Day 22 - I had a sweat attack

Hi Guys,

Today I had a sweat attack while at the grocery store...of all places. I don't know what triggered it but I started to get moist on the tips of my fingers. My palm was still dry.

My feet were REALLY sweaty and got cold right away. So far the botox has been working like 90% of the time but I never really expected 100% improvement.

I will warm you guys that I won't be posting everyday anymore because there really isn't much difference on a day to day basis. So Ill post again in a few days or when something exciting happens with my Hyperhidrosis - can I still say I suffer from it? lol

Take care!

Day 21 - Hands Still Dry :)

Hey guys,

My hands are still dry and warm and I didn't sweat at all yesturday. I didn't get a chance to post the other day but it is getting much harder since I don't constantly worry about my hands anymore.

Ill update you all if anything interesting happens :)

Take care!

Day 19 - Still Making Progress

Hi guys!

Its 2:30am right now and I fell asleep when I got home lol I'm still in bed and I'm too lazy to get up and turn on my computer, because I sleep naked ;)

So I am writing this blog post on my blackberry curve 8320! Yeah it has wifi and it is the best cellphone EVER. Period. End of discussion.

My hands are still dry, feet were sweating earlier today when I was watching madigascar with my nephews.

Its like a rollercoaster, the botox I mean, I always get so scared when I see my hands sweat - I immediately think it has worn off :(

My thumbs hurt now.

Goodnight!

Day 18 - Sweating more often!

Hi guys,

I am getting stressed out right now because I have been sweating more than usual since I got botox. It's very uneven sweat pattern and usually goes away on it's own.

Today was another hot and humid day, so maybe that was the cause? It usually starts sweating at the edges of my hands and my finger tips :(

If I ever decide to go back for more botox in 6 months, Ill ask him to inject MORE botox because I don't think 200 units was enough for my tiny hands lol No photos today cuz I still can't find my camera (pissed!)

Day 17 - Finally Reimbursed For The Cost Of Botox

Hi guys,

I know it is late and I should have reported sooner lol My finger tips sweat more now and I am not sure why! Maybe it is the heat? Not sure but I have been a little stressed that it is wearing off already.

I also got reimbursed for the cost of botox :) I just checked my online bank account.

My palms are always dry but at the edges of my hands they seem to sweat. Also sometimes the creases in my fingers...seems odd.

I was doing so well too, but it might just be the heat cuz it has been super hot lately. I paid my tuition this semester, $1438.98 yeah I know it just sucks that school costs so much!

Day 16 - Feeling Better, Still No Sweating

Hi guys,

Thanks vincenzoso for the nice comments!

I feel better and don't think about the break up as much. My hands have been dry all day today and I rarely think about them. Today is really hot outside too and I felt no worries.

Botox has been incredible so far :) the only thing that is pissing me off is that I sent in my bill to my insurance company and I am still waiting (2 weeks now) for them to credit me back for the prescription botox.

I hate insurance companies, they are so quick to to take your money but when they owe you a credit they will take their sweet time!

Day 15 - Nothing To Do With HH & Botox

Hi guys,

Today has been horrible for me....it has nothing to do with botox or hyperhidrosis. I am just in a lot of emotional pain and I feel so down :(

I broke up with my BF last night.

It was my decision, but after 3 years I felt like it was going nowhere. He didnt want to commit so I let him go and he tried to talk me out of it (for the 10th time).

I got sick of it all. I keep feeling like I made a mistake and I want him back but I know that he wasn't right for me. I hope I can get over this quickly - I havent left my house all day and I am still in my jammies :(

I havent eaten since last night and I am not even hungry. I cried so much my pillow is soaked. I hate breakups it makes me feel so sick!

Thanks for listening.

Day 14 - 2 Weeks and Going Strong!

Hey,

It's finally been 2 weeks and I still can't believe it. So far the botox has reduced my sweating to about 10% of what I use to sweat.

I haven't had a sweat attack for a while and it just feels really good. My computer keyboard has been dry and clean :) I can also hold my nephews hand when I take him to the park.

