Archive for Surgical Options
ETS Surgery Article
Posted by: · on July 25, 2010 | CommentsI just want to dash off a quick note to let you know that the International Hyperhidrosis Society has come out with the latest edition of their newsletter, and amidst other good information, there is an article about ETS. It is primarily a cautionary article, but it quite effectively– yet succinctly– gives both sides of the risks/benefits debate regarding this surgery. If you are not a subscriber to the Sweat Solutions newsletter, these articles can also be found on the IHHS website, www.SweatHelp.org.
Depending on whether or not you have visited HyperhidrosisAndMe before, you may have noticed that ETS is a subject about which I have some knowledge. Having had the procedure in 2005, I have shared my journey in a report that I offer free of charge on this website. You will also find that my report unflinchingly covers the negative aspects of this surgery. However, I highly recommend doing your own research, as I am not a doctor and do not pretend to have a complete understanding of the finer points of the various techniques that are used. There is a section in my report devoted to guiding you in that endeavor.
I have noticed that there seem to be more radio commercials for ETS these days… it’s possible that is because it’s Summer, or it’s possible that ETS is being performed more frequently. I’m not sure. But what I am sure of is that these commercials make it appear that this surgery is a quick and simple fix for Hyperhidrosis, when it is very often not. For a few people, it is that simple. But it is really, really a “crap shoot”, and it makes me cringe when I hear these commercials and know that there are people out there– desperate, unhappy people– who respond to them without investigating the risks.
Don’t be one of them.
Hyperhidrosis Gets a Little Press!
Posted by: · on July 23, 2010 | CommentsEarlier this summer, I received an email from a Public Relations agent who was helping Fox News in New York City put together a piece on a surgical procedure that alleviates Axillary Hyperhidrosis. The PR firm was looking for a person with Hyperhidrosis who would be willing to undergo this procedure on camera. I was not able to help them find someone, but it’s great that they did.
The doctor in the story, Dr. Jacobs, calls this procedure “Sweat Lipo”. This procedure, described in detail on my page “Localized Axillary Procedures”, is also known as Subdermal Laser Ablation. Basically, the idea is to suck out the sweat glands in the underarm region. Surgeons have offered variations on this procedure for years, but in the past there was a significant amount of scarring and extended recovery times. Now, because of advances in technology, surgeons are able to make a very small incision to do the surgery and there is virtually no scarring and little down time.
I think that Dr. Jacobs does a very good job concisely describing what Hyperhidrosis is and how it affects daily life.
Here is the story:
FoxNewsChannel
I want to express my admiration to the gentleman in the story who was brave enough to not only talk about his challenges on camera, but also allowed the camera crew to show his sweating up close. He did his part to show millions of viewers that Hyperhidrosis interferes with life in every way– and he was so matter of fact about it, and not ashamed. WELL DONE, SCOTT!
While surgery is always a drastic measure and comes with inherent risks, I think that this “sweat lipo” is a great option for those with Axillary Hyperhidrosis. That is, it’s a great option if done by an experienced, excellent surgeon. If you think this procedure is for you, I recommend thoroughly researching what the procedure is (start by reading my page on it, linked above) and finding a surgeon you can have confidence in. Also check into your insurance coverage and any or all costs involved. Wish they could do it for hands and feet! 
Recipe for a Good Old-Fashioned HH Episode, Post-ETS
Posted by: · on July 11, 2010 | CommentsIf you ever thought that undergoing ETS would end the good ol’ fight-or-fight emotional sweating episode, read on, my friend. As I have said in a few messages here and there, but need to say Loud and Clear right here on the blog, please do not assume that having ETS will cure you from Hyperhidrosis. Sure, there may be some lucky individuals who have had sympathectomies that have mild compensatory sweating, dry feet and dry hands, but I believe that they are in the (lucky) minority. Compensatory Sweating still occurs for most of us, and its patterns and frequency are all over the board, from what I can guess. For me, it hasn’t been bad, but I am still vulnerable to the occasional nasty, unforeseen attack.
