Hi. Yes I had ETS for excessive palm sweating in April '99, and then re-done in May 2000 (as well as a lumbar sympathectomy in 2001 for excessive foot sweating - I must have been crazy!).
After the operations my hands and feet were 80%-90% dry, and have stayed the same since. However, be very, very careful if you do consider surgery. Here's a brief version of my story over the last fourteen years:

Around early 2002 I developed severe compensatory sweating on my back, stomach, sides, chest and legs. The level of sweating has increased since it started (I remember having compensatory sweating on my legs after ETS, but 9-12 months after Lumbar Sympathectomy it spread to other named areas).
Compensatory sweating has had a huge negative impact on life. Can often only walk for 5 minutes before am sweating profusely all-over.

Other side-effects of surgery:

- Heat intolerance, and my whole body constantly feels overheated, including my face, which leaves me always looking and feeling flushed.
- Lack of emotional feeling (for example unable to cry since the operations, even at funerals)
- Tiredness and severe loss of energy
- Frequently feel dehydrated, no matter how much water I drink
- Headaches
- Burning feeling, especially in the back, but also stomach, chest, legs etc.
- Often feel faint because of heat intolerance, even in mild-cool weather
- Dizziness
- Compensatory sweating makes everyday life extremely embarrassing/difficult. This has led to depression and very low self-esteem, morale and confidence (far worse than pre-surgery)
- Now sweat very little (much less than a normal amount) from underarms, face, scalp, forehead and neck. Forehead gets very dry and itchy. Hands and feet are also extremely dry, even after a 60 minute treadmill workout.

I'm sorry if this is scary (it's not my intention!), I just wanted to try and paint a picture of what CAN sometimes happen, speaking as someone with many, many years experience.

Best of luck whatever you do.

thanks for that, you tried and then laid it out for all of us to think about. No way ETS for me, appreciate the sharing

Hello JR31,

Regarding your ETS surgery, did they cut or clamp? Also, where did they cut or clamp (etc. T3, or T4)? I have read that this makes a difference.

Thank you,
ghost12345

Hi. They cut each time, but I've no idea at what levels! Sorry.

Hi all. Just spreading the word - prickly pear fruit eliminated my HH. No joke. Please give it a try and let me know if it helps you. I eat them raw, seeds/skins/all. Unbelievable difference in my sweating. Good luck to you!

I had ets done for my hands 10 years ago. Best decision I've ever made. My hands would sweat so badly that I had to carry a towel because they would drip. Doctor said he's never seen anyone that severe. I said yes to it in a heart beat. My hands are completely sweat free and I haven't had any side effects except for that my feet still sweat and possibly more. It really changed my life. Best of luck with your decision!

Hi there,
Seattle Swedish Medical Center, Thoracic surgery division is doing a research project on patients who have had an endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy from 2004 until 2015 here at Swedish. Patient participation includes just a quick phone call. If you, or you know someone you know has had an ETS with us, we are probably trying to contact you. If you fit this criteria, and you haven't received a phone call, please let me know and we can find another way of contacting you. Thank you!

I had ETS surgery many years ago. actually I had it twice, once in California and once in Italy around 2001 arm 2002. I recommend that anyone considering ETS surgery, give it a great deal of thought, the adverse symptoms and procedure are irreversible. ( the compensatory sweating has been a nightmare for me and has affected my personal life in a very negative way, although I hear the newer procedures are safer with less side effects. Ive tried everything to reduce the compensatory sweating but nothing has actually worked. I try and review the internet for some new procedure that might help my situation, but as yet, nothing acceptable has come around.