A question to those of u that suffer panic attacks/anxiety

[alexa1]

Hi. I have quite an embarrassing problem which I have learnt to put up with for years now.

Basically, I sweat under my arms when I am in public, especially in new situation or with new people. I don't sweat in the house, it's only when I leave the house I start to sweat. I don't seem to sweat anywhere else profusely, only under the arms. This problem makes my choice in clothing very difficult. I can only wear black tops, or multi-coloured tops which aren't going to show the sweat stains. I see some women wearing lovely colourd tops, like blue, orange, green etc, and I know I can never wear those colours because of my problem.

I know the problem is because of my panic disorder/anxiety attacks in public. But I would just love to wear the colour tops other people wear and not just black all the time.

I have tried Driclor and triple dry which did nothing.

Any advice.

[LucyJones]

I don't have any advice but just wanted to say I really feel for you. I too have suffered from panic attacks, the problem I have though is feeling the need to open my bowels and my tummy making horrendous gurgling sounds. I used to get it in meetings at work which was really embarassing.

[alexa1]

Lucy - I too get the problems u described. It's quite embarrassing isn't. I'm dreading going back to college, as soon as I am in a lecture my stomach starts to rumble like mad, and I can hear people snigger.

[LucyJones]

Phew, I thought I was the only one - tbh the thought of just sweating would be bliss but I can see that both most be horrid. I do go hot and faint sometimes.... The oly thing I can think of is maybe to ask your gp. I've heard some people have been put on beta blockers for panic attacks but don't know if they help

[alexa1]

Lucy- I have discussed the problem with my GP and he gave me a prescription for Driclor and anti-depressants which Had horrid side effects.

[jabberwocky]

There is a drug you can take, can't remember the name right now, but a lot of executives take it before big presentations, etc. Drugs in the anti-depressant class such as zoloft or prozac can be useful as well as standard anti=-anxiety drugs such as xanax.

[alexa1]

Jabber - My GP did prescribe me Diazepam only 2mg for a presentation I had to do. It was only a 10 minute presentation but I thought I would never in a million years be able to do it but I did. The Diazepam worked. Apparantley though it can't be prescribed long term. Does anyone know why? I thought it was really good with no funny side effects.

Jabber - if u remember the name of that drug please let me know.

[cheeryface]

when i tried antidepressants a few years ago they actually caused me to sweat like mad.

the best deoderant i have used (and still use) is that mitchum roll on.

[horsecrazy]

hi there alexa1, I have suffered Panic attacks anxiety since I was a 12 and have been on medication for it ever since I am now 34 but have never had any oversweating problems because of this...........I have had four children and have recently had postnatal depression and am now on an anti depressant which does cause some excessive sweating. Do you think this could be the problem?

[jabberwocky]

Hey, alexa. I have emailed my brother, a physician, to see if he knows. It's so frustraing, right at the tip of my tongue. grrrr, pregnancy brain...

[champs]

hiya!! just wanted to add a suportive voice on your thread. I have diff types of panics but they make me feel horrid aswell.

have you tried mitchim dry sticks?

also has you gp found out if you have overactive sweat glands in you under arm area?

[jabberwocky]

Found it! It's propranol/inderal