Lauren’s Story: MiraDry worked for her Hyperhidrosis!

Note: Below is the story generously shared by Lauren regarding her Hyperhidrosis condition and the treatment she took. Her contact details were very helpfully shared with us by MiraDry. We believe that the below-mentioned story is accurate, and is not influenced by MiraDry in any way. However, in interest of full disclosure, we would like the readers to know the origin of this post and to interpret this accordingly.

A BIG “Thank You!” to Lauren for coming forward to sharing this with us!

Note: Lauren also shared her experience at RealSelf (http://www.realself.com/review/fort-myers-fl-severe-hyperhidrosis-patient-loved-miradry-wonderful-product). You may want to check that out as well. That was posted in 2012, so might be a bit dated.

Lauren's Story

BACKGROUND

My name is Lauren Tretolo. I am 21 years old and just recently graduated nursing school and am preparing to take my boards this month. I am also a nanny and have 5 years background working in a daycare with children 6 weeks old to one year. I live in Lakewood Ranch, Florida with my parents and my yellow lab, Bella! 🙂

HYPERHIDROSIS: FIRST INDICATIONS

I noticed my hyperhidrosis when I was about 12 years old. I will never forget that it was after a school dance that I had a pink tank top on and my sweat marks went all the way to the end of my shirt near my waist. I was mortified. From 12 years old to 19 years old, all the professionals I saw said my increased perspiration was due to puberty, but I knew it was a problem deep down because 19 was a little old to be hearing the “puberty” excuse, especially when I was dripping sweat while sitting in an air conditioned room.

HYPERHIDROSIS IMPACT ON MY LIFE

It impacted my life every second of every day up until I found miraDry. I was judged as being gross and disgusting in school because of the visible sweat stains. I wore only black — and sweatshirt hoodies thru school (keep in mind I live in FL) but those were the only things to mask the stains and wetness. Prom was another issue, I needed to find a dress that didn't come anywhere close to my armpits to prevent the sweating stains. I would always carry an extra shirt around to alway be prepared in case my sweating got out of hand. I was starting nursing school in July 2012 and knew they wore blue scrubs but I was petrified about sweating through the fabric and was trying to find a school based on their scrub color. So yes, it impacted me in every way possible.

TREATMENTS I TRIED

I feel as if I had tried everything in regards to treating my issue. It started with the OTC deodorants such as certain dri, and all of the “clinical strength” brands that claimed to work wonders. Well, they didn't for me. Then my dermatologist at the time prescribed me a prescription topical (I can't remember the name of it, I can double check for you) but that didn't work either and honestly made my underarms feel worse. Our next idea was oral medication or Botox injections. My doctor wouldn't clear the Botox as medically necessary so my insurance company would not cover it at all,  and I was not completely thrilled about the lack if permanence. Then I found miraDry and had my first procedure May 2012!

MIRADRY EXPERIENCE

I drove about 2 1/2 hours to a doctor in Fort Myers, FL and had the procedure done there. I roughly spent $3,000. I am sure you are familiar with the procedure, but I basically had 50-60 lidocaine injections and then the miraDry device. My first visit was a level 2, and my second a level 3.  The swelling was normal and the most important thing to me was icing my underarms to help with the swelling.

MY RESULTS

With my 2 year “anniversary” of having miraDry is approaching, I couldn't be happier with my results. I have slowly added color into my wardrobe, and thankfully only sweat when normal people sweat like when I am at the gym or it is very hot outside, but I do not usually perspire through my shirt. I would love to have a third treatment just to really nip it in the butt, but I haven't gotten around to it nor do I know if my doctor supports a third treatment.

MY TIPS FOR MIRADRY

My tips are: ice, ice, ice, and more ice. That really helps with the swelling and the awkward feeling. And secondly- if someone has suffered as long as I have they need to know this isn't a quick fix. Sure, it fixes the sweating, but there is a huge psychological aspect that patients need to keep in mind. It took me about a year to realize that I could buy different color shirts and wear them without the fear of sweating, and I needed a lot of time before I wasn't always checking my arm pits in the mirror or constantly feeling to see if I was wet. I still wouldn't say that I am “cured” to this day because I am still self conscious about the potential sweating! So, although miraDry was my “cure” to the sweating, it did take time for my brain to get up to speed with my body and realize that it was going to be okay and to relax.

Any questions for Lauren? Please send them to [email protected] and I will try my best to get them answered from her (no promises though).

Also Read:

miraDry: Solution for Underarm Sweating About My miraDry Procedure Sandra’s Story: Hyperhidrosis & Miradry