Today, I got zapped. Here’s the recipe for my…
Old Fashioned Sweating Episode
- 1 linen top likely to show moisture
- 1 pair olive khaki pants guaranteed to show sweat
- ADD 2 cups of Extra Virgin Idiocy in assuming this would be a safe choice for Church in the middle of July
- WHISK together, with a Dash of Arrogance that I no longer Need to Worry About These Things
- FOLD into mix:
- 1 missing 9 year old child whom husband, responsible for bringing the Rest of the Children to Mass while you drop off youngest child to birthday party, mistakenly leaves alone at home
- 1 heaping Tablespoon of Angst that said child is Hysterical at Home, Alone (while Freaked Out Husband leaves to fetch her)
- 1 well-meaning Usher at Church that asks you to Bring Up the Gifts!!!
- 6 cups Severe Anxiety that the Entire Congregation will have an Unobstructed View of Damp…ahem…Pants as you walk up the aisle bringing up gifts
- ADD to this,
- 2 more people, aforementioned husband and child (amused by events rather than hysterical), crowding into the pew accompanied by waves of Body Heat
- MARINATE in mounting Panic and typical Fight-or-Flight Trapped Feeling whilst sweat pops out literally Everywhere, including HANDS that are NOT supposed to SWEAT anymore…
- COOK for approximately 40 minutes in Warm and Humid Church
……and Voilà! You have one fully formed, rich, decadent Post-ETS, Put-You-Right-Back-in-Your-Place Sweating Episode!
Oh, and in case you were wondering…..Yes. I did bring up the Gifts, all the while holding up an imaginary Middle Finger at my Hyperhidrosis (yes, Imaginary, it was Church!). And, no, the moisture was not showing as I had (silently) convinced myself it would during that 1/2 hour I was supposed to be worshiping.
FYI, on a serious note: ETS disconnects the nerve(s) that make you sweat in your hands (and underarms and head, depending on the specific surgery)— depending on the technique, whether they are cut, removed, clamped, or merely snipped (as mine were), the surgery does not re-set your overactive Sympathetic Nervous System. Your sweating may end up being more under control, as mine is, because the absence of hand sweat (or blushing) lowers the anxiety and the triggers that normally cause an episode are no longer usually there. But Science has not come up with anything that cures the basic malfunction that is responsible for Primary Hyperhidrosis: an abnormally overactive Sympathetic Nervous System.
In short, our thermostats are broken! Every “cure” that we try out, every treatment, really just ranges from Band-Aids to duct tape. Sometimes these things don’t work; often they do, but with the occasional glitch. …or zap…!
A Review of Klima Surefoot Spray and Kiehl’s Anti-Perspirant Cream
Posted by: · on June 25, 2010 | CommentsTwo products I have been testing are Klima Surefoot Spray 
Klima Surefoot Spray 
Your are advised in the directions to rub it into your toes and everywhere to ensure coverage– the bonus to doing that is that now it’s on your hands too! Double duty, though I’m sure the manufacturer would argue that you should be using the Hand Spray. I have felt no adverse side effects. I do feel as though this product has controlled several episodes during some hot days, although I have had some sweat break through while wearing it.
Do either of these antiperspirants completely eliminate sweating episodes? NO. I’m no expert on sweat patterns, but I have noticed that there seem to be three types of sweating episodes: heat-triggered, emotional, and no-reason-whatsoever. Emotionally triggered episodes as well as those episodes brought on by overheating tend to be more forceful– on my body– and sometimes the sweat can muscle right through the superficial blockages the antiperspirants provide. I’ve got Kiehl’s on right now and as I was picking up my daughter from camp, it was pretty stuffy in the school lobby and my feet did start up. However, once I got into air conditioning, it stopped and it hasn’t come back– I can feel that I do have some protection. This is pretty hard to describe! I have come to believe that especially in the summertime, some protection makes me feel better than having nothing on at all… uh, you know what I mean
You know when you are relaxed, minding your own business, and you start to sweat for no reason? (If you really have hyperhidrosis, your answer is YES) I believe that products like this– “Topical Treatments” as I call them on my site– these products can really help prevent those particular sweating episodes. This type of sweating episode usually does not produce as much sweat– for ME– so having on a topical treatment such as Kiehl’s, Klima Surefoot Spray 
Look: these products are not a cure for Hyperhidrosis, at least for most of us. I don’t really believe there is any one thing that makes Hyperhidrosis go away– not even ETS. The best most of us can do is to try different things, usually in combinations, to manage it. Once you have the mindset that you are controlling Hyperhidrosis and Hyperhidrosis is not controlling you, life looks a whole lot better. Even in the hot, sweaty days of Summer!
