Unknown Body Odor

Posted by Deprest @deprest, Jan 4, 2012

I need help! I've got a bad odor coming from my body, that I can't smell. Yes it's hard to explain. Doctors think I'm making it up. In public people avoid closeness, coughing, holding their noses, avoiding me at all cost. I'm a prisoner in my home. Don't venture out unless low on food and pick times to do it. I'm constantly shamed.im healthy, clean. Homes clean, I can't explain. Have spent last two yrs going to every type doctor to no avail. My family can't smell it either. Has anyone heard of this?

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@turdlez

My life's a ruin now that I literally smell of feces.Anxiety,depression:I have the real estate version of them.Started back in 2018,just at the eve of my 20th birthday.It really sucks.If you suffer from this,how do cope? Anyone managed to get the condition under control?
-turdles

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How horrible for you...especially at your young age where friendships are so important. I saw a documentary once about just such a condition. Someone worked in an office and no one could tolerate the smell of this person. It turned out that he had a liver condition; nothing serious. It was due to an inability to handle protein, as I recall. Have a scan of your liver. Also check for diabetes. Cut out all sugars and eat plenty of vegetables and drink lots of water. I'd love to hear that this made a difference. If you are overweight, lose weight. I also read that obese people have a strong body odour not due to a lack of cleanliness but just due to the condition. This could be because of what they eat (high carb diet). Your body is telling you something. You need to listen. Good luck!

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My life's a ruin now that I literally smell of feces.Anxiety,depression:I have the real estate version of them.Started back in 2018,just at the eve of my 20th birthday.It really sucks.If you suffer from this,how do cope? Anyone managed to get the condition under control?
-turdles

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@turdlez

My life's a ruin now that I literally smell of feces.Anxiety,depression:I have the real estate version of them.Started back in 2018,just at the eve of my 20th birthday.It really sucks.If you suffer from this,how do cope? Anyone managed to get the condition under control?
-turdles

Jump to this post

You can get through it. I've had this for 20+ years. It's hard. It's really hard. But don't give up. We only live once.... keep trying to look at the good things and keep trying to find out more, experiment with food, beverages, clothes, soaps, see if anything you do makes it better or worse.... What helps my mental state is getting some exercise, outside, this way I don't worry too much about the smell affecting others and it helps getting rid of the negative thoughts. Also, find someone you can talk to about this. Family, close friend, or if you can afford some professional help.

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How difficult that must be for you! I watched a documentary several years ago. It was about just such a condition that resulted in the person smelling bad...and co-workers in his office unable to tolerate the smell. It was discovered that it was due to a liver condition. You could ask your doctor to do testing. And perhaps see an endocrinologist.
I have also read that excess body weight causes body odour...even if one is clean.
Good luck!

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@afrobin

How difficult that must be for you! I watched a documentary several years ago. It was about just such a condition that resulted in the person smelling bad...and co-workers in his office unable to tolerate the smell. It was discovered that it was due to a liver condition. You could ask your doctor to do testing. And perhaps see an endocrinologist.
I have also read that excess body weight causes body odour...even if one is clean.
Good luck!

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@afrobin I definitely think it could be caused by a liver malfunction. After I had a liver transplant my husband told me that I did have a mild odor before. It wasn’t strong enough to be a problem though.
JK

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Hi @deprest I have the same symptoms since March/2019. I am from Brazil and the doctors don’t know what i have. How are you now? I think I have dysbiosis or SIBO, these issues can cause body odor. I hope we discover the problem! Stay strong!

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I knew the sweetest nun with TMAU. The first time me and my kids met her she immediately explained it to them. She also gave them choices about how they could cope with the smell. She could light a candle ,open a window, etc. She made it about them . I've never met anyone else offer suggestions to others about how to deal with a disease they have the way she did. She said when she first noticed the odor and saw other people could smell it she was devestated. She went on to become a teacher and a nun. She was also the greatest advocate and educator. She still got depressed from time to time. She never quit!! The most amazing woman!!

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@becomingopeless

Im going through the same thing for 6 months. I have all the symptoms of Trimethylaminuria which all the doctors Ive seen so far havent heard of it so they are telling me its in my head so they wont even test me for it! Ive been so depressed and pretty much in isolation because of the odor. The only difference with me is I do smell it 24/7 and everyone around me smells it especially at work. I probably spend 1/4 of my pay on air fresheners. Its so embarrassing and not one doctor will listen to me. No one should have to live like this, I told my nurse practitioner that so she sent EMT's to my house for being suicidal and was transported to a emergency psych ward for 3 days. Now Im afraid to tell anymore doctors about this.

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Hi @becomingopeless,

How have you been? Are you feeling any better?

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@kao

Hi @deprest I have the same symptoms since March/2019. I am from Brazil and the doctors don’t know what i have. How are you now? I think I have dysbiosis or SIBO, these issues can cause body odor. I hope we discover the problem! Stay strong!

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Welcome to Connect, @kao. Are you able to share more about yourself? What treatment have you tried? Have you found anything in particular that helps, even temporarily? Muitas felicidades:)

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Hi @afrobin, I have to agree with @mutter3. It is not right to make assumptions. One cannot correlate a job choice or vocation with a medical diagnosis or to assume how someone conducts their life.

As per the Community Guidelines https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/ I'd like to underline item 2.
2. Remain respectful at all times.
- Be inclusive. Not everyone shares the same religious or political beliefs. Don't impose your beliefs on others.
- Personal attacks against members or health care providers are not acceptable. Such posts will be removed.

I have deleted both the offending post and the responses. Should you have a concern about the moderation actions, please write to me using this form https://connect.mayoclinic.org/contact-a-community-moderator/

Let's return to supporting members.

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