I have extreme anhidrosis (my body does not sweat) Ask me anything!

Do you ever smell bad?

No not really no body odor. You just found a plus side...thanks :)

I imagine you might shower to cool down but how long can go between showers, or how long do you go if it's not too personal?

I shower as soon as I wake up everyday because it cools me down. Plus I need to do my hair :)

Ah, does your hair still get oily?

Yes! Super annoying

No sticky balls, bam! another plus side!

Or sticky boobs I guess!

I'll ask the obvious. How do you cool down? Panting?

How the hell did you know?? No really I have to carry a handheld fan/water sprayer thing with me. I also avoid warm places. I use alot of ice packs too.

may I recommend a cooling vest?

I've looked into these things! Thanks!

Want to have some of my sweating ability? I have hyperhidrosis.

Yes!! I'm sure that sucks but at least you can't die from it!

If you have any interest in light sci fi reading you should pick up a copy of The Windup Girl. The titular character also does not sweat, although this is due to genetically engineered pore shrinking.

I actually read all the time so I'll look into this. Thanks buddy!

What happens when you sex?

It's not the good hot and sweaty kind...oh the glory days

You just need a walk-in freezer for active sessions.

I do lol that would help a lot actually

Does your vagina sweat, if you know what I mean?

This made me literally lol...

I assume it's just the sweat glands that do not produce? Lubrication is not a problem?

Just sweat glands! I honestly did not think about that but I've never been asked if that is a problem....my doctors seem to really know what they are doing lol.

So, does this mean this condition has not been a problem since birth? When did it first present?

I started to notice my sweating slowed down when I was about 13. Then at 17 I became pregnant and I completely stopped sweating.

On a scale from 1-10, how uncomfortable does this make you on a daily basis?

It depends where I am, I usually keep my house at a cooler temp. But out at stores and stuff about a 9. I don't only get uncomfortable, I pass out like I'm having a heat stroke almost.

So do you save on heating bills?

A little bit but I have a 5 year old living with me so it still has to be warm. I always keep my bedroom really cold so if I get to hot at home I just go into my room for awhile. My son has a thick robe and slippers he wears just so he can come into my room.

Were you on bed rest while pregnant? My friend had a baby in November and she was super hot the entire second half of her pregnancy.

I was not on bed rest I kept getting told I was too young for the things that were happening to me to happen. I live around hillbillies.

At what point do you realize you're overheating?

Do you exercise?

I realize I'm over heating when I feel a prickly feeling on my skin and I feel my heartbeat in my head. Then my eyes kind of darken. It never gets less scary!

I just started exercising this past year. I literally spray water on myself and stand in front of a fan on high. I've lost about 45 lbs and kept it off!

Why not take up swimming?

Because if she passes out in the water she's fucked. It's not like you don't get hot in the water. You just don't get as hot....

Exactly I'm always a little nervous about passing out and drowning.

But your body in a pool should act exactly the same as anybody else's body, right?

Just use a wet towel to get there and wet it again for the way home. Little bit of plastic in the car. I think that would work, but I don't know the particulars of your condition.

Yes I swim everyday with my kid. Or I always have a sprinkler on in my yard so I can go outside. My water bill is so damn high.

At what age?

I'm 23

When was it 'diagnosed?'

It hasn't been officially diagnosed. But it was medically recognized last year that I could not sweat. I'm going to the mayo clinic or Cleveland clinic next month, I haven't decided which one. I honestly posted this AMA to see if anyone here had heard of it and maybe help somehow.

Any incidents from eating spicy foods or do you avoid it all together? I can't handle anything spicy without breaking into a sweat.

Do not bring up my pain!! My favorite food used to be salsa but I can't eat it at all. I used to work at a Buffalo Wild Wings so I also loved wings too. I still eat the sweet bbq ones but it is not the same!!

I have extreme hyperhydrosis! We should touch and see if we're both normal afterwards.

Lol ill try anything at this point!

You should consider picking up playing guitar, the strings would probably never rust!!

I played the flute in middle school, it did not go well...

What is the hottest you've ever gotten as a result of this? What happens if you overheat?

I'm not sure the hottest I've gotten but over last summer I was outside and fainted on my way to the pool so the person I was with just threw me in and splashed my head. Had to still go to the hospital though.

throwing your unconscious body in the pool, that's what friends are for.

