Going to Try Botox for HH

Hi,
I have palmar HH, axillary and foot but not bad (doesn't smell or soak things, socks only damp when I work out). Drysol and such products work on my underarms (with some irritation so i only use it when I really need to, maybe it works for a day or two with one application after night shower). My body probably sweats in some places a little more than normal people do but it's really not noticible or odorous.

The hand is horrible, I am 30 and it is very embarassing in professional and social situations. I usually try to avoid shaking hands and it really stinks when I have to do something for someone on their computer, get the mouse, mousepad, keys all wet so i have to be careful. I've tried the topical on hands and it does not work, even tried little silly remedies like powder (my husband's billiard talc) deoderant on my hands when I know I have to meet people but doesn't work. Some people have mentioned "your hands are wet" ugh its so embarassing if they have the nerves to say something.

Anyhow, I'm not sure in the UK or where some of you are from, but in the US Botox has been used to temporarily treat it. I went to a new doctor, told him I was concerned about my hands saying that topical doesnt work and he right away suggested Botox which is what I went there to inquire about in the first place. When I told him I refused to have the surgery as my last dermatologist had said (she only knew about topical and surgery, nothing in between) he was like no way (for my case). I think the surgery might be for the extreme cases. My old Derm said they have to collapse a lung and cut a nerve?? Is that true?

So for the Botox, I found out that my insurance covers it! I'm a little nervous about muscle weakness and things like that but I need to try this and see if it works. Plan on trying one hand. I'll deal with the pain. We'll see! BUT after much research I hear it is most successful in the underarms. I would do it there but 1)topical helps me and 2)im afraid it would make more go to the hands which is my worst. But that could be a solution for others.

Thanks for this board, I never thought to seek out others suffering from this! I wish I found it years ago when this started getting worse!

Definately try Iontophoresis first before paying loads of money for botox. Get a decent machine like the idrostar or idromed GS (don't bother with the drionic-heap of shit).

You need to use the machine everyday for about 10-15 minutes for about two weeks then cut the treatments down to about once or twice a week. Hopefully over a period of a few months your hands will become a lot dryer.

Surfsider - I know my underarms and hands had been extra sweaty since adolescense...but if they physically got worse from my 20's to 30 I'm not sure - and probably not, maybe once puberty ends they stay the same? Hmm. I should've worded it differently. I think I noticed it more after college once I started working, and coming across more grown-up situations or in the past few years starting when people sometimes acknowlege it. I think I always knew about it but can't recall any situations in my young 20's where I was really upset about it, I think the first time I mentioned it to my old Derm was when I had another issue and she gave me Drysol. That mightve been in late college or right after. I probably shook hands or wet papers and was like "whatever", as far as underarms, I'd just wear certain things that didn't show it as much if necessary or keep my arms down (I still do that when I don't feel like using the topical which is most of the time - only use topical when I know I have something the next day where I need to control it). I blew it off at the time. It was probalby 'worse' when it started affecting me more AND when I know I have to shake hands or touch something it gets worse from anxiety of having to do it! That's the part I don't think I had years ago in the college carefree days. It's great people are starting to get it under control so young. I shoud've done something more at 25 at least! And this is the first time I started pursuing relief since last summer - I let almost a year go by and then it started gnawing at me again, I have to go on a business trip and I was like , i HAVE to do something NOW.

As far as the machine, I have heard of it, strangely both Derms, old and new, havent mentioned it... but right now I have no time for it. I am going to be traveling a bit for business and other reasons and I am desperate for a fast possible treatment (though i may not get the appt in time for one of the trips boo hoo!! They are going to try to rush it). Insurance covers it (the visit, the injections and the drug) so it shouldn't cost loads of money to give it a try. If that doesn't work, I'll try the machine. And I will ask the doc for maybe a better topical, right now I have Hydro-something, I just know it's 20% A.C. I tried some wipes I had today, hand was still kinda wet but sticky too.

Good luck to you all too! Will let you know what happens...

PAINLESS Botox injections

Hi tiny83, I'm a new member here and I'm also considering botox. This is my very first post! I'm terrified of the pain - they say the underam injections don't hurt too bad but the hands and feet are horrible . So I'm in the process of finding the least painful method for botox injections. I have several questions for you...

First of all, have you tried all of the topicals? One of the most effective topical is Hydrosal gel developed by world renowned expert on hyperhidrosis Dr. Antranik Benohanian. It is different because it's in a salicylic acid gel which is better absorbed by the hands and feet. I tried it and although it worked better than any other topical (I would say 75% dry), it had too many side effects. It might work for you.

I am now going to dry Dehydral which is 8% methenamine. I recently ordered it and its on its way. Have you tried Dehydral?

And my third question is - have you heard of MedJet anesthesia for botox injections? If Dehydral doesn't work for me I might travel to Montreal, Canada to see Dr. Antranik Benohanian. He's developed a way of injecting botox which is supposed to be a lot less painful. He uses something called MedJet needle free anesthesia to inject the analgesia, then your hands go completely numb and then he injects the Botox with (hopefully) little to no pain.

So far this seems to be the least painful method available for anyone interested in botox and he's truly a leading expert - his papers and studies have been published in medical journals. He also gets a lot of American patients. On the downside, some people have said on a doctor reviewing website that's he's rude and arrogant and that some of his office staff is rude as well, but he's still one of the best :roll:. This is obviously the most expensive route since 1)I would have to travel and 2)botox is very expensive and 3)my insurance will most likely not cover this because I would be receiving treatment outside the USA. So I am leaving this as my last option. But it is so tempting to get painless botox injections and to get to travel to beautiful Montreal as well! If you're interested, here's his info...

http://www.benohanian.com
(info about him, his training & credentials)

http://www.hyperhidrosis.ca/inject_hands.htm
(details about his MedJet needle free anesthesia)

His office emails are: [email protected] OR [email protected]

That's interesting thanks for the insight, I never heard of that before, I'm not sure the pain that I will receive in my hands yet but I'm willing to do it. Luckily I have a higher threshold of pain and will just suck it up. I was going to do one hand at a time but the doc feels I should do both in the same visit, then come back for axillary (which as you said, is supposed to be much less painful). I will let you know what happens.

I definately don't plan on traveling outside the US for it when it seems the place I go now is good and I guess I'll find out soon enough. Since my insurance pays as I am told, another reason to get it done locally.