Iontophoresis for hyperbydrosis

[Smogtopia]

This has to be the year I tackle this debilitating bastard of a thing.

It's a 'secret' thing I battle with - I wear certain clothes / fabrics and even avoid certain things (the sheer thought of going to a dance class and holding a strangers hand is petrifying)

This has to be the year.

I tried iontopheresis on hands and feet about ten years ago via NHS but never pursued it afterwards. I recall it working well.

I've botoxed my underarms twice but finances then put a stop to that carrying on.

I'm in a brain fizz of looking at the at home iontopheresis machines so I can attempt to get this and keep it under control.

Problem areas
Armpits / hands and feet all the time
Groin 80% of the year - any warm weather of any stressful situation
Face - on a very hot day but I feel this is manageable (mainly because my other areas are so bad)

Ps. If anyone wants to suggest driclor or anything over the counter then with respect you don't have full hyperhydrosis!

I've not got the funds to buy a machine and treat as many areas as physically possible at home!

Anyone done the same?

(I'm early 40s. Healthy weight not peri yet)

I've now got the funds for an at home machine that should say!

Fellow sufferer here. I too had iontophoresis years ago with a little improvement, but found it extremely irritating to my skin.

Following this I was prescribed an oral anticholinergic drug by a dermatologist (glycopyrronium bromide) and have taken them ever since. Honestly, they've been life changing for me.

Thanks so much for your reply @Stumbleine

If you don't mind can you tell me about your sweating previously and any side effects to the drugs?

Whenever I go down the Google rabbit hole it just seems to be Botox / ionto or surgery - there's such scant information about the drugs. Are you UK based?

@Smogtopia I am in the UK. My sweating was primarily hands (different story now I'm most likely peri menopausal ). Was a huge source of anxiety and caused a lot of angst for me in my then career in healthcare.

The drugs...side effects are initially dry mouth as they can dry up all secretions. I don't get this any more though. I am told they are quite expensive though so I'm not sure about prescribing guidelines nowadays.

Oh I'm so glad it's been fixed for you I don't think anyone can comprehend how life restricting it is!

I'm hoping I get some other posts regarding other experiences

Urgh, it's shit, OP. I have it as a result of a more overarching condition and it really pisses me off.

Unfortunately, mine is worst on my groin, chest and back so I don't think the machines are for me. My groin has gotten so bad at times recently that I was convinced I was leaking urine but no, it's still sweat.

Oh barold the groin is the worst!! I can just about tolerate the horrible feeling - but now summer is coming I'm having to tolerate what to wear so I'm not looking like I've peed my pants.

The problem with ionto is you have to keep it up. Forever. I had a machine, then sold it on as it was too much hassle. I also took the pills mentioned by a PP but felt like a zombie on them.

There is a reddit forum that is fairly active: https://old.reddit.com/r/Hyperhidrosis/

I know the forever part feels daunting but I know between April September I'd happily do it a few times a week - I've been known to leave socials early or not attend because either sweat patches or feeling ugly in a carefully curated outfit that masks patches

What are you doing now @MattDamon - any treatments or have you given up hope?

Were you prescribed the pills in the UK?

I disagree with the groin being the worst - the face & scalp is the worst. I've been assumed to be an alcoholic and even a drug addict in withdrawal. I cannot wear make up or have my hair down. I now need to shave my hair as it's constantly wet so no point having any hair.
I once had a pharmacist see me in the queue and come up to me, explaining that they "don't dispense Methadone" there I've had a checkout assistant refuse to sell me a bottle of Baileys as I apparently didn't 'really' need it, did I?

Oh and Iontophoresis doesn't work on the scalp and very rarely works on the face

Period Pants by Cheeky Wipes

I'm oh schooltrip that really does sound awful.

Have you explored any of the medications mentioned? Can you use Botox on the face for sweating without losing movement?

You have my complete sympathy - my face / scalp whilst being 20x worse than any friends is still something I currently 'manage' and I can 'get away' with it through using fans / lightweight make up or filling my hair with dry shampoo.

I was the only person I knew who refused a summer wedding... can any of us imagine anything worse!

Will try period pants! I always assumed they'd create a warm watertight environment that may lead to fungal infections (had a few of those when tights were mandatory in my uniform historically)

I'm in the UK, but I ordered from a website abroad. I'll PM you the link. I will say the meds worked. I was able to wear sandals for the first time in my life. They are worth trying, but I couldn't handle the side effects. Search for testimonials in the Reddit forum for more opinions.

Right now, I use drysol on underarms and body (inc. groin). It's annoying but it mostly works if I keep it up. Hands and feet, I just muddle through. I keep wet wipes and tissue in my handbag in case I need to give the hands or forehead a quick tidy. I use inserts in shoes to prevent sweaty smells.

I'm going to try period pants this summer, so thanks to PP for the rec!

Thanks I will look out for the link! The side effects do look pretty grim! I wonder if they work short term and I can take them for events or summer holidays for example...

The Reddit thread is brilliant - it's a shame it's quite USA based as I'd love to find recommendations for clinics based near me or even London if I have to travel!

I will try your recommendations @MattDamon thanks for sharing

My local trust doesn't do Botox on the NHS and it cannot be done on the scalp.

I've been on medication for it for 22 years now but it only reduces it slightly. If I increase the medication it dries out my mouth so much that I become unable to eat or speak due to no saliva whatsoever. My mouth literally becomes dry to the touch! Water doesn't help, dry mouth spray does nothing. Absolutely horrendous

No, period pants are fabulous and they're moisture-wicking by design

I recommend Cheeky Wiles ones specifically as the absorbent area is much, much larger than any other brands I've found

*Cheeky Wipes