Hyperhidrosis Support Group
Primary hyperhidrosis is the condition characterized by abnormally increased perspiration, in excess of that required for regulation of body temperature. Some patients afflicted with the condition experience a distinct reduction in the quality of life. Sufferers feel at a loss of control because perspiration takes place independent of temperature and emotional state.
Hi, Im 18 years old and I have been dealing with a condition called acrocyanosis for as long as I can remember. Acrocyanosis is so unheard of that even spell check on Microsoft Word calls me out on it. Anyways, basically, acrocyanosis is the relatively harmless discoloration of the extremities accompanied by hyperhidrosis due to the fact that the capillaries leading to these extremities close up. So instead of having sweaty palms, I have sweaty, cold, and discoloured palms (and feet).
Now I know that some people on this web site will think that Im trying to say that my condition is worse than yours or something like that, but the truth is, I just want others and myself to feel less alone. Ive been browsing this support group (which is amazing by the way, kudos), and I thought that perhaps that there was space for someone like me. I havent seen any articles addressing acrocyanosis, so I thought perhaps I would be the first. My goal is to share my story with others, so that they can learn from my experience with acrocyanosis, and hopefully, I can learn about theirs.
So Ive had this condition for as long as I can remember. When I was younger, my hands were always wet, cold and clammy so I thought it was normal. As I grew older, I started to learn that hand are supposed to be dry and warm. Its hard because I missed out on stuff that I should have been able to enjoy but couldnt. I could never sharpen a pencil (my fingers slipped) or even write with one (the page would get too soggy). I hated going to piano lessons, shaking hands at church, meeting new people, walking on wooden floors; it all sucked. Ive somehow managed to electrocute myself a couple of times too. I hated myself too, because no doctor diagnosed me (ergo, I didnt have a disease), and that rather I was just ugly and useless.
After I shake hands with people, they look at me with disgust; as if its somehow my fault my hands are drenched in sweat. Ive tried talking to my parents, but they just decide to chalk it up to anxiety. What they dont realize is that anxiety has nothing to do with this; I have an illness and I have no control over it. So I just stop talking to them about this. They dont understand, and frankly, I dont think that anyone who doesnt have it will understand. They can try to, but they will never be able to fully grasp the gravity of the situation.
All these experiences shape me as a person, but they do not define me as I am. Im in the process of realizing that disease is not the only substance that makes me who I am. Its hard to accept myself a lot, and there are times I get so frustrated I just punch pillows against a wall. After venting though, I come to realize that I cannot change what I am, but I can only cope with the situations that I am put in.
Reading all of your experiences on this support group made me realize that I am not the only person going through this. My whole life I felt so isolated, but after seeing for myself that others have flourished when put in the exact same situation, it gives me hope that we can have a bright future despite all the obstacles.
So I just want to thank everyone who shared their experiences. It really helped me. I hope that my experiences do the same for others.
Now I know that some people on this web site will think that Im trying to say that my condition is worse than yours or something like that, but the truth is, I just want others and myself to feel less alone. Ive been browsing this support group (which is amazing by the way, kudos), and I thought that perhaps that there was space for someone like me. I havent seen any articles addressing acrocyanosis, so I thought perhaps I would be the first. My goal is to share my story with others, so that they can learn from my experience with acrocyanosis, and hopefully, I can learn about theirs.
So Ive had this condition for as long as I can remember. When I was younger, my hands were always wet, cold and clammy so I thought it was normal. As I grew older, I started to learn that hand are supposed to be dry and warm. Its hard because I missed out on stuff that I should have been able to enjoy but couldnt. I could never sharpen a pencil (my fingers slipped) or even write with one (the page would get too soggy). I hated going to piano lessons, shaking hands at church, meeting new people, walking on wooden floors; it all sucked. Ive somehow managed to electrocute myself a couple of times too. I hated myself too, because no doctor diagnosed me (ergo, I didnt have a disease), and that rather I was just ugly and useless.
After I shake hands with people, they look at me with disgust; as if its somehow my fault my hands are drenched in sweat. Ive tried talking to my parents, but they just decide to chalk it up to anxiety. What they dont realize is that anxiety has nothing to do with this; I have an illness and I have no control over it. So I just stop talking to them about this. They dont understand, and frankly, I dont think that anyone who doesnt have it will understand. They can try to, but they will never be able to fully grasp the gravity of the situation.
All these experiences shape me as a person, but they do not define me as I am. Im in the process of realizing that disease is not the only substance that makes me who I am. Its hard to accept myself a lot, and there are times I get so frustrated I just punch pillows against a wall. After venting though, I come to realize that I cannot change what I am, but I can only cope with the situations that I am put in.
Reading all of your experiences on this support group made me realize that I am not the only person going through this. My whole life I felt so isolated, but after seeing for myself that others have flourished when put in the exact same situation, it gives me hope that we can have a bright future despite all the obstacles.
So I just want to thank everyone who shared their experiences. It really helped me. I hope that my experiences do the same for others.
Welcome to the group.
Never heard about your condition before, but i think similar to what we have except just the discolouration. So how does a discoloured palm look like?
After reading your story it seems the sweating that bothers you more than the discoloured palms.
I have been through mostly all those experiences you have suffered. As a child it didn't bother me, as i grew up especially when i was teenager i had a really hard time with HH.
But things get better though, I start feeling better in my late twenties after i got married. so yes you can have a bright future.
Sorry I've been disconnected for a while. And to answer your question HandsomeSibling, all aspects of acrocyanosis bother me (the discoloration and the sweating and the coldness). I chose not to address the discoloration and the coldness of my condition (sometimes my hands are so cold, they turn blue), because I figured that people would like to hear more about the sweating part on an HH forum.
But I can describe it right now. The discoloration is not limited to my hands. Its on my feet, knees, and elsewhere (I look eternally sleepless) but my main concern is on my hands. If I lay my hands flat, palms down on a table, my fingers look liked they are striped. My knuckles and the first top part of my fingers are dark (going from the nail bed to the first section cutoff). Its not really a functional problem per se, but it is hard to have this kind of condition in the world that we live in. No one will ever say this out loud, but because of this, it will be harder for me to find a job, get a date or even just make a friend. People may call me negative (of course they will, they don't live with this condition), but I don't like to lie to myself; I like to think of myself as a realist.
Thank you very much for the support HandsomeSibling, I really appreciate it :) your words made me so happy that I'm smiling ear to ear while writing this message.
Anyways, to talk to Auri777, I really like having someone who doesn't laugh in my face when I tell them about these problems. Thanks for listening :) and I'm here to talk whenever you want to as well.
I got this condition too, I discovered the name and the diagnosis just some months ago. It is more frequent on young women, though I am a man - jackpot!
I'd really like to talk with you, I can completely understand it. And i'd like to know more about your actual symptoms, are they still the same or did something get better?