I really hope this blog has helped some of you that suffer from Hyperhidrosis take action before it really effects your mental and emotional health.

I am doing a lot of online research about ETS and I want to know your experiences with it because I definitely don't want to spend this kind of money on botox twice a year! And who knows - I may not have insurance 6 months from now :(

PS - I think my brother took my camera, can't find it.

Day 13 - Finger Tips Sweating

Today must be one of the hottest day of the summer so far in Toronto. My finger tips are sweating more lately but my palms have been super dry!

I guess I can live with this because I don't use my finger tips (near my nail) very often (such as shaking hands).

Only 2 weeks until school starts and I just feel so relieved. I remember last semester using the lab computers was HELL! I was so worried about other people noticing that I was dripping on the keyboard lol

Also the desks in all my classes were black. You know what that means! My fingers would leave little puddles and there were people who would stare at me.

So I have high hopes this semester that I can focus of my classes rather than my hands.

Day 12 - Still Great Results

Hi guys,

Sorry I didn't post Saturday, had a lot of personal issues I was dealing with. My hands are still dry although when I am stressed or very hot I sweat a little. Probably about 20% of what I use to sweat.

This must be normal? My hands get dry quickly too.

So far this has been a really good decision for me, I can't believe I rarely think about my hands. I am really trying to keep posting daily but it's getting harder.

When you have a problem, that's all you think about but when it is fixed it's like a huge burden lifted from your shoulders :)

I can't find my camera - ill post pictures when I can.

Day 10 - Wierd Sweat Pattern

Hi guys,

Today is going well too but last night I noticed I started sweating on the tips of my fingers (where my doctor didn't inject botox) and between the lines on my hands.

That was so odd.

I was really hot but my palms stayed dry though so I know botox is REALLY working. My doctor said that if he injected the very tips of my fingers I wouldn't be able to pick up paper haha! I just wanted to tell him "I don't care if I can't pick up paper, just make sure I don't sweat anymore"

Thanks for all the comments :)

Day 9 - Hands Are Starting To Peel

Hi everyone,

Not much to say today, my hands have been dry for the most part. But I did notice when I applied moisturizer my hands began to sweat a little. Within 5 minutes they were dry again. My feet started to sweat exactly the same time as my hands too.

Muscle weakness is still there, and just as bad as the other day. My doctor's office called me and asked how my progress has been going. I told them it was going really well. It's only been 9 days so I am surprised at how well I am doing.

They told me to wait 2 weeks (14 days) for full results.

The skin around my nails are getting super dry and start to peel :O I am just not use to moisturizing my hands. They look bad when they are dry like this!

Night 8 - Muscle Weakness Hit Me Hard

Hey Guys,

My hands started feeling super weak today. I don't know why I didnt notice it before but it really makes things so much harder!

I felt so weak trying to comb my hair. I had to use BOTH hands to turn on my car :O What is going on??? Let me try to explain the feeling....you know when you are laughing uncontrollably and you can barely do anything with effort?

Yes that is the feeling, but without the laughter.

Just seems like no matter how hard to I try to twist or push things my hands don't follow what I want to do. A few times it was a struggle to turn on my car - I was so embarrassed :(

Turning on the oven was also a struggle! Oh my god I hope this goes away soon.

Day 8 - Wonderful Results So Far

Hi guys,

I am still sweat-free and rarely think about my hands anymore. My notebook keyboard has been clean and dry too :) I damaged my last notebook within a year because my sweat penetrated into the keyboard.

So I think this new notebook will last longer.

Doing my hair has been great. Feels great to be able to run my hands through my hair and it feeling soft rather than having hair get stuck to my hands.

Its the little things I notice that I have been missing out on.

I think Hyperhidrosis is genetic because I know that my dad had it when he was younger. I think my older brother also has it but it is not as bad as mine.

Let me know if anyone in your family suffers from Hyperhidrosis.

Night 7 - Hands Dry All Day!

Hey guys,

I feel like I am repeating myself since there really hasn't been anything to report on, except my hands are still dry :) I have been less stressed out and enjoy everyday more.

