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[ttapplicant]

Forumite posting under a new identity ("sock puppet" sounds so weird).

I've been having a problem with severe day sweating. It's been going on for 4 years. I'm wondering if anyone experiences anything like this.  I've had major bouts of night sweats, but those come and go. It's the day sweats that are the problem. I sweat only during and after exercise. But it only takes a small amount of exercise, like brisk walking to the bus stop or the store, and I am drenched.  I end up at work (or the store, a restaurant, or a social event) disheveled. My hair is plastered to my forehead and face, the sweat drips down my face, neck and back, and I look like h3ll for about an hour, until I cool off and my hair dries enough for me to comb it or pull it back.  My solution at work has been to retreat to the bathroom and use a hair dryer (although the heat from the hair dryer sometimes sets off another round of sweating) I also bring a change of underthings...sometimes, I'll need to change twice in one day.  But bringing an entire second set of office clothes is not practical.

It's a manageable problem, but I wonder what is going on. No one else on the bus is a sweaty, sweltering, dripping mess the way I am. No one in my office arrives looking like they've run a marathon. People stare (not my colleagues, but in public). I can't control how I look when I go somewhere else besides office or home. I arrive looking unprofessional, unattractive, and unfeminine. I take a lot of care to look professional and pulled together, and I feel unfeminine when I'm so disheveled.

I've thought that it might be perimenopause.  I'm in my mid-40s. Hormone tests have been normal. (TB and medication have been ruled out as causes). I know there must be a genetic component. I've always overheated and sweat easily, and my father would sweat profusely. What's different is now it takes only a little exercise to trigger buckets of sweat. I'm also athletic. I know that people who are fit tend to sweat more because the body becomes more efficient at cooling. But this is ridiculous.

Can anyone shed any light on what might be going on?

[voxprincipalis]

I can't help you diagnose the source, but Botox has been successfully used to treat hyperhidrosis for several years. It might be an option for you.

VP

[bald_cypress]

My mom, my kids, and I all are big sweat-ers, so I've always figured it was hereditary. I've used that heavy-duty antiperspirant (Mitchem's I think) since high school, but of course it does nothing for face and other body parts.

Mine got worse during menopause. It's better now, but my internal temperature gauge doesn't seem to work as well as it did before menopause. If I get embarrassed or surprised, I break out in a sweat. Nothing is worse that feeling the sweat trickle down your back, hoping it won't stain through your shirt & pants.

 You might try wearing a headband to keep your hair off your face, then you could dab your face dry more easily. Use diaper wipes (to dab your face dry) that have no cream (clogged pores) and the coolness of the wipes might also help cool you down. I don't know how to say this delicately, but keep the feminine body hair closely trimmed if you sweat a lot between your legs. It somewhat helps the moisture evaporate faster.

Since your doctor has ruled out serious problems, you might just be stuck with this lousy condition. I'm sorry, and I know, somewhat,  how you feel.

[biomancer]

Has your physician checked your thyroid function recently?  Sometimes thyroid hormone imbalances can really mess with one's internal thermostat.  (I know you said your hormone levels were normal, but I don't feel safe assuming which hormones were tested.)

[alastrina]

If it is a thyroid problem, your TSH can still be within "normal" range.  I'm finding that the range labs give as normal is rather broad and extends past what specialists consider functional.  I've been diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease, an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid.  My TSH level has always tested within range but by T3 and T4 levels were all over the place and I tested positive for anti-TPO (antibodies). This is more concerning internal thermostat issues though.  My CS knows not to bother asking me if it's hot or cold in the room because what I'm feeling generally has nothing to do with the actual temperature.

Have you ever had moments where your arms are cold but your underarms were practically dripping?  Those make me nuts.

[shiraz]

Adlib-
First, I'm very sorry.  I can somewhat relate.  I sweat very easily and all over, although not quite as severely as what you describe.  And the "industrially strength" deodorants only work on your underarms.  (Same with Botox--you *won't* sweat under your arms, but you will still sweat elsewhere).

Have you thought about trying acupuncture?  I know a lot of people are squeamish about needles--and I am certainly one of them--but it is NOTHING like getting an injection.  I don't feel 99% of the needles as they go in and once they are in, nothing at all.  Feel free to PM about acupuncture if you are interested.  I bring it up because I've noticed that I am sweating less since I started acupuncture (although that's not why I go--it's just an added bonus!)

Good luck!

[ttapplicant]

First, a big thank you to everyone who replied. I wasn't expecting so many responses, or such helpful ones. And I'm really, truly gratified to know that I am not alone!

In no order:

shiraz: I could probably slather antiperspirant over my back and forehead. It's the scalp and crotch that would be tricky. No, I'm joking.  I've used acupuncture to treat other problems, so why not sweating? That's a great suggestion. btw, in Chinese medicine, I am always diagnosed with "kidney yin deficiency", i.e. I produce too much heat. As if I didn't already know...

VP: I had heard about Botox as a treatment. I will see what my new family doctor has to say about that.

alastrina & biomancer: Thanks for telling me about this. This is the way I'm leaning. My anti-TPO antibodies were elevated last year. The endo ruled out hypothyroid, saying she didn't find enough other clinical signs, but that we should keep an eye on my antibodies. There's thryoid problems in my family, and based on other symptoms, I've long suspected I might have subclinical hypothroidism. I'm due for blood work tomorrow, so that will be interesting. I really lean towards there being something wacky with my endocrine system, as I'm often very chilled, but overheat so quickly. So, I know what it's like to be freezing and dripping at the same time!  It's really so much fun.

bald_cypress: I wish I could the headband trick, but it leaves a mark on my forehead all day (I have very imprintable skin, apparently), and really bad hair.  So I dab with a bandana or my scarf.

The one upside to sweating so much is that when it's done and I'm dried out, I look great! Like I've come from a spa treatment. I'm flushed; my skin has that moist, dewy, look; and my hair is full and wavy.

[mignon]

Yes, there is a bright side to sweat.  I never sweat, have few/no tears, dry skin, and a lack of spit.  Yucky!!  

I wish we could run into each other and exchange half for half like in those old Reese's Peanut Butter Cups commercials.

[ttapplicant]

Yes, there is a bright side to sweat.  I never sweat, have few/no tears, dry skin, and a lack of spit.  Yucky!! 

I wish we could run into each other and exchange half for half like in those old Reese's Peanut Butter Cups commercials.

Next time I am frantically daubing at the streams running down my face, I will remember this and count my blessings! Thanks, Mignon.