End of my tether!!

I've had facial hh for the last 16 years (I'm 31). I've tried every natural product out there and spent a small fortune in the process. I've tried Avert and other drugs but am not a fan of long term drug use. They seemed to work well but not all the time.

Like us all I have all the other associated problems with this disease. I've not had a job for a year, I can't go to interviews because I will just pour from my face. I live in London and even catching the tube to go somewhere is too much.

I'm losing my personality and my life, I don't even leave my room much anymore. I want it back.

The last option I can see of is botox, has anyone had botox for facial hh, if so, how well did it work? Did it last the 6/7 months as mentioned?

I'm in London, if anyone knows of any reputable and decent clinics could you please mention some names?

I don't have much money as I've eaten into all of my savings the last year, with that being said I want to make sure i'm spending this money wisely.

Any input/info received would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading guys.

I heard that witch hazel works really well for facial hyperhidrosis. I used it on the back of my legs before and it worked really well.

Hi Jay, used Witch Hazel before and it didn't work. Used the liquid and ointment :sad:

I understand what you mean about not wanting to be taking drugs long term, but remember that natural products/plant extracts etc. are drugs. The difference is when you take a pill you're taking a single compound, whereas if you make sage tea or some other extract, then it contains hundreds of compounds. Not saying one is better than the other, just that just because something is more natural doesn't inherently make it safer.

That being said, it might be worth finding a dose of Avert or similar that works for you (remember that when you eat before/after is just as important if not more than the dose itself), so you can go to interviews having taken enough that you wont sweat visibly. If you have taken the dose several times and know it works, that might give you a bit more confidence that you wont sweat during the interview, reducing some of the anxiety.

Might be worth considering just to get through interviews, which are undoubtedly one of the most anxiety-inducing experiences for those of us with hh!

Hi Sam, thanks for the message. I've been using Avert on and off for a couple of years now, I'm just sick of the whole thing. I really do envy those who don't have our problem. It crushes your self-esteem.

How about crushing up your Glyco pills into some moisturiser and using it as a topical cream instead? I've heard of people doing that with good results.

Have you tried Iontophoresis?

Good idea Zee, I've never thought about that. I've got some sitting around so will be worth an experiment, I can put my Chemistry degree to some use! Not had ionto, heard it's not particularly good for cranio-facial. What do you suffer from?

Mostly carnio-facial, I've not tried Iontophoresis myself. I also hear it's not well suited for facial hyperhidrosis, but that doesn't mean it won't work.

I tried yesterday to make a Pro-Banthine cream, it wasn't successful, but I was told it probably wouldn't be due to the nature of Pro-Banthine. They don't actually do a topical version of it. Rather than moisturiser you may be better off just dissolving the pills in water actually, it will absorb better into your skin and not clog your pores.

True, it could work as everyone's different but I've not come across many reports of it working well for our form of hh.

Shame your cream didn't come out right, but I think you're on to something in terms of reducing side-effects when using these prescription drugs.

Hey Sequence,

I've had facial sweating for 6 years and have primarily used secure wipes and avert on big occasions. I've spent more time trying different CBT thought patterns and exposures.

I just began seeing an expert and I've outlined my experience here: http://www.socialphobiaworld.com/trying-out-exposure-therapy-59502/

For one, he had me stop using the wipes since it is a safety behavior and sort of defeats the purpose of all the situational exposure therapy work I did in the past.

The self disclosure I describe in the post is not as tough as it initially sounds although you really need a therapist to motivate and encourage you. Since I wrote the second post, I have tried it out on a job interview that I scheduled for practice. I self disclosed that I get nervous in job interviews and tend to sweat and the guy was soooo accommodating and basically wanted me to feel at ease. The key to self disclosure is to start with "I feel embarrassed..." this invokes empathy on the part of someone else and brings them to your side immediately.

It has only been 1.5 weeks for me and I still have my ups and downs but it has been effective thus far and with more work I think I could get there. I'm currently working out how to self disclose in a situation where I have no need to be embarrassed and it really is even more awkward. For example, I was interviewing a candidate for a position today, or when I mentor a younger person.

I wish the very best for you in your journey.