Opioids Opiates and Sweating--What to Tell People?

[Eva 33]

I'm prescribed long-acting opiates for chronic pain. As a side effect of the opiates, I sweat a LOT. Sometimes I sweat profusely, even when just walking through a store.

It seldom even gets very hot where I live, so I can't really tell people the sweating is due to the heat. I still do blame the slight warmth, however, because people invariably ask me why I'm sweating so profusely. I tell people I can't handle any heat, or that I just ran all the way to the store. But then I'm in the store for half an hour (maybe with air-conditioning) and I'm STILL sweating. People usually ask me if I'm ILL. One lady even asked my if I was having a "hot flash", but I'm still too young for that. (Of course, chemotherapy and/or certain breast cancer drugs can induce early menopause, but that's not the culprit with me).

The sweating is very embarrassing, but I try not to care what people think. I do need to drink LOTS of water.

However, I might be getting a new job soon, and I have no idea how I'll explain my nearly-constant sweating to my employer. (Sweating makes a person look untrustworthy or shifty, unfortunately). It's hard to project an aura of professional confidence when you literally feel like you're melting! I have tried meds to combat the sweating, with no success. I've also switched long-acting opiates, with only a slight decrease in sweating. Someone is bound to guess the sweating is caused by drugs. My drugs are legally prescribed, so presumably that will be okay with an employer, but who knows these days?

I know many other users of long-acting opiates have the side effect of sweating. I just wondered---how do you explain your sweating to co-workers or other people whom you don't want to divulge your drug use to? Thanks for any replies.

 

[dwamn]

say you have issues with overheating and the drs can figure out why

 

[Mr.Scagnattie]

Tell people you have focal hyperhidrosis..

Or carry around a towel..

 

[Whosajiggawaaa]

I've found these salvia (something) pills for night sweats and hot flushes to be fairly effective.

 

[missmeyet?]

I would just say it is from a new medication that I am on...I wouldnt tell them it is an opiate/opioid/narcotic.

Autonomic neuropathy is a good one..it is not a disease but a condition that can be a result of many things, including some medications, nerve damage, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, Parkinsons, etc, etc. It is basically damage to the nerves that control autonomic responses in the body which include pupil dilation, sweating, digestive functions, heart rate etc..basically all of the nervous responses involved in the autonomic processes (which is the things you do not control..you body automatically regulates). It can affect all or just one of the above things, so it could be a good excuse..and is actually true..since medications can cause it and that is what is causing you to sweat. Just say it is a result of an injury that caused some nerve damage or just from meds that you are on for whatever you decide to tell them.

 

[Blind Melon]

How odd. I sweat non-stop (as in you'd think I just got out of the shower and dressed w/o drying) when not on opiates. When on them I rarely if ever sweat.

I recommend carrying a few extra shirts with you if you have the space (car, backpack, office cabinet) and a good old fashioned hanky. So long as your sweat doesn't smell and you stay on top of it you should be fine. Plan ahead. And with family and friends don't be ashamed, if possible let 'em know what's up, it isn't your fault.

 

[missmeyet?]

I sweat a lot when I take opiates/opioids and feel hot all the time. Of course not to the extent as the OP.

 

[Mr.Scagnattie]

Sweating on opiates is only an issue if I did way too much.

With IV coke it happens all the time. I sweat buckets on that shit.