, since results vary from individual to individual but, it is an option that you can try. They have an 8-week money back guarantee too if you are not satisfied. If you are looking for a more permanent solution for your underarm sweating without the risk associated with ETS surgery, there is a promising new procedure called miraDry that you should look into. I heard about it from the International Hyperhidrosis Society and you can find out more on their site at www.sweathelp.org or from miraDry's home page. I have tried the Thompson Tee before as well and it does seem effective for underarms so that might help your axillary HH too if you're looking for something less expensive to try. I wish you the best of luck and I hope you find something that works for you!