As we
do not condone ETS or ESB (clamping) at all, we offer suggestions to
treat conditions such as blushing/flushing/sweating as well as
suggestions to help the side-effects of ETS and ESB. Hopefully as many
people as possible can send in information about remedies they have
tried; this can be anything from medication to an alternative treatment
such as Acupuncture.
WARNING: LEXAPRO, AN ANTIDEPRESSANT, HAS BEEN DISCOVERED TO HAVE
ADVERSE SIDE-EFFECTS SUCH AS PANIC ATTACKS, SPACINESS & SLEEPLINESS.
PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION. PLEASE GO TO: PANIC DISORDER SITE
WARNING: THESE MEDICATIONS
LISTED BELOW SHOULD BE TAKEN UNDER STRICT GUIDANCE BY A DOCTOR OR A
HEALTH PROFESSIONAL. MEDICATIONS, INCLUDING HOMEOPATHIC, CAN BE HARMFUL
IF TAKEN IN LARGE DOSES OR IN COMBINATION WITH OTHER MEDICATIONS.
COMPENSATORY SWEATING Make Talika hand therapy gloves - intensive moisturizing gloves, more
information from www.talika.com Iontophoresis - For palmar and
plantar excessive sweating the treatment of choice in most countries is
tap water iontophoresis. It is defined as the electrical introduction of
various ions through the skin. Patients are required to bath their hands
at least three times a week in stainless steel pans that are connected
to the iontophoresis device. Although the exact mechanism of action is
not known, previous clinical studies have suggested that this treatment
may be effective. However, long term treatment is necessary to maintain
an effect (Dahl 1989 Oral treatments such as Salvia, a herb given in the form of tea or
tablets, and anticholinergic drugs such as bornaprine, have been
recommended (Castells 1987 Neurontin - well worth a try as it has certainly reduced one ETS
patient's CS and a little bit of nerve pain which was a major sticking
point. Currently he is on 900mg a day, but he can increase his intake to
2400mg a day. Apparently the CS has decreased about 15% and nerve pain
about 10%. Neorontin is targeted at reducing neurotic pain , and
reducing CS may just be a useful by-product. Vitamins B6 and C has
helped his CS a little bit, but Neurontin so far has been very good. He
does not feel dehydrated, but he drinks a fair bit of water. Neurontin's
main benefit has been a reduction of extreme burning nerve pains.
Neurontin is a prescripiton drug but very expensive. Botulinum
toxin A - a drug that has been recently used to treat excessive
sweating. It is a bacterial toxin which paralyses muscles and is given
by injection into the deeper part of the skin where the sweat glands sit
and hence interferes with their action (Fackel 1999 Pro-banthine (Propantheline in the U.S) - medication for sweating.
According to one ETS patient, "pro-banthine completely dries one out (I
think they're called anti-coinergins/anti-spasmodics), and sometimes
they are so effective that they'll even dry out your eye balls (which is
painful but more importantly interferes with vision)". Robinol - a
newer derivative of pro-banthine and is supposed to be superior in that
it is claimed to avoid any psychological side-effects of the
pro-banthine. But, according to the patient this is nonsense and the
Robinol is truly awful and can completely change your personality. So
he's sticking with the pro-banthine. Scopoderm (scopolamin) - more
information can be found at http://www.factmonster.com/ce6/sci/A0844088.html"
Ditropan - a product that is meant to relieve forms of diffulty in passing urine caused by muscle spasm. The side effect is decreasing sweating. However, there is a list of serious consequenses if overdosed including irrational behaviour, flushing, coma and death.
Aluminum chloride products like Drysol, but be careful not to overuse it as you may get a rash. Certain-Dri has a lower concentration, and is available without a prescription. You could also try Secure wipes, which are less irritating. There is also a solution of aluminum chloride in salicylic acid gel, which is supposedly more effective and less irritating.
Iontopherisis - Used to treat sweating on the hands and underarm.
Driclor - a very strong antiperspirant that should be applied in the evening and left on overnight.
Bio-feedback - a natural method of controlling sweating. According to one Mother who's daughter has this therapy, "She has it twice a week...it's a long process, but she can start or stop the hand sweating in the dr's office...she needs time to learn to transfer that...and her thoughts of course away from the problem which intensifies her condition".
LOW LIBIDO
Ambrotose - a glyconutrient that is meant to help cells communicate because of the sugar's (carbohydrates) they contain (not ordinary sugars you would get in bread and sweets). It helps with energy so it may help with libido.