School starts in 2 weeks and I am pretty excited. I think I will do so much better in my classes, since I will not be stressed my classmates will see me sweating! I usually can't concentrate and get frustrated at having to hide my hands under my thighs, or putting my sleeves over my hands.

Glad I don't need to do that anymore.

My feet have been dry too, except a few times when I was outside...they began to sweat a little. My mom commented on my dry hands and said to moisturize lol That is just wierd, I never moisturize my hands but I guess I have to start now.

Day 7 - Still Good Progress

Hi guys,

I forgot to post last night, so I am really sorry about that :) I had another sweat attack while I was on the phone with my boyfriend (we had an argument) and I was getting really upset and my hands began to sweat.

I am not sure if that had to do with stress or getting worked up, but once I calmed down my hands were dry again. I also noticed that the sweat wasn't heavy, it was just moisture and my hands were still warm.

If it was my Hyperhidrosis coming back, my hands would be dripping and they wouldn't get dry on their own. So I thought about this last night and realized that the botox doesn't stop you from sweating completely because sometimes your body needs it.

This is another reason I did not want to go for ETS surgery. This procedure eliminates sweat from your hands and upper body completely...So you will NEVER sweat there.

You would then develop compensatory sweating in other parts of your body, which is crazy. So far, I love botox for hyperhidrosis - but the cost is a little high. I was thinking about opening a separate "hyperhidrosis fund" to save some money for my next treatment :)

Love yall!

Day 6 - Hands Are Dry, Mind Is Wandering

Good morning!

I have a dentist appointment in a few hours...I hate dentists. They are nice people but their job is like torture. I may need to get my wisdom teeth pulled :O

My hands are dry, warm and less swollen than they used to be. What I mean is, when I use to sweat constantly - my fingers would swell up sort of like a sponge filling with water.

Take a look at the first post and you will see what I mean :) Now my hands looks so much more "womanly". I am also a nail biter because of the anxiety of my HH. I am looking forward to getting my nails done at a salon.

I never had my nails done :(

Vincenzoso, the muscle weakness is like 95% gone. I rarely notice it. I am not sure what it is though, the botox or the nerve block?

Maybe if I didn't opt for the nerve block I wouldnt get muscle weakness? Maybe it's the botox. I couldn't say for sure.

It is so odd to not think about your sweaty hands every minute of the day. Almost like my mind needs something else to worry about. I can't believe how "normal" people have it so much easier than people who suffer from HH!

It hurts me to know that there are others out there that need treatment but can't get it because it's expensive. Everyone should be able to live a "normal" sweat-free life and not have to worry about this.

It makes me want to cry sometimes. I hope one day the governments of all countries find a cure that is not surgery but doesn't cost as much as botox.

PS - I left my camera in the car so Ill post pictures when I get back from the dentist :)

Take Care!

Night 5 - Minor Sweat Attack

Hi Guys,

I had a small "sweat attack" today, only because it was really hot outside and I was planting some flowers in the front yard :) But within 10 minutes my hands were completely dry again.

I have to admit, I did panic and think that the botox stopped working!

Thanks for the comments Vincenzoso and Jason!

Goodnight.

PS didnt upload pics since hands are still dry :)

Day 5 - Still Dry and Warm!

Morning everyone,

I woke up very late today :) but it's Sunday so it's okay. My hands are still dry and they still have a yellow stain from the starch-iodine test.

The muscle weakness is gone and I can do just about anything with them. I think that there is a correlation between my hands sweating and my feet sweating.

I am not a doctor (but then again they don't know anything about HH) but I swear since my hands have been dry so have my feet. The cosmetic docotor I went to wanted to inject botox in my feet too but I told him I just needed it for my hands, and I could live with sweaty feet.

By the way, I still get that sensation of sweating and sometimes i get a few shinny patches but it drys up withing seconds, weird!

This is a great side effect though. Maybe I will wear sandals today :) I haven't seen sandals in a few years. My feet for slip and slide right out of them onto the pavement (OUCH).

