Post by thea on Aug 2, 2011 22:45:47 GMT
I am a 56 year old female. I just joined in the hopes of finding help. Please bear with the shaggy dog story below - it does have some definite points I would like to make.
My entire body has total sweating episodes several times a day. In the morning my sheets are often soaked and all the sweat seems ammonia or sewer smelling. Six years ago I was diagnosed with Addison's Disease (where the body does not produce its own cortisol hormones) and Hypothyroidism. I take Prednisone and Synthroid as hormone replacements, antidepressants and pain medication (a low dose of slow-release morphine) for a spinal deterioration problem. Profuse sweating episodes can be associated with morphine, Addison's and thyroid, but there was not an odour problem until after I had bowel surgery two years ago.
The surgery was a repair in the lower bowel, approached through an abdominal incision and I got a temporary iliostomy at the same time to rest the large intestine and allow it to heal. The iliostomy appliance leaked constantly and caused a dreadful smell of corruption. Worst medical episode in my life.
Next year I went on a kayak trip and that was the first time this awful sweat-odour noticeably occurred. I had to paddle long into the night to camp. I began to sweat profusely and smelled a strange odour which got worse. I was horrified to realize the smell of corruption was coming from my own flesh and soaking my clothes! It gave me an immediate flashback to that traumatic 6 weeks in hospital with the leaky iliostomy ( I do not truly know if my description of the sweat odour is correct or if it is due to a body memory). Anyway, as soon as I hit camp I washed. I felt dreadful - ill and totally lethargic - and for three days I lay in my tent except for suddenly frequent needs to eliminate. It felt like my body was detoxing itself, to be honest. I was drinking lots of safely-filtered lake water, which I think helped. After 3 days, my energy slowly came back and I continued the trip. Gradually the odour left from my sweat. I got much healthier over 10 weeks of kayaking and travelling solo through the bush. Even lost 28 pounds!!!
Alas, winter came and snowed us in. My health and energy deteriorated again and I gained weight back. I could not exercise due to the severe lethargy and fatigue I was constantly feeling. That dreadful odour in my sweat came back.
The problem still continues. I often have to change shirts 3 times a day and sheets every day. It is summer and I still am feeling too fatigued to go kayaking, which is the only thing I dreamed of all winter. I have isolated myself, become antisocial and very depressed. Yes I have seen a doctor, but here, doctors are scarce, incredibly overbooked and overworked and only get paid for one health issue per visit. This cuts out any possible holistic approach. My health conditions are in a vicious cycle, as Addison's Disease, Prednisone steroid medication, and hypothyroidism all contribute to extreme fatigue and depression. I feel too ill to exercise, although I know exercise would help me.
My Conclusions regarding the possible causes of the sweat odour:
• Lethargy and fatigue and lack of exercise slow down the body's functions.
• My digestive function is compromised (always constipated) due to above, and Addison's and thyroid malfunction.
• Morphine also causes constipation and sweating.
• Constipation is literally a backing up of the system and toxins remain longer inside.
• Due to above, toxins filtered by liver and kidneys are being retained in the body.
• The bowel surgery and its aftermath might have also altered metabolism and digestive function.
• With the leaky iliostomy, I lost electrolytes and healthy intestinal flora (helpful bacteria) at that time and maybe my intestines lack the proper flora even now.
• Lack of healthy flora could have allowed more growth of "bad" flora, such as Candida, causing a systemic yeast infection that is said to give sweat a "beer-like smell" (perhaps I am misinterpreting the odour as more sewer-like due to traumatic memory of iliostomy).
• A possible stenosis (narrowing) in the digestive track (due to surgery) maybe slowing down digestion and elimination of toxins.
• Thyroid problems and all the rest of the above can contribute to liver disease.
• I read that liver disorders can cause an ammonia smell.
• 3 blood tests over last 2 years showing slightly elevated white cell counts indicating that something may be wrong.
So, folks, take your pick of causes. I do know I am desperate. I think the rotten smell indicates a present or developing new health problem, but it is impossible to get a complete health workup for this. I can't afford all the medical tests privately. I know I don't want to lie here every day, stinking and feeling ill, depressed and disgusted with my condition, because it WILL get worse. I want a life back. If anyone in this forum can relate to anything I have said please contact me via forum post or PM. I am planning to find a detox kit at a health food store and do a colon/liver/bloodstream detox for a week. I will post if it works. Thanks, and good luck to all fellow sufferers.
