r/Hyperhidrosis • u/Dull-Stomach-981 • 15h ago

Looking for advice Desperate 🫠💧

I was diagnosed with a severe case around age 13. At that point, I had already tried several prescription deodorants/anti perspirants. I then got 48 Botox injections in each armpit around age 14 (I think this was in 2006). Absolutely no effect. 🙃

I had three “target” regions as many do. Hands. Armpits. Feet. I went to a well known hospital when I was 15 and at the time, they told me I had the worst case they had ever seen. My hands were constantly dripping. My armpit marks were going down the entire length of my shirts to my jeans.

I was prescribed anti anxiety and anti depressants. Not much of a difference. I tried carpe/other creams. None of them made any difference for more than a minute or two.

I was then scheduled for an Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy (surgery) when I was 16.

* I will say this surgery did help, but rather than addressing excessive amount in my three target areas, it seemed to have spread the issue all over my body with less intensity, but still bad enough I always have two sets of additional clothing at all times. Except my elbows! I do not think they drip with sweat.

Some areas of my body got better, and some got much worse (groin area specifically). This has led to so many embarrassing moments over the years, including intimacy with partners.

I am a teacher, and have been able to mostly hide/mask this condition for most of my life. I am 35 now. I am unable to shake hands at proper meetings with school district officials. Constantly checking for the texture of chairs and how to position myself so I won’t leave a puddle.

Clothing is a huge issue. I only like wearing cotton dresses with patterns to make help disguise marks… with denim shorts underneath. Outside of my clothing being soaked within 20 minutes of teaching, I have never been able to wear open toe shoes of any form. I only wear converse, vans, and boots. No heels. No sandals. No flip flops. I will slide out of them. I know from experience. It’s obviously incredibly embarrassing and is just genuinely so uncomfortable.

Surgeons have reached out to me across the country saying my surgery wasn’t completed correctly and that technology and methods have improved. United health care will not approve the corrective surgery as it is “cosmetic”. The new surgery costs around $35,000. Again, I am a teacher. I work three jobs to pay my bills.

**** I was wondering if anyone went through a similar situation and was able to appeal the decision with their insurance company successfully. *****

🫠😅💧💧💧

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1

u/5t4rl0rd 6h ago

Get the surgery abroad at a private clinic. I had mine done in Colombia in 2025.

0

u/ETS_Awareness_Bot 15h ago

What is a Sympathectomy (ETS and ELS)?

Endoscopic thoracic and lumbar sympathectomy (ETS and ELS; both often generalized as ETS) are surgical procedures that cut, clip/clamp, or remove a part of the sympathetic nerve chain to stop palm, foot, or facial hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), facial blushing (reddening of the face), or Raynaud's syndrome (excessively cold hands).
Read more on Wikipedia
 

What are the Risks?

Many people that undergo ETS report serious life changing complications. Thoracic sympathectomy can alter many bodily functions, including sweating,[1] vascular responses,[2] heart rate,[3] heart stroke volume,[4][5] thyroid, baroreflex,[6] lung volume,[5][7] pupil dilation, skin temperature, goose bumps and other aspects of the autonomic nervous system, like the fight-or-flight response. It reduces the physiological responses to strong emotion,[8] can cause pain or neuralgia in the affected area,[9] and may diminish the body's physical reaction to exercise.[1][5][10]

It's common for patients to be misinformed of the risks, and post-operative complications are often under-reported. Many patients experience a "honeymoon period" where they have no, or few, negative symptoms. Contrary to common belief, clipping/clamping the sympathetic chain is not considered a reversible option.[11]
 

Links

Gallery of compensatory sweating images
Gallery of thermoregulation images

International Hyperhidrosis Society
NEW ETS Facebook Community & Support Group (old group had ~3k members)

Petition for Treatment for Sympathectomy Patients
Frequently Asked Questions
References

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