Another thing that just got easier - blow drying my hair! Who would have guessed it? Before I use to blow dry my hair and it would take forever because my hands would be dripping and my hair would get wet again lol

Night 4 - Night Out With My BF

Hi Guys,

I love the fact that people leave comments :) makes me feel like I am not alone in this World-Wide-Web so please keep them coming!

Tonight my boyfriend took me out to dinner and then a movie. It was so stress-free, and I felt great. I decided to wear a really sexy silk top which was sleeveless and some jeans. My hands were dry even though I kept thinking "when are my hands going to get sweaty".

It's almost as if I have no faith in the botox, like it will wear off any minute. But it didn't.

I kept holding my boyfriends hand, and flirting with him. He loved it but kept asking my why I wanted to hold his hand since in the past I hated it and I would yell at him if he tried to touch my hands.

I felt so bad that I was so mean to him regarding this. But I couldn't tell him I got botox cuz I know he would be pissed I spent money like that.

Anyway I told him that I wasn't nervous around him anymore so I wasn't getting sweaty. I couldn't keep my hands off him! For the first time I can touch his face, hold his hand and uh - get a little more intimate in the car lol

Everyone with HH needs to know that life is not as fun if all your worried about are if others notice your sweaty hands and feet. Get up and do something about it! Live and enjoy your life.

I do not regret getting botox - even with the cost of it. Most of it was covered by my insurance, but to be honest I would pay full price for my happiness :)

Take Care!

On my way to meet BF - Hands are dry!

Felt amazing to have the steering wheel slide through my hands :)

Day 4 - Still Improving!

Hey everyone!

Hope you guys enjoy the 2008 Beijing Olympic ceremony! Okay so let's get to my progress, which has been really good. Since yesturday I have not had a "sweat attack".

I went to Payless Shoes today to buy some new sandals and it was the best experience I have ever had! My hands were dry and so were my feet, which made trying on sandals SO EASY and I didn't leave a puddle in them :)

My hands have become so dry that skin is starting to flake off. I wouldn't say it's hard for me to handle paper or anything, but they were like a desert.

At this moment, even though I am thinking about my hands they remain dry. School is coming up in a few weeks and I feel so relieved. I hope this will continue because I will definitely have a great semester :)

Also I had spicy Indian food yesturday and a hot cup of tea - didn't sweat at all!

It's a miracle, halilouya!

Left hand dry and warm.

No shinny hands here.


Shoes I Bought From Payless! Very Comfy :)

Day 3 - Continued (10 minutes later)

Ok so I spoke too soon regarding the results. 10 minutes after writing that post, my hands started getting sweaty - no idea why.

I guess I just have to wait a little longer for my full results. :(

Day 3 - So Far So Good!

Hi guys!

I am typing this on my notebook and my hands are still dry! It has been more than 12 hours so far that I have not sweat at all.

The amazing thing is that since my hands stopped sweating my feet aren't sweating either. Is there a link? I didn't get botox for my feet, yet they are sweat free. I did notice that whenever my hands started to sweat before, so did my feet.

I am just so happy that I got some results - but this is incredible. I was scared that it wouldn't work and that I had wasted my money because they made me sign a document stating that "I know this is not a cure and that it is not guaranteed to work".

The wierd thing is that I still get the sensation that I am about to sweat, it sort of is like a funny feeling in your tummy. Kind of like being nervous on stage - but it happens anytime, like when I am eating or getting ready to sleep.

So now I get freaked out about this feeling, then I start feeling my hands just to make sure. It baffles me that when I get this sensation that my hands stay dry?

I guess it's psychological.

I am not sure if this will go away. It reminds me of when someone get their arm or leg amputated, but their body still thinks it's there. I don't know if you guys know what I am talking about.

Well I am pretty happy right now, I can start wearing tank tops and short sleeve shirts now. I use to only wear long sleeve tops because then it was easier to hide them when they got really sweaty.

Take Care!

Night 2 - Less Sweaty Than Normal

Hi Guys!

I went out today and it was really hot yet I did not sweat as much while I was driving. In normal circumstances there would be sweat dripping from the steering wheel.

