Source
r/Hyperhidrosis•
Titsofury

Birth control/antidepressants for treatment

I've been suffering from hyperhidrosis for close to 20 yrs now. I've never been given that diagnosis by a doctor, but I fit the bill in every way.

It started out around puberty with my armpits, then started to include my hands and feet. I tried different deodorants including a prescription one that felt like I was given pits a chemical burn when I applied it and also seemed to amplify my BO.

About a year or two ago, maybe a bit longer I started up with night sweats. At first it was just a damp neck/hairline, and damp chest. Now I'm completely drenching multiple sets of pjs, my sheets to the point of waking up my spouse and changing sheets multiple times a night, or laying down towels.

I am so fed up with this. I went to the doctor yesterday, (actually i saw the PA, same office ive been going to all my life) and their suggestion is to treat me with birth control or an anti depressant. Has anyone ever had this suggested to them? If so, did it work? Once again, the PA did not say I had hyperhidrosis (I do, it's pretty damn clear) just that my blood work was fine, have my choice of this pill or that.

I can't live like this anymore. I just found the international hyperhidrosis whatever site, and did some research and it seems like those two options often CAUSE excessive sweating..guys..are they trying to trick me in to turning myself in to a prune??

Posted Aug 6, 2016, 2:35 AM UTC

59
TesseractThief•

I'm on both birth control and anti depressants for reasons other than hyperhidrosis treatment, and they have not helped with my sweating. Instead, I do Botox for my underarms and iontophoresis for my hands and feet. I rarely have fun body sweats at night, but I do find that sleeping in minimal clothing, with few blankets, and in a cold room help out. Best of luck!

3
TitsofuryOP•

Thanks! I have tried both in my past for other reasons as well and never had a decrease in sweating. I'm assuming her thought process is that it's hormonal, but my body doesn't seem to like those types of drugs. As far as the sleeping goes, I've tried sleeping naked, sleeping separately from my husband, only using a sheet. I'm just finding out about Thompson tees and all these drugs and treatments available. I was pretty convinced my only option was botox or the OTC deodorants. I hope you continue to have luck with your treatments!

2
TesseractThief•

Thanks so much, I hope you find a solution as well!

1
megsaid•

How much was the botox?

2
TesseractThief•

I'm in Canada, so I'm not sure how applicable it is outside of here, but one botox vial (which is sufficient for both underarms) is $400, plus a $100 dermatologist fee. Luckily my insurance covers 80% of this

1
megsaid•

Thanks

1
bentl3y•

I would personally not go the antidepressant route, it's kind of scary that they're suggesting that however I've been on the evra patch for 3-4ish years I think and it doesn't reduce my sweating. There is glycopyrrolate that helps a lot of people, it's available in names like Robinul, Avert, Ditropan. I'm using Avert and it's great, there are some side effects like dry nose, dry throat/mouth, dry eyes but those are fairly easy to deal with compared to sweating consistently! Good luck!

2
gore_whore_•

I'm on both birth control and anti-depressants. They don't reduce sweating for me. Plus the anti-depressant I'm on right now actually made my hyperhidrosis so much worse. Plus anti-depressants are intense and scary to get on, and are horrible if a dose is missed

1
embarrassednurse•

Hi! I have PCOS and generally hormones make me sweat more. I also took Lexapro for a bit for hyperhidrosis, but it did not help me with that. I think it would help to ask for a prescription for an anticholinergic like glycopyrrolate because those are known to dry you up. With birth control or an antidepressant, you'd have to be on it for a while to see results and it might not work. Sometimes sweating can be hormonal, but if your labs are fine, I don't think birth control would help the sweating.

1