My entire body has total sweating episodes several times a day. In the morning my sheets are often soaked and all the sweat seems ammonia or sewer smelling. Six years ago I was diagnosed with Addison's Disease (where the body does not produce its own cortisol hormones) and Hypothyroidism. I take Prednisone and Synthroid as hormone replacements, antidepressants and pain medication (a low dose of slow-release morphine) for a spinal deterioration problem. Profuse sweating episodes can be associated with morphine, Addison's and thyroid, but there was not an odour problem until after I had bowel surgery two years ago.
The surgery was a repair in the lower bowel, approached through an abdominal incision and I got a temporary iliostomy at the same time to rest the large intestine and allow it to heal. The iliostomy appliance leaked constantly and caused a dreadful smell of corruption. Worst medical episode in my life.
Next year I went on a kayak trip and that was the first time this awful sweat-odour noticeably occurred. I had to paddle long into the night to camp. I began to sweat profusely and smelled a strange odour which got worse. I was horrified to realize the smell of corruption was coming from my own flesh and soaking my clothes! It gave me an immediate flashback to that traumatic 6 weeks in hospital with the leaky iliostomy ( I do not truly know if my description of the sweat odour is correct or if it is due to a body memory). Anyway, as soon as I hit camp I washed. I felt dreadful - ill and totally lethargic - and for three days I lay in my tent except for suddenly frequent needs to eliminate. It felt like my body was detoxing itself, to be honest. I was drinking lots of safely-filtered lake water, which I think helped. After 3 days, my energy slowly came back and I continued the trip. Gradually the odour left from my sweat. I got much healthier over 10 weeks of kayaking and travelling solo through the bush. Even lost 28 pounds!!!
Alas, winter came and snowed us in. My health and energy deteriorated again and I gained weight back. I could not exercise due to the severe lethargy and fatigue I was constantly feeling. That dreadful odour in my sweat came back.
The problem still continues. I often have to change shirts 3 times a day and sheets every day. It is summer and I still am feeling too fatigued to go kayaking, which is the only thing I dreamed of all winter. I have isolated myself, become antisocial and very depressed. Yes I have seen a doctor, but here, doctors are scarce, incredibly overbooked and overworked and only get paid for one health issue per visit. This cuts out any possible holistic approach. My health conditions are in a vicious cycle, as Addison's Disease, Prednisone steroid medication, and hypothyroidism all contribute to extreme fatigue and depression. I feel too ill to exercise, although I know exercise would help me.
My Conclusions regarding the possible causes of the sweat odour:
• Lethargy and fatigue and lack of exercise slow down the body's functions.
• My digestive function is compromised (always constipated) due to above, and Addison's and thyroid malfunction.
• Morphine also causes constipation and sweating.
• Constipation is literally a backing up of the system and toxins remain longer inside.
• Due to above, toxins filtered by liver and kidneys are being retained in the body.
• The bowel surgery and its aftermath might have also altered metabolism and digestive function.
• With the leaky iliostomy, I lost electrolytes and healthy intestinal flora (helpful bacteria) at that time and maybe my intestines lack the proper flora even now.
• Lack of healthy flora could have allowed more growth of "bad" flora, such as Candida, causing a systemic yeast infection that is said to give sweat a "beer-like smell" (perhaps I am misinterpreting the odour as more sewer-like due to traumatic memory of iliostomy).
• A possible stenosis (narrowing) in the digestive track (due to surgery) maybe slowing down digestion and elimination of toxins.
• Thyroid problems and all the rest of the above can contribute to liver disease.
• I read that liver disorders can cause an ammonia smell.
• 3 blood tests over last 2 years showing slightly elevated white cell counts indicating that something may be wrong.
So, folks, take your pick of causes. I do know I am desperate. I think the rotten smell indicates a present or developing new health problem, but it is impossible to get a complete health workup for this. I can't afford all the medical tests privately. I know I don't want to lie here every day, stinking and feeling ill, depressed and disgusted with my condition, because it WILL get worse. I want a life back. If anyone in this forum can relate to anything I have said please contact me via forum post or PM. I am planning to find a detox kit at a health food store and do a colon/liver/bloodstream detox for a week. I will post if it works. Thanks, and good luck to all fellow sufferers.