NERVE GROWTH
Ginseng with ginkgo biloba helps the symathetic nerves. My son has started take it as it was published in the 'YOU' mag, and recommed by a doctor.
Calcium and lipoic acid as potential substances to boost nerve growth.
Vitamin B complex, including a hefty B6 (Niacin's hot flushes can be avoided by choosing one with niacinimdie). B vitamins work together best when taken in one complex.
Methylcobalamin - a quickly absorbed form of B12 that protects nerve sheaths, but this is expensive.
Evening primrose oil (contains gamma lipoic acid) - complements Alpha lipoic acid, an antioccident.
Hypericum - stimulates nerve endings and must be taken homeopathically under supervision. Arnica may also be used under Homeopathic supervision, as can Gingko to overcome nerve damage problem and stimulate circulation.
Acupuncture - It is
believed you may be able to re-generate the most important T2 and T3
nerves. The treatment undertaken includes acupuncture treatment of the
local area with electrostimulation. The points used in this case were
Hua Tou Jia Ji points at T2,T3, and T4.
Points can be used to
resolve stagnation and to nourish the kidney and spleen to stimulate new
nerve tissue growth. These included Liv3, Sp10, GB41, SJ5, Kid3, Kid9,
UB18,20,23, and Du20. Also ear sympathetic, shen men, liver, kidney,
endocrine.
Treatments are normally once per week for six months with
subsequent follow up treatments, or even three times per week over a
shorter duration.
The patient can also be prescribed customized
herbal formulas which focused on these same areas. Modifications of Xiao
Chai Hu Tang and Liu Wei Di Hunag Tang are used.
A qualified
acupuncturist should be used.http://www.taoofwellness.com/doctors.htm
FATIGUE
Movafinil (100mg)- an expensive medication (around $120 for 30 tablets) for fatigue which is usually administered to people suffering from Multilple Schlerosis. Usually prescribed by a Neurologist. Dr Aggarwal in Balmain & Hornsby in Sydney diagnosed Meg with a sleep disorder connected with ETS and prescribed it.
Rivotril - a very small dosage has been given to Meg by her specialist - a consultant in Neurology and neurophysiology. Basically the medication is for epilespy but has a side effect of sleepiness and is being trialed on her. It is the first drug Meg has been on which has given her sound sleep for a full eight hours. He has diagnosed a REM disorder in her. She now wakes up feeling refreshed and she is mentally alot more alert. If you need to make an appointment to see him in Sydney, his number is (02) 9810 6633.
Anti-Oxidant Co-Enzyme Q10 - This is meant to help the heart and energy. I have tried it and it seems to work. It's available from a health food store or Coles Supermarket in Australia.
Naturopathy - Currently Meg is trialing this. There will be an update in the next month about the improvements. She has had to change her diet - no caffeine, no saccerine {low sugar} drinks. She is also taking zink, magnesium, liver cleansing tables and Adrenoplex. The latter has particularly given her a boost. This can be expensive $100 Aus for an hour and half treatment plus herbs and supplements on top of that $100 Aus, but she doesn't have to see the naturopath too frequently - only twice times in the last six months.
Ambrotose - a glyconutrient that is meant to help cells communicate because of the sugar's they contain (not ordinary sugars you would get in bread and sweets).
Vitamin B complex, including a hefty B6 (Niacin's hot flushes can be avoided by choosing one with niacinimdie). B vitamins work together best when taken in one complex.
Acupuncture - this was so effective for Meg that she is currently working on providing a list of the best in major capital cities. There are only two in Sydney who could be recommended by a Doctor (who is a naturapath) and a well known radio presenter on Sydney radio. Anybody who is interested in the two specialists in Sydney can contact Meg via email.
Chinese Herbs - these have been tried by Meg as well to balance the system to combat fatigue and have worked very well.
Enada NADH may alleviate symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and is natural. Please visit:www.enada.com
FLUSHING
B.Kamins Bio Maple Booster Blue Rosacea treatment - It is a cream/lotion that you can apply to your face to cosmetically conceal, or at the very least reduce considerably, redness and flushing. It is considered to be a treatment for rosacea sufferers in order to reduce a red face, but it does the trick of hiding redness for Facial flushers equally well. It's not in the category of make-up. It sinks into your skin, and does not irritate your skin at all, no-one will be able to tell you're wearing any, and it makes you look quite pale. You apply as much as as your flushing requires, but if you put too much on and you'll end up looking ghostly. A little goes a long way, which is a good thing, because it is expensive. If you live in England you can purchase it in the Space NK department of Harvey Nicholls, London. This does not treat blushing, which can come on at the drop of a hat and disappear quite soon thereafter, and is quite different from flushing, a longer-term facial redness.
