Month: June 2012

Coping with Hyperhidrosis

/ carynjoan / 1 Comment

I’ve written at length about my experiences with HH, but I haven’t really discussed my coping mechanisms.

There are many times when coping is impossible, but here are some ways I’ve found that help.

1. Keep a towel in your purse if you can to discretely wipe your hands

2. Wear jeans! Best material I’ve found for sweat.

3. Breathe through it, meditate

4. Keep your hands to yourself- hands on hips or in pockets when talking to people. Or try holding on to something. I hate to admit it, but sometimes I will intentionally hold on to too many things (ie. flute, piccolo, sheet music, instrument stand) so that I won’t have to actually shake anyone’s hand.

5. Keep a fan nearby! I have one at my desk at work and at home.

6. Keep a small, sturdier piece of paper with you- like a postcard or brochure. I love the thickness of this paper. It works best for me to fan my hands with it because it won’t get ruined right away from sweat. Re-usable!

7. Tell your friends. I know it’s scary, but believe me, it helps so much!

8. Learn to laugh about it. Even if your laugh starts out to be sarcastic or insane because you can’t believe that you have to deal with this kind of stuff every day. It is pretty ridiculous, right?

9. Closed toe shoes are the safest…

10. Be proud, persistent, and strong. Don’t let HH control you. You and I struggle through daily life, but we are still here! Be strong in every challenge you face, and happy knowing that you and I will get through it together.  Keep your head up, look people in the eyes, and smile.

Hope this is helping someone,

Caryn Joan

 

Every day is an adventure

/ carynjoan / Leave a comment

Just getting to work is a challenge.

Today I missed the bus. Well, I really didn’t miss it. It just happened to be “out of service”.

In order to get to work on time, I needed to take the dreaded subway.

I’m walking the 8 minute walk in the heat. Noticing that I keep my hands close to my body because I don’t know where to put them. I definitely don’t want my hands to accidentally brush up against some passerby. That would be unpleasant and probably confusing/frightening.

I’m at the subway, and I see that a downtown train comes in 1 minute. I miss the train by 5 seconds.

At this point, I’m about to cry.

I’m on the hot platform and see that the next train doesn’t come for 7 minutes!!

“Just breathe, just breathe, just breathe,” is all I’m thinking.

My hands are melting and dripping, my feet are sloshing in my shoes, sweat is running off every part of my body.

Just breathe.

I decide to “mop up” and take my towel out of my bag for my hands.

Train arrives. Wow, air conditioning! Wonderful.

I take a seat and then realize the sweat is probably making it’s way through my dress by now. I can’t care anymore. I just need to breathe and sit still.

I get off the train and slowly walk to work. I take my time just so I can try to calm down and cool off.

So much  adventure and it’s only 10am!

How is your commute?

Thanks for reading,

Caryn Joan

Have I avoided this enough yet?…Part 2

/ carynjoan / Leave a comment

Okay…no more avoiding.

In September 2011, I went to the Columbia University Medical Center’s Center  for Hyperhidrosis in NYC for a consultation for the ETS surgery. This was the day of that crazy water main break in the subway systems…remember that? How appropriate.

I went with my mom. When we arrived, I was asked to fill out some paperwork. It started fine, but a few minutes in, my hands started sweating uncontrollably and I had to have my mom finish the paperwork for me. Glad she was there.

We sat in the waiting room, and I felt like no one around me had HH. It was the waiting room for Thoracic surgery. I quickly noticed all of the old men and woman I was waiting with. They couldn’t breathe very well.

It makes sense. ETS does have the word “Thoracic” in it, since the procedure includes going through the chest. But why do I still feel out of place? I guess I just wish the Center for HH really felt like a Center for HH.

The consultation was pretty good, but I didn’t get the best vibe from it. The surgeon assured me that deflating the lungs was the least of my worries.

Never the less, I started tying loose ends with my insurance company and penciled in the surgery for December 29, 2011.

I still have HH, so I obviously didn’t go through with the surgery.

Why you ask?

Well, I’m realizing that this entry will be a multiple post entry. There’s a lot to say, and this is why I’ve been avoiding it I think. It’s very sensitive.

Stay tuned for Part 3.

Thanks again,

Caryn Joan

I can’t pet my cat.

/ carynjoan / Leave a comment

Ever tried petting a furry animal with sweaty hands? Not the best experience in the world.

When my hands are really bad, I won’t pet my cat because I will end up with cat fur all over me.

I feel bad, but I think she understands and still loves me 🙂

Meet Grace, 3 year old calico rescue from Upstate New York.