My head was above water lol! It was either that or heat stroke.

I was tested for cushings last year. I had a lot of lady problems, milk coming in when I hadn't been pregnant for 2 years, I have that extra padding on my upper back/neck area. My MRI showed no tumor on my pituitary. Good luck with everything.

Thanks you too! I also showed no tumor on my MRI but my doctor still thought I needed surgery so they removed about 1/3 of my pituitary gland and found a small tumor and tumor cells in what was removed! Keep fighting for answers if you still have problems. Cushings is very hard to be diagnosed! Pm me if you ever need to talk about it!

Were you just unable to get down with this song?

Oh god now I'm too hot from laughing!

Try and pop a molly

this motherfucker..

If I understand this correctly, you don't sweat anymore because of a pregnancy. That's really interesting. Also, I've never heard of this possibility before. Why doesn't anyone ever talk about these things or at least talk about them more often?

I'm not sure if it's "from" the pregnancy but it did start to happen then. None of my doctors have ever heard of this which is why i'm sure it doesn't get talked about. It's very rare and I've never met or read about anyone have this happen. I'm a damn snowflake.

I've actually had this problem since I was born. Growing up was tough for me (I'm 21 now, going to be 22 in march), because I would randomly pass out from overheating, and the doctors had no idea what was going on. I was tested frequently for epilepsy, or any other possible conditions dealing with my brain, and even my heart (I remember being on a heart monitor, and having to have an EEG? scan.. It was scary). My first known pass out was when I was 2 months old. I actually figured it out myself that I was overheating a few years ago, and that I wasn't sweating. I have no memories of ever sweating during my childhood, but seeing other children sweat.

I now have a cooling vest that I just shove in a ziplock bag (pre-soaked), and carry with me when I believe I may have a chance of entering a too warm environment.

Stay strong, this disease sucks, but you can still live a semi-normal life. =)

Ahhh someone else with this problem!! I thought I was the only one!

How much do you save on antiperspirant on average per year?

Hmmm alot. However I use the money saved from that on batteries for my fan. It is always dying!

I have the opposite: Hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating.

For me, personally, what this means is that my body works relatively normal but instead of stopping the process of cooling down or heating up, it overshoots it and then tries to correct itself and then overshoots that, like a pendulum that eventually settles in the center. As a result, I sweat in pretty much any circumstance unless I've been at a constant temperature for a long time.

This, fortunately doesn't give me any real health problems (I get dehydrated if I don't drink an absurd amount of water), but it can be embarrassing to try to explain that I'm not sweating because I'm nervous, but because I went to the gym an hour ago and my body hasn't cooled off yet.

I can also radiate heat a lot and get really uncomfortable cuddling with people because the combined body heat becomes way too much for me.

I guess my question is would you rather deal with Hyperhidrosis over Anhidrosis? Did Anhidrosis cause you any embarrassment?

EDIT: I saw in your post that you weren't sure what caused this but it happened after your pregnancy. I remember talking to my doctor about my Hyperhidrosis and he said that its not uncommon to start in women after pregnancy so that might be connected.

It's really embarrassing to have the weather outside be like 30 degrees and in I walk with short shorts and a tank on. I literally get stared at everywhere I go. Even at doctors offices! It like really I'm here because I have a problem quit staring asshole. Plus I always have a handheld fan and it is noisy. So people hear the noise then look then see me dressed light and look so more lol it used to bother me a lot but anymore I'm kind of used to it!

Maybe they are staring because you look hot in shorts and a tank? always look on the brighter side of life ;)

:D

you should go to england or germany, or norway or something, there's always people wearing shorts when it's 30

Oh god my people....

Please tell me you don't live in a tropical area.

No I live in the US near the east coast. It is only really hot here from about June to September. I can't really leave my house in those months. But it sucks because in the winter it's cold but not inside of buildings and peoples houses.

You ever think of moving somewhere with a better climate for that? I'm originally from Tennessee so I know the humid heat of summers but moved to San Fran a few years back. There's like 2 weeks out of the year where you need shorts here. Pretty much 50-70 year round.

I didn't know it was so cool there. That is awesome and in the next year I will be moving somewhere where it's cold.

You must be hot.

Edit: I'm sorry, this is an AMA. Are you hot?

I'm always hot ;)

What other health problems have you had?

