My ETS and Lumbar Sympathectomy - Pro's and Con's
Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2006 3:05 pm
Hi
Just wanted to post my views re ETS.
I am 23 years old, and had this operation done in 1999 (aged 15) and 2000 (aged 17) for palm Hyperhidrosis, then had Lumbar Sympathectomy in 2001 (aged 18) for foot Hyperhidrosis.
7 years on from the first operation, I would say that the two ETS surgeries have improved my palmer HH by around 60% (the reason I had it done twice was because my hands were still really bad after the first ETS, so I decided to have it re-done). The Lumbar Sympathectomy improved my foot HH by around 60% too.
However, for the last four years I have suffered extremely severe compensatory sweating (CS), which I now have on my back, stomach, chest, legs and buttocks, whilst still sweating a bit on my hands and feet. I have tried all kinds of treatment for this, including acupuncture, herbs, homeopathy, prescription drugs, prescription-strength anti-prespirants etc, but yet still suffer with this.
My point here is that for anyone considering ETS, please, please be 100% sure in your decision, and be aware of the fact that the operations are not always a miracle cure. For some people (like myself) the side-effects can be just as bad as the original symptoms, so you really have got to be careful.
Anyway, just thought I'd post this in the hope that it will provide a little information and advice for someone. I struggle big-style with CS, but just about cope by using a good anti-perspirant and wearing t-shirts under normal shirts, in order to soak up any CS.
Hope this is of some use, and if anyone has any questions or needs any advice or information at all, pelase don't hesitate to contact me. Thanks.
Iain (IJR)
Just wanted to post my views re ETS.
I am 23 years old, and had this operation done in 1999 (aged 15) and 2000 (aged 17) for palm Hyperhidrosis, then had Lumbar Sympathectomy in 2001 (aged 18) for foot Hyperhidrosis.
7 years on from the first operation, I would say that the two ETS surgeries have improved my palmer HH by around 60% (the reason I had it done twice was because my hands were still really bad after the first ETS, so I decided to have it re-done). The Lumbar Sympathectomy improved my foot HH by around 60% too.
However, for the last four years I have suffered extremely severe compensatory sweating (CS), which I now have on my back, stomach, chest, legs and buttocks, whilst still sweating a bit on my hands and feet. I have tried all kinds of treatment for this, including acupuncture, herbs, homeopathy, prescription drugs, prescription-strength anti-prespirants etc, but yet still suffer with this.
My point here is that for anyone considering ETS, please, please be 100% sure in your decision, and be aware of the fact that the operations are not always a miracle cure. For some people (like myself) the side-effects can be just as bad as the original symptoms, so you really have got to be careful.
Anyway, just thought I'd post this in the hope that it will provide a little information and advice for someone. I struggle big-style with CS, but just about cope by using a good anti-perspirant and wearing t-shirts under normal shirts, in order to soak up any CS.
Hope this is of some use, and if anyone has any questions or needs any advice or information at all, pelase don't hesitate to contact me. Thanks.
Iain (IJR)