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.
I'm a 24 year old female who has been living with severe hyperhidrosis for 12 years. I have it all over my back, face, underarms, legs, groin, stomach - you name it, it sweats.
I was so mortified and when I was a teenager and didn't know what was wrong with me and if I was normal. I eventually plucked up the courage at 16 to go and see my GP who didn't take me seriously whatsoever and sent me off to try anhydrol-forte - which needless to say had no effect considering how bad my sweating was.
I didn't dare go to a doctor again until this year when I decided enough was enough as it was starting to affect my life even more than it already had done and was making me feel depressed. I thankfully had an understanding GP this time and I was referred to the hospital where I was started on a course of propantheline (pro-banthine).
I was prescribed to take three 15mg tablets a day and after taking just my first two tablets (having been extremely skeptical that anything was going to help me at all), I already noticed a difference.
I was so mortified and when I was a teenager and didn't know what was wrong with me and if I was normal. I eventually plucked up the courage at 16 to go and see my GP who didn't take me seriously whatsoever and sent me off to try anhydrol-forte - which needless to say had no effect considering how bad my sweating was.
I didn't dare go to a doctor again until this year when I decided enough was enough as it was starting to affect my life even more than it already had done and was making me feel depressed. I thankfully had an understanding GP this time and I was referred to the hospital where I was started on a course of propantheline (pro-banthine).
I was prescribed to take three 15mg tablets a day and after taking just my first two tablets (having been extremely skeptical that anything was going to help me at all), I already noticed a difference.
But anyway, after taking just two tablets on my first day, I couldn't believe that I was actually not sweating. And I've been on it for 4 days now and I can honestly say it has completely changed my life.
I used to sweat through my uniform at work and my every day clothes and it was a CONSTANT source of worry that people could tell, or that someone would touch me and notice I was sweaty and constantly having to dress a certain way to hide sweat marks.
My only regret now is that I didn't go back to the doctor when I was 16 again and make her take me more seriously. But at least I can be happy now knowing that from now onwards I can be free of the daily worries it gave me, wear what I want, go anywhere I want on holiday (not just cool places!) and just generally never have to let HH rule my life again :)
There are some side effects with the pro-banthine but for me, at least, they are completely worth it. I have a dry mouth and nose all day long which can be quite irritating, but as I say, for me its worth it. Some people get blurry vision and sore/dry eyes but that hasn't been a problem for me.
Anyway, if anyone else uses pro-banthine as well and wants to share their stories or anyone who doesn't and wants to ask me any questions or anything then I'll be more than happy to chat to you!
:)
How bad is your sweating and what have you tried so far for it?
Hi,
I sweat from my palms until they are dripping wet. My feet are the same. It's sickening. I've had this issue since I'm a little girl. I'm really fed up with it. I want to try what you are using.
Thanks,
Also, how have you been doing with the HH up until this point? Any changes?
So far, still so good. I've had a couple of afternoons where the sweating came back but nowhere even close to how it was before - only a wee bit under the armpits and on my back - and I think it's because I mucked up the times I'd been taking the pills at lunchtime. I find it a bit tricky timing them right around my day sometimes as you need to take them at least an hour before you eat or at least two hours after you've eaten. Sometimes when I've got a million other things going on in the day I forget to take them at the right times. But I'm still so happy with how they're working :)
Congratulations!
I have been prescribed pro-banthine for 7 years and I know how great you must feel.
You have to learn how and when to take it.
I need 2x 15mg tablets in the morning and take one in bed the second about half hour later, both without water, down back of throat. The earlier you take them before eating or drinking makes them work stronger. Some people set their alarm early to make sure they take them before getting up in morning. The same relates to taking any at any other time. They are strong for about 5 hours. Before bed will cover you for the night.
Everyone has different requirements and has to learn how many and when to take. Whilst I might be okay at home, I take two a couple of hours before I go out socialising. It depends what sets your sweating off.
Everyone should try pro-banthine or Robinul. See www.askapatient.com where people record the experience of their drugs. Key in either and see. I put mine in 2007.
There are 109 for Robinul, another anticholinergics like your Propantheline known as Glycopyrrolate, generic names.
I wish more people pushed their doctor like you to get drugs, but I know how difficult it is.
Best. Wishes
Keith
so great to hear that it is still working great for you 7 years later, gives me hope! I keep expecting that the effects of the pro-banthine will just wear off and I'll be back to square one, but so far so good!
I've been taking it almost 4 months now and have better learnt at which times to take them that works for me. On days where I know I'm going to be sweating a lot, I take 2x15mg about an hour/half hour before getting up and I'll take another one after lunch. Obviously with eating, the effects aren't as strong but I'm really struggling with the dry mouth side effect. If I take one before I eat my lunch, I'm basically guaranteed that I won't be eating any lunch as my mouth and throat are too dry to be able to swallow anything. And no matter how much water you drink, dry mouth just stays the same and can become extremely irritating. However, most days I am more than willing to put up with this if it means my sweating is completely gone.
I was considering revisiting the dermatologist to discuss trying a different kind of medication just as an experiment to see if there is anything that will make my mouth less dry, but to be honest, I'm not sure what else there is out there.
Mana1:
I have all over, profuse sweating. I sweat from my underarms, back, stomach, face, neck, groin and legs. I don't need to be doing anything at all and can be freshly showered and just getting ready for the day and already feel it trickling down me.
It's definitely worth going to see your doctor about pro-banthine or something similar though. Obviously not every drug is appropriate for everyone depending on your medical history but it has honestly been the best thing I've done. The immediate difference it made to my sweating (I don't sweat at all now when I've taken the pro-banthine) and also my confidence has been amazing. As I was saying above, the side effects can be difficult to deal with on occasion but for me anyway, I would rather put up with them and be able to go about my day without having the permanent anxiety that everyone can see I'm sweating, having to wear layers and layers of clothes to cover it up on hot summer days and permanently feeling down about it all.
Let me know how you get on when you go and see your doc!
I have just discovered this support group and this conversation from a few years back. I can tell you that I was also prescribed probanthine by my GP (kind of accidentally trying to treat another condition!) a few years back and it worked really well, taking 1-3 during the day as needed.
My only problem now is that this medication seems to be impossible to get! Every GP & chemist I have asked about it here in Australia tells me it is out of stock worldwide and they don't know when it will next be available. If you know where it can be sourced, could you please let me know, I'd really like to get the daily benefit from it again asap. Thanks.