This all started when I got pregnant at 17 (shut up, I know) I had a terrible pregnancy and had to have a c section at 30 weeks. I stopped sweating and developed Cushing's disease while I was pregnant. It went undiagnosed until last year. It's pretty rare so no doctors around me could figure it out. I had a tumor on my pituitary gland which was causing the cushing's so I had brain surgery in January of 2012. I didn't go into remission until August though. There are alot of little problems that add up from having all this but the list could go on and on. Right now I'm in the process of testing for a tumor in my hypothalamus in my brain or something attacking my sweat glands. The doctors are kind of at a loss for now and are just grasping at straws it seems.

How's the baby?

He's amazing! Very tall and healthy! He's only 5 but will be passing me up in height before I know it. He was all excited today because there is a new kid in his class that is his height. Lol he was like OMG someone my size. He has no health problems and says he wants to be a doctor when he's older so he can fix me.

I hope my kid is that sweet.

He really is so sweet! When I had brain surgery last year he slept with me the whole time I was in the hospital. We played wii Mario and donkey kong. He made that stay so much better!

Do you pant? Roll around in mud?

Yes both but while naked for full effect

What's one spot on the world that would give you the perfect ambient temperature for the majority of the time, and would you move there?

I have no idea where but I would like it to be around 60-68 degrees. I would move in a heartbeat!

[deleted]

Shower sex or quickies are better for someone like me.

How has it effected your work/professional life?

Yes in a huge way! I haven't been able to work since it started! I'm on disability. It sucks. I can't wait to be able to go back to work!

What do you do for work when you can work?

I want to become a physicians assistant. Or be a cook lol I love cooking

I have like the opposite, hyperhidrosis were I sweat excessively, it affects my hands feet and underarms.

Edit: I was so excited that I had the opposite, I had to comment. Just read that ever other commenter has hyperhidrosis.

People with sweat problems unite!

What about during intercourse? No sweat even then?

Nope my ideal guy is a minute man

Gentlemen hold yourselves back..

Well, in that case, I'm an Aries and a virgin. How much more of a quickie can you want?

You sound perfect lets do this

As someone that sweats almost uncontrollably, I'm jealous.

Was the anhidrosis a side effect of medication or separate altogether from cushing's and raynaud's?

This is something I'm not sure of! Still having testing done to try and did out!

What are your sleeping arrangements like at night? I imagine keeping your temp stabilized thought out the night has to be a hard thing to manage.

I sleep with a light blanket and a fan right on me. It really sucks when I wake up after having my mouth open all night! Mouth. so. dry.

Do people ever ask you why you never sweat? Or is it not noticeable to everyday people?

I always get asked after anyone sees my handheld fan. I usually get "oh wow are you hot!?" Ugh I either have to go into detail or answer the way I usually do "nope" lol but I look normal I recently have lost a lot of weight so now people are a lot more sympathetic about it.

Congratulations on your success with that despite the danger of overheating in exercise. I can confirm from personal experience that heavier folk have a harder time dissipating heat.

Thanks! I started out at about 200lbs at 5'5 and now I weigh about 159lbs. I'm guessing about 20lbs of my weight is boobs. I plan on having a breast reduction when I stop losing weight!

As someone with hyperhidrosis, I envy you.

Don't though! :) in summer it is terrible

Do you suffer from intense heat rashes when your body warms up?

I turn red. Super sexy look!

So since sweating is a reaction caused by becoming too hot, do you have the opposite problem too, which is not shivering when you are too cold?

I don't get too cold very often but I still shiver. My hands go really numb when I get cold.

I sweat almost exclusively through my hands, do you want to have a hand transplant? You can have one of my sweaty hands to help regulate your body temperature, I can have your non sweaty one so I don't embarrass myself during business meetings.

Deal! That way I don't embarrass myself out in public :)

Why no proof?

Because I'm a dumbass and couldn't think of any proof lol :)

Do you have some sort of digital thermometer or something to monitor your body temp?

Not at all times but I've used one during testing so the doctors would know when I get overheated.

I have hyperdrosis. I sweat a lot. ps- I am jealous!

I'm jealous!! :)

Do you wear deodorant regardless?

I do but honestly I don't need to.

Do you get sick more often since your body isn't secreting bodily toxins through the sweat?

You would think I would but no. Other than this I'm actually pretty healthy. I can't even remember the last time I had the flu.

