Excess sweating all the time!

[ktmoo]

I have a very big problem! I never stop sweating! It could be minus 10 outside and I could be standing still in the freezing cold...but still sweating! It is not just sweating under my arms either. its on my face, back, legs...you name it, i probably sweat there! I have been to the doctor and tried a couple of deoderant type things to help stop the sweating but they either cause side effects or just lose their effectiveness in the space of a couple of weeks. Has anyone suffered from this or is suffering from this? It is such a hinderance. I cant wear the clothes I want and summertime is just a nightmare; as you can probably guess, my situation and heat do not go well together. Any help would be great!

[oceans3]

this is called hyperhidrosis. have you always had excessive sweating? or is this new to you? are you on any new meds that this could be a side effect?
usually it can be due to many different things but your dr. would need to tell you which it could be.
menopause, an overactive thyroid, low blood sugar, major stress, even spicey foods.
make sure you drink a lot of water to replace what you've lost when you sweat. have you experienced and chest pain? weight loss? you should give your dr. a call and especially if this condition has been prolonged.

[kendalland shastasmom]

I agree it could be an overactive thyroid that is what happened to me.  I have found that a totally vegan diet can help to regulate all issues that you can have when it comes to hormone levels.  This is because the fat and the hormones that are present in meat and dairy can cause your hormone levels to go extremelly high  A totally vegan diet can really improve our way of life and also drink plenty and plenty of water to help to clense your body.

[JoAnnaRF]

I agree with both posters. This is a medical issue and I suggest that you start with an Internalist and perhaps a Dermatologist. Your GP should be referring you to a specialist. I have also heard that some clinics are always doing studies on this condition and if you were interested, could reserach it and get into a study. This would make your medical treatment free and maybe even profitable. Ask your Doc if he.she know if any local studies being done if you are interested.
I also wanted to comment on the vegan diet idea. I am not a vegan, and never have been. However, I had a friend that suffered from a severe case of Lyme Disease and after medical treatment left her still suffering, she chose the vegan route for about a year. It wasn't long before she was feeling healthy and strong and after about 6 months, had lost the excess wweight she had tried dieting away for years. She was slender and healthy. I do think that a dietician or consult about such a diet with your physician is necessary to make sure it is the right choice for you though.
I hope you are feeling better soon. I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to live like this.
Just curious, when I sweat alot, I get heat rashes. Have you had a problem, with that? If so, just more reason to get this taken care of ASAP.
Take Care!
--J

[ktmoo]

Thanks for your advice. Yes I have had this problem since I was about 12 I think and I am now 19. I havent been to the doctor  about it for a couple of years because they keep telling me there is nothing they can do. Whether or not this is true I dont know. My friend suggested to me that I go back and question them about tests they could do because she thinks there must be a reason I get this. I suppose I could try the vegan option but im not sure how well I would carry it out! Love meat and dairy far too much! Yes I do sometimes get heat rashes. Especially during the summer time. Usually on my back and sometimes my chest.

This problem and my life style just do not go well together! I love the summertime, going clubbing and just going out and about in general but it becomes such a pain when you always have to think about materials you wear that wont show the sweat such as wool. I mean, no one would want to wear a black woolen jumper out in the middle of summer but this is what i have to do to save myself the embaracement of looking like I have just had a bucket of water chucked over me!

[kendalland shastasmom]

Once you start the vegan diet you wouldn't even need to worry about missin the meat and diary.  I loved meat and diary but after you get past the first 6 weeks you don't even know it.  You canmake anything taste like meat it is really easy.  Let me know if you are interested.  I have a whole recipie book that I can email you with substitutes and recipies.  I think it would really help you.  Also check out the website modernmanna.com and they will be able to explain it better.  The only thing that I know is that God gave us all of the fruits, veggies, grain, nuts and legumes.  Let me know and I will send you my email address and I can help you with the transition.  I think it will really help you.

[JoAnnaRF]

I can just imagine how hard it must be for you, especially with you being 19 when you are supposed to be having the time of your life. Not worrying about how to cover the problem up with HOT clothes that must just make it so much worse. As for your doc saying there is nothing he can do. That is bull! Sorry, but it is. I KNOW that there are medical treatments for this condition, I believe that it is in pill form. This makes me mad tht they just shrugged you off and I am going to go research this and I will post back with what I find...Give me a day. Maybe less. And I'll post back when i find something.
As for not being able to do the Vegan thing.. Me either. I am very thankful that God also gave us cows for milk, cheese, butter, and steak. But that is my opinion. For those that are disciplined and able, I say Kudos but not something I would be willing to do.
Okay.. I'll be back..
--J

[JoAnnaRF]

OMG I found so MUCH info that I cannot even try to list it. Here is a site to take a peek a peek at:
http://aolsvc.health.webmd.aol.com/content/article/91/101215.htmt

The name of the condition is  hyperhidrosis. And you can go to webmd.com and just type that into search and you will see pages and pages of info. There was even a doctor referencing how people opt for the black clothing to hide the wetness just like you mentioned. I didn't read about all of the different treatments, but I did notice that a lot of them mentioned Botox injections being used to halt the sweat glands, and the success of this being very great. So please go check all of this out and then take the info to a doc you feel will be there for you and get the treatment that you deserve. You are so young and deserve to have a normal life in a bikini! Tank tops or whatever your heart desires!
Hope this helps!
--J

[NURSELPN]

That was my first thought when I read your post ...hyperthyroidism. I suffered from it & nothing stops the sweating. You need tests for TSH, free t-3 & free t-4. That will tell you. Also if the above is positive you might suggest thyroid antibody tests to your physican. Graves disease is the common cause for hyperthyroidism & TSI test reveals that.  Let us know what you find out OK          God Bless, Jean

[ktmoo]

Thanks for the website info. will definately take a look at it all. Yeh i had heard about the botox thing. Then i thought of needles and got very scared! hehe! will definately go back to the doctors and be a lot more insistant that they do some tests or something because my situation is just getting ridiculous now. I was looking at the symptoms for an over active thyroid last night and i have quite a few of them. Part of me wishes that was the reason (but obviously need to go to doc to find out). I just want to know what is causing this for my own piece of mind!

[Kennin]

Hi, I had that problem when I turned 13. I was prescribed Drysol (aka Hypercare, ALumimun Chloride), and my sweating decreased a lot after 1 application. I'm not sure if it works as good for everyone, you might have to apply it weekly or so after that. If you haven't already you might want to ask a MD about prescribing you some topical medication.