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For as long as I can remember, right back to childhood, I have suffered the embarrassment of excessive sweating. At first it was mainly my hands and feet but, on reaching puberty, I began to experience severe perspiration in my under-arms and groin too. The one saving grace was that, even in extreme temperatures, my face and head would still be bone dry so, at least to some extent, I was able to hide my problem. At 50, as well as being menopausal, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and began to experience extreme facial sweating, which I find embarrassing beyond belief. There's no hiding it and, having been a sun-worshiper my whole life, now I absolutely dread the approach of warmer weather. I would add that, whereas my other sweating seems to be mainly down to anxiety, the facial sweating is definitely only triggered by heat and exertion. I do also have thyroid problems, which started around the same time. Has anyone else experienced a move in the site of their perspiration problems from one area to another? I would add that, whilst I do still suffer hyperhidrosis all over, I would say that, with the onset of the facial sweating, my hands and palms became just a little dryer. I'm curious whether others have had any similar experiences.
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gail85866 helene46251
Posted
Have you looked into the side effects of sympathectomy? It's rarely used for facial hyperhidrosis. A colleague of mine had sweaty hands and arms which was so bad she couldn't hold a pen so she had a thoracic sympathectomy. It cured her hand sweating but now her back is constantly wet. She said she wouldn't have had the operation as there is no guarantee that it won't cause sweating in other places so you need to research it fully so you can make an informed decision. I forgot to mention that I have an underactive thyroid so take 25mcg a day. I spent every summer in my bedroom as it was the coolest room in the house with 2 fans going. Last summer I actually enjoyed the warm weather. When you need help contact me.
helene46251 gail85866
Posted
Hi again Gail.
Yes I did know about the possibility of compensatory sweating in other areas after a sympathectomy, and would have asked a lot of questions of a specialist before going ahead. I do suffer from very sweaty hands, and other areas too, but the facial sweating has been a relatively recent development. Before, my face and head were always bone dry, even in intense heat or after exertion. Like you I'm on Thyroxine (75 mcg. daily).
Thanks so much for all your support x