What happens when you get sick and get a fever?

I actually have not had to deal with this yet. I don't get sick very often! All I've had is colds.

Does this mean you have to constantly find a good patch of mud to roll around in? Like a cop? : )

Are you kidding me? Fucking hilarious...

Do you use a blanket to sleep?

A very thin one because I can not for the life of me sleep without one! I've tried and just can't do it.

How do play sports? and has this ever cause u not to do something?

I used to do gymnastics but other than that never really been a big sports person. I used to go hiking a lot and now I can't. I tried going kayaking over the summer and it was awful. I just wanted to be in the water the whole time.

Was the baby affected in any way from you being diagnosed while pregnant?

Affected /effected I have no idea

I just answered this but no he is very normal and happy. I do worry about how me always having to go to doctors and hospitals affect him so honesty I started lying about it. I just tell him I need to go to the store or if we need to go to another town I make it into an adventure and find something he can do that's fun while I go to the hospital for things. We went to Chicago in December and he went to shedds aquarium! I'm a single parent so I don't want him to always be worried. Luckily I have my parents so when it's an out of town trip I bring one of them and they have a fun grandparents day.

How are your pores?

I just had a skin biopsy and they look normal....so good!

Do you think a second pregnancy may reverse or at least make your problems better?

I have never thought of that my thoughts were always being pregnant almost killed me no more babies for me. Maybe that is crazy enough to work!

Congratulations on your remission! How does this effect you doing strenuous but normal activities, like sex, exercise, etc?

It changes the way I have to do things a lot. Like there are certain times of the day that I'm warmer or cooler so I usually try to do all my stuff in that time frame. I haven't had a boyfriend in about 6 months so no worries on the sex part lol but it's a little difficult. You learn how to manage!

Have you ever done bikram yoga and, after it was over, told people that you've mastered control of your body so well that even the intense heat couldn't make you sweat?

Haha! No but I should! Some asshole friend of mine told me to try that so I went to the place and bam it's like an oven. He thinks he's funny lol

Do you have congenital insensitivity to pain, too?

Nope I still feel pain! If anything my feet feel more pain. If I hit my toe it hurts forever!

Feel like a scumbag for suggesting this, but you should totally make this your theme song :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QyoRzZrF00

Hahahaha

Can't find a source for it but I was watching late night TV and they claimed the current Queen of England doesn't sweat.

Edit: Found a link, no medical info given though!

Seriously?! If so bros for life!!

Were you born with the inability? I assume your son doesn't have this?

No it started while I was pregnant and no my son is fine.

how can you test for similar things? I sweat very very little. After a hard workout at the gym, winded, about to pass out, I have a tiny bit of sweat in my armpits and that is it.

I recently had a "QSART" test done and did not sweat the whole time. I've had the test done when you get covered in powder and put into a chamber and they turn the heat up to see what happens when you get too hot. I almost peed myself in that one lol.

Soo... What's for breakfast?

Eggs and bacon. I make it for my kid everyday before school!

Do you show any other of the 'too hot' symptoms (like red skin)? Have you ever had your temperature taken during a too-hot-attack? If so, how high was it?

(Also, I have hyperhidrosis. We need to somehow trade some of our sweat glands. With our power combined, we can be comfortable!)

Yes I turn red! Really red on my hands and feet. Kind of looks like a sunburn

Yes I turn red! Really red on my hands and feet. Kind of looks like a sunburn. Share with me your sweaty ways :)

:o Jealous! That is, more or less, I don't think it's something i'd actually want to have. I say I'm jealous because I sweat pretty easily, and because I have eczema, it itches and is a bit extra comfy. After hockey practice I basically scratch my ass off... How would you then play sports? Does your temp stay the same, or does it rise and almost not cool down? The other way round too, like when you're cold, do you have difficulties heating up?

I couldn't play sports the most I can do is Pilates and yoga. I don't have any problems warming up its just cooling down.

Without wanting to be offensive, or even worse, creepy... What about sex then? That has to be quite unpleasant :(

Not unpleasant it just can't last very long. My old boyfriend and I would have me on top and have a fan set so it would hit my face lol nailed it!

Utterly fascinating.

Before I ask any questions I'd like to see either proof or mod-verification.

Hmm I thought of this but like what? Medical papers maybe?