Maybe the botox is kicking in? Maybe I want to BELIEVE it's working so it makes me less stressed about my hyperhidrosis?

I wanted to test this out, so what I did was I started staring at my dry hands and trying to concentrate on making them more sweaty. The last post was done earlier in the day and it was REALLY easy to get my hands to sweat.

But now I find it getting harder. I don't want to get too far ahead of myself about this, but I am pretty excited. If it really is the botox, then I am really surprised that it is working this quickly.

Hands Are SO Dry! Yayyy

Day 2 - Video On How Quickly My Hands Sweat

Hi everyone,

I noticed my hands were stained yellow by the starch-iodine test, but I am not too worried about that. So far I notice nothing different in the amount of sweat or how often I sweat.

I also have tiny bruises on the injection sites but no one else can see them unless they look really closely. The weakness in the hands are getting better slowly and it's a side effect that I can deal with.

Here is a video I decided to make on how quickly my hands can start from dry to sweaty.

Enjoy!




http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4963185197605619786

Day 2 - Still Waiting For My Hands To Dry Up

Hey guys,

So this is day 2 and I am really hoping I notice some improvement, but unfortunately it may be too early to tell. The doctor who preformed the botox injections into my palms said it could take up to 2 weeks to see the results.

I am not very patient.

I woke up this morning to dry hands as usual but the minute my feet hit the ground, little droplets of sweat were all over my hands and feet.

I swear it is almost like a magic trick - wish I could get paid for it.

My hands still feel weak but it is mostly in the area where they injected the nerve block. I think I should have not gotten that because it didn't work very well and it might have done more harm than good.

Night 1 - Hands Feeling Weak!

It's 12:58am EST in Toronto

I have been bragging about the fact that I had no side effects right after the botox injections, but I spoke too soon...

My hands are so weak right now that it hurts to type on my notebook :( I feel like I have arthritis. I couldn't open my peanut butter jar, I had a hard time getting dressed and I could barely flush the toilet without being in pain!

This is scary and I hope it doesn't last too long.

Day 1 - After Botox Injections

My appointment was at 2:45 and I got there 15 minutes early. While I was waiting all I could think about was how easy my life will be after the treatment, at least for 6 months.

The first thing they did was a starch-iodine test where they swab your skin with iodine then they put powder starch on your had. It turns dark blue where your sweat the most.

It was quick and simple.

Next, the doctor came in an injected something to numb my hand. He told me to wait 5-10 minutes for it to take effect. By the time he came back only my lower palm and thumb were numb and I was a little nervous about that.

He wanted to get started with the botox injections and said by the time he would get to my fingers I wouldn't feel anything.

Boy was he wrong! I still felt the sting. It felt like tiny ant bites but it wasn't too bad because he kept me distracted my asking me about my life :)

After the botox injections in my hands, I was told not to drive but instead to walk around and go to starbucks or tim hortons. I felt fine and could still feel my hands very well - yeah you guessed it, I went ahead and drove home.

As soon as I got home I started cooking. My hands felt completely normal, sweaty, but normal.



Total Cost: $900 for 200 units of Botox + $260 administration fee.

My insurance is going to cover the $900 but I still had to pay upfront and send them the bill so I can be reimbursed for the amount.

Day 1 - Botox Appointment

Hello everyone,

Today is the day of my botox appointment and I am really nervous but also excited. I am sweating more than usual right now but I am glad because then my doctor can see how bad it is.

I had a consultation (which was free) and his office was so air conditioned that my hands felt like I was hold ice. They were moist and cold but weren't dripping. When I am out in public my hands would drip and when I wipe them on my pants or sleeves they would leave a dark stain hand mark!

I have lived with hyperhidrosis since I was 12 years old and it has caused me so much emotional pain all through highschool and now in college.

I am a 21 year old woman and cannot hold my boyfriends hand, I hate getting intimate with him because of this condition. I also feel helpless at school because I don`t feel like I am doing my best. I don`t join any clubs or athletic sports because of my sweaty hands and feet.

I has totally ruined my life this far, and I have taken the first step to improving my emotional health.

Hopefully the botox will be my life saver.