My ETS Story
From Corposcindosis
By mojomillions
My name is Joey and I am from Canada. First off, I am very happy to see a forum like this, it helps to here others describe situations that I felt were unique only to me from living initially with hyperhydrosis to then dealing with horrible CS after ETS.
I had ETS in 2002, I flew to the US to have it done as the surgery was not offered in Western Canada. It was very expensive but I thought finally be an end to hyperhydrosis. I read alot about ETS and knew there was a chance of CS but everything I read said it was rare, and that it was easier to deal with than hyperhydrosis. Ofcourse this turned out not to be the case, immediately after my surgery I began to sweat like crazy from my back, chest and lower body. My feet sweat 100% of the time even if the rest of me feels cool. I can not do any form of exercise without easily sweating through my shirt(s) within minutes. Anxiety also triggers my CS and I notice it at work (office work) and in social situations. If you combine heat with a nervous situation (ex. meeting at work in a hot office or an outdoor wedding) there is almost never good results. In such situations I have sweat through my dress shirt and if sitting down can sweat through my pants. It is very embarrasing and I try to cover it up at all cost (wearing a suit jacket to cover when I sweat through even though this makes it hotter, at least no one can see). In the summer, I cant even drive in my car (no AC) without sweating through my shirt and onto the seat within probobly 10 minutes of driving.
These are just a few examples of how ETS has changed my life for the worse. Many of your stories already explain my story quite well.
It has been 4 years since my surgery and my CS is basically the same, but I have learned to cope with it better over this time. I am still very self concious about my CS and try to hide from others.
I do realize that although my CS is horrible and is effects every day of my life in a negative way, that there are worse afflictions out there and am thankful that I am otherwise healthy. I do wish to for relief to my horrible CS, (as I type right now my feet our sopping wet), my goal is to continue to learn how to cope with CS and hopefully not let CS affect my life and stop my from reaching the goals I set for myself in my personal life and career.
Thanks for listening, and thanks for this great forum. I wish I found this before my ETS surgery.