Rosacure - Intensive with Synchrosomes technology is a light textured face cream specifically developed for facial redness. It combats redness by helping to diminish the visibility of the small dilated blood vessels. It is suitable for highly sensitive skin and has excellent rehydrating action. RRP $44.95 Aus. Available from leading Pharmacies including My Chemist, Terry White, Blooms, Malouf's Pharmacy, Australian Unity, Pharmore, Chem Plus, Pharmacy 777, Pharmacy Direct and ePharmacy. New Zealand readers call Pharamacy Direct on 0800 PHARMACY or for local stockist call 0800 118 311. For more information in Australia call (02) 8875 7862 or visit www.rosacure.com.au
Photoderm Treatment - this is used for Rosacea
and Facial Flushing. You may need to have about 5 treatments with an
experienced user of a Photoderm Machine. According to Timbo, the best
person to contact for Photoderm Treatment:
Dr Sarojini
Nair
Ashbrooke Vein & Cosmetic Centre
1st Floor, 573 Crown
St
Surry Hills
NSW 2010
Ph: 9310 4100
Mb: 0412 344 060
Botox - might be the answer to cure facial flushing. Cutaneous
injections of Botox are put in to the skin of my cheeks and this has
effectively cured some patient's facial flushing. This does not paralyse
the muscles of the face like Botox injected into the facial muscles for
wrinkles. Flushing can still occur due to heat but to a lesser extent as
it seems to stop the flow on psychological effect of flushing. According
to Timbo the best person to contact in Sydney regarding Botox Treatment
is:
Dr Andrew Roberts
Crown Medical Centre
426 Crown
St,
Surry Hills
Sydney
NSW 2010
Ph: 9357 7333
Fax: 9357
7311
Email: info@cosmeticmedical.com.au
Web:
www.comsmeticmedial.com.au
Clonidine - for facial flushing. A G.P has said: "Clonidine is old - I know it for treatment of high blood pressure, but actually it's very rarely used. So I've looked up the small MIMS : it's also used for preventing migraine + menopausal flushes. Side effects seem to be slowing of the heart, depression, drowsiness and dry mouth. Actually I know of a child with ADHD on Ritalin with sleep problems from the Ritalin(an amphetamine) who takes Clonidine to help get off to sleep". According to Timbo, who takes 3 tables for a presentation, you may get very tired on these.
DRY SKIN
Dermalogica skin treatment - For Normal to dry skin (contains no oils), a highly concentrated moisturising cream for the prevention and treatment of dry skin. It's good because it will not block pores, but will still rehydrate our very dry skin.
INSOMNIA
The first step is no stimulants (such as caffeine in tea, coffee, coca cola) after 4pm. Instead drink water all day to increase blood volume.
Rivotril - Meg was given this by her Neurologist - Dr Aggarwal (Balmain, Sydney) - who diagnosed a REM disorder. She has slept a full night's sleep since she was given the epilepsy medication 12 months ago. This was a trial being performed by the Doctor, who thought Meg could benefit from it as she was extremely angry about the lack of sleep. It must be noted that the REM disorder happened straight after she had ETS surgery and she still is mentally tired during the day, even though she sleeps solidly the night before.
Ambrotose & Plus (releases oestrogen hormones) for information about this product: (www.mannatech.com) & exercise before you got to sleep. Make sure you go for a good walk before you go to sleep.
ANXIETY
Try beta-blockers, such as Propranolol, which are used for social phobia. These have almost the same effect as a sympathectomy. They reduce blood pressure, calm you down, reduce tachachardia in stressful situations, and reduce facial flushing.
Cognitive behavioural therapy - based on desensitising the patient by gradually getting them used to their fear.
Try a mediation like Buspar, otherwise known as Buspirone, which is an anti-anxiety medication that works by stimulating serotonin type 1A receptors on nerves thereby altering the chemical messages which nerves transmit to each other. Unlike the most commonly prescribed antianxiety medications of the benzodiazepine class (e.g., diazepam, lorazepam, alprazolam; clonazepam), buspirone does not cause sedation or addiction. Buspirone is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders or for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety. Buspirone is especially effective in persons with generalized anxiety of a limited or moderate degree. It is not very effective in persons with severe anxiety, panic disorders, or obsessive-compulsive disorders.
Yoga and Meditation are wonderful for calming your mind and breathing.