New here...Looking for advice....

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2005
New here...Looking for advice....
7
Mon, 10-03-2005 - 6:57pm
Hi, I'm A 26yr old single female who suffers from severe SAD since the age of 12. I work in law enforcement so that is extremely difficult for me as you can imagine. I experience extreme sweating, shaking, rapid heartbeat, and nausea. The sweating is the worst thing for me. It's so bad that I don't want to work anymore, go on dates or anything, all because I fear I'll sweat to death and people will say "what's wrong with you, why are you sweating soooo much?"(and they have). I find myself drinking a lot of alcohol just to cope. Which messes me up even more the next day. I'm just fed up. I tried hypnosis, meditating, chanting, herbs, meds etc.... I don't know what else to do. I think that I'm not sticking with any of those things long enough because I don't see FAST results. My family says "we all sweat in nervous situations" but mine isn't just being NERVOUS. I am actually ready to die when it happens to me. I know its irrational but just knowing that ain't helping. I know I'm a beautiful woman, I'm young, single, starting nursing school and I already have a good job. But its still not enough to make me snap out of this problem thats causing a horrible impact on my life. I'm traveling to Rome in November and am almost afraid to go because I think I'm gonna embarrass myself(sweating all over). I know there is still help out there for me just having a hard time finding it. Any advice?
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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-13-2003
Mon, 10-03-2005 - 7:38pm

Hello amazeon,

Welcome to the board, I am a newbie here myself and have found great support here. I don't have much advice but I have many of the same symptoms that you are dealing with, and yes sweating is not pleasant. I often get the chills alternating with sweating. I am also in school for Nursing. This is my final and most stressful year.

Have you spoke to your doctor about what you are going through? It might help, my doctor is supportive and has offered me medication to alleviate symptoms. I haven't had the best of luck with meds, but many people benefit from them.

Keep posting and I hope you feel better soon,

Lisa

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Mon, 10-03-2005 - 8:06pm

Hello & welcome to our caring community. We're glad to have you here. You are NOT alone. Others have been through what you have experienced. Living with anxiety is possible. It takes some work & you need to be motivated to do that work. Here are some good articles that will assure you & give you ideas on what treatment is out there. http://health.ivillage.com/mentalhealth/mhanxiety/topics/0,,4vcj-n2,00.html


Although you have been living with this for some time, you are impatient for instant relief. I have had the same problem. In the past I have taken meds for panic attacks & agoraphobia that kept me housebound. I wasn't able to drive for 3 long years. I thought the meds should make me better overnight. This is a trait we seem to share. Unfortunately, it takes 4 to 6 weeks to get antidepressants(used for anxiety, too) to work. You may be correct that you haven't stuck with a treatment long enough for it to work. Have you considered meds or therapy? I am thinking that there maybe other methods to reduce the sweating. I have heard of a product called Drysol. Maybe your family doctor can give you help with a prescription if one is needed. It never hurts to get a good physical to rule out other causes of your distress.


I want to stress that you have a limitless future ahead of you. Please take some steps to enjoy that trip to Italy. It breaks my heart that you say how much you've limited your life. The drinking is a very real problem. It can lead to illness, dependence & severe depression. Honestly, gf, you DON'T want to go there. Post anytime with questions or concerns. Join us in chat. Others are willing to share what has worked for them & give you support. We care. Please keep in touch. Good luck & GBU! jan


 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 05-12-2003
Mon, 10-03-2005 - 10:26pm

first of all sweating is nothing to be emberassed about, it happens to everyone. You notice it more about yourself, but if you paid closer attention to other's around you you would notice that they sweat just as much as you do. that said,

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Tue, 10-04-2005 - 1:59am
WELCOME!! I SWEAT LIKE MAD I HATE IT ALSO!!
First the meds you have to give them time!!
Ar least a month to a month and a half for anti
depressants anxiety meds work quicker actually right
away--- but here too you have to take them in order
to find relief!!
I hope that you have talked with your doctor about
this? Some physical illnesses mimic panic attacks!
You need to see your doctor and get some meds and
get on with your life! They will help you trust me!!
I never thought I would be OK but within 4 weeks I
was so much better I cried ---
I have hot flashes on top of anxiety and live in
Florida so I can tell you the sweat has been pouring
off me for months now!! I am still very much alive!
Miserable- just kidding- but alive!!
We have a chat on Tuesday nights so come on and
join us!! Take care and call the Doc! Judy
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-17-2001
Tue, 10-04-2005 - 8:15am

I KWYM.. when my anxiety 1st started I would wake up drenched in sweat every night and during the day I was cold one second and hot the next.. it was awful. Even now

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2005
Fri, 10-07-2005 - 11:33am
Thank you soooo much guys. The advice you guys gave me was very helpful. I do believe I need to swtich doctors because the one that I had just gave me meds and really didn't take the time out to know what was going on. The side effects from the last drug kinda made me not want to take them again (effexor), but ill keep trying new ones. I just got the herbal med Seredyn in the mail today. So I'm gonna give that a try. I'm gonna go to work today with a better attitude thanks to all of you. LOVE AMAZEON
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-02-2003
Fri, 10-07-2005 - 11:57am
Hello and welcome to our community. I am just going to tackle the sweating issue. We have a son who is 33 and he does not have any anxiety problems but he has sweat like crazy in the past. He would carry only light colored tee shirts in the back of his car to change into daily, only certain colors. He would be so embarassed. So he went to his Family Dr. and he gave him a prescription roll on that