Hi, sorry only just replying.
As bad as this probably sounds, I've no idea what levels (e.g T-2) were cut.
![Embarassed :oops:](./images/smilies/icon_redface.gif)
All I know was that I had the following:
1999: ETS for excessive palm sweating (incisions made under the armpits)
2000: The exact same operation re-done (after only having partial success in terms of palm dryness)
2001: Lumbar sympathectomy for excessive foot sweating (two large incisions made across my stomach)
My side-effects began in early 2002, and are the following:
- Severe compensatory sweating on my back, stomach, sides, chest and legs. The level of sweating has increased since it started (I remember having compensatory sweating on my legs after ETS, but 9-12 months after Lumbar Sympathectomy it spread to other named areas). The compensatory sweating has had a huge negative impact on my life. Can often only walk for 5 minutes before am sweating profusely all-over.
- Heat intolerance, and my whole body constantly feels overheated, including my face, which leaves me always looking and feeling flushed.
- Loss of *** function (very difficult gaining an erection (and also maintaining an erection), shrinkage / shrivel effect of ***)
- Lack of emotional feeling (for example unable to cry since the operations, even at funerals)
- Tiredness and severe loss of energy
- Weight gain (linked to loss of energy and inability to cope with heat), although thankfully I've managed to lose 1.5 stones in recent times through jogging and tai chi.
- Frequently feel dehydrated, no matter how much water I drink
- Headaches
- Often feel faint because of heat intolerance, even in mild-cool weather
- Dizziness
- The compensatory sweating makes everyday life extremely embarrassing/difficult. This has led to depression and very low self-esteem, morale and confidence (far worse than pre-surgery)
- I now sweat very little (much less than a ‘normal’ amount) from underarms, face, scalp, forehead and neck. Forehead gets very dry and itchy. Hands and feet are also extremely dry, even after a 60 minute treadmill workout.
Sorry for a bit of a long post, but at this point it feels worth being completely open and honest about the operations. Like so many other people, I feel I was only given 5%-10% of the information that I really needed before having them done. In hindsight I would have had iontophoresis, but I never knew of it's existence until all of the operations had been done unfortunately.
Anyway, thanks again.
JR31