Hi there,
This is a problem that has driven me to my wits end. I believe I first
noticed symptoms in my late teens. When I would walk into a high street
shop for example, I would break out in a sweat, particularly on the
head area. I originally put this down to nervousness and thought that
as I matured, the problem would go away. The problem only seemed
related to public areas.
Many years later, I believe that the problem is now worse, and has
reached a stage where it's having a large negative impact on my life. I
can now walk even very little distances, even in cold weather, and as
soon as I stop, I break out in sweats. Again, the forehead/head area is
worst affected - but my back, chest area and underarms are also
particularly problematic.
I would have no problems in putting it down to a lack of great fitness
- I am a computer programmer by trade, and so have spent more time than
most sitting down. But, I have looked in wonder at greatly obese
people, often in much heavier clothing than myself, experiencing no
visible discomfort in a situation where I feel I am melting.
I've noticed the problem is much worse in the morning, particularly on
my journey into work - first when getting on the train, then when
entering the office. It also affects my social life, as I can not walk
into a pub or restaurant without having to wait an hour or so before I
am comfortable enough to enjoy myself.
I have recently been to the doctor about this, and had blood (fasting),
diabetes (I find that often when I feel uneasy, I have a great desire
for food, particularly the sugary variety) and thyroid checks which all
came back clear. The doctor did blood pressure and listened to my heart
but showed no alarm. The advise to me then was to simply lose weight -
which I believe I have through an improved diet (I am vegetarian, and
have been for around 14 years. My diet was quite bad a couple of years
ago (takeaway food and lots of high carbohydrate foods like
pasta/potatoes etc), but I have since improved on that by consuming
more salad, fruit, vegetables and cutting right down on the takeaways
and pasta). I do not believe I am hugely overweight, I am quite tall
and heavy, but I have quite a big natural build. I have previously
spent a couple of months using a rowing machine for around an hour a
day, and even though this helped me loose weight and feel better about
myself - my symptoms did not ease.
The strange thing is, that on some days - even ones hotter than days
where I've had a particularly uneasy time - I find that the symptoms
are hardly there at all.
As for other symptoms related or not. I often see white patches on the
back of my hands, particulary in the morning. Also, I can feel like I
have a dry mouth and feel generally dehydrated, although I have
increased my water consumption without too much relief. I feel
extremely uneasy when I am suffering and am stuck on a train and cannot
get out to feel the fresh air. I could so easy feel that this is all
caused by some sort of pyschological condition, but I can quite easily
have all my symptoms when all I am doing is walking around my house.
I seem to have contracted hayfever over the last few years (I blame
that on moving to London 8 years ago), and am often finding myself in
sneezing fits during the summer months. Also, I have had problems since
childhood with my ears getting blocked with soft or hard wax - and
recently I have noticed that often my earlobes or outer ear can become
very dry, with what I would describe as eczema.
It is also worth pointing out that I had 6 years in quite a stressful
job, that increased in intensity until I left a few months ago. I am
currently looking for new work, but I find that my interviews are
immediately hindered by the problems I have described here. I do not
believe the problems are stress related, (although stress seems to make
my sweating more profuse) as I believe I had symptoms well before I
started in this stressful job.
Is there anyone out there who can advise!
