So, is b.o necesarily TMAU?

[sarahmarshall]

Let me begin from the beggining so you can all get an understanding of the situation.

I have strong body odor, it wont fill an auditorium, i doubt it fills a class, but it is strong. And constant!It started in 2009, i noticed i was taking Yasmins (anticontraceptive pill) in the time when it started and i figured that was the culprit, i went off them and nothing. But i was also sick and taking antibiotics which i am sure i prob didnt follow through. I also ate a high choline diet (mostly eggs, beans, a lot of garlic). *by the way, I went to my gyn, he ran hormone tests, all is good*. A year ago it wasnt so bad, i could get away easily by just wearing a mens cotton shirt and no deodorant or clyndamicin (antibacterial), back then i didnt follow any diet i ate whatever i want and it kept it under control because it was on and off.

But something happened last year, i remember i got sick sinucitis) and had to take antibiotics. I never followed through, i would constantly be on and off them. and my b.o got way out of control. I have chronic b.o now (its onionish btw) i just cant seem to get it under control.

I really doubt i have TMAU, first because its genetic and seriously, what are the chances? I wasnt born like this, something went off. Second, i dont think ive ever smelled like fish. Once in high school my friend asked me if i ate sushi, i suppose that time i did smell like fish! but i just read that it is normal to have a fish-like ep if you are eating a high choline diet (search it, if you have load of choline you WILL smell like fish, TMAU or not).

Its def taken a toll on my life, i dont have the money to get diagnosed and i keep praying that this will end.

PLease tell me your stories, i want to meet more people with TMAU and those who dont have it. I wanna know how it started, how you smell, can you smell it yourself? If what you can tell me can help me diagnose myself, you just helped a life.

Hoping to hear from you
Sarah

[carebear]

Hey Sarah,
I was diagnosed last September with TMAU (the primary/genetic) version, well that's what my urine sample indicated anyway although I haven't had the bloods done yet and I didn't smell as a child either so I suppose I could still have the acquired version - secondary tmau. Like you I thought what are the chances even though all the symptoms matched my own. The odour doesn't necessarily have to be a fishy one, my own or the more predominant one I think is more the fecal passing wind one judging on other comments however I cant smell this one. I have detected a wet dog smell on myself as well as a vomit smell and even a chemical/ ammonia smell. I think some people who have tmau have complained of an onion odour so it may be worth investigating further. If you want to know more about my attempts to control this I will be happy to message you back but I do feel that you need to get tested so you find out for sure what you are dealing with. Hope this helps.

[hello]

Hi carebear
I am looking into getting tested for tmau by Dr.Preti from the Monell chemical senses centre. Just wondering where did you get tested from?
Thankyou

[sarahmarshall]

what remedies are you to control it carebear? did you get well?

[sarah marshall]

I really doubt i have this though i mean i never eat legumes or eggs or fish or even meat for that especially not brocolli. And even when i do eat it it doesnt seem to be better or worse. Anyways on my blog i posted my plan, which i created with a detox sp., a gp, books, if anyone wants to follow it through. Another thing i wanted to ask everyone. do you all have healthy bowel movements at least 2 a day?

[Carebear]

I live in the UK so went to my GP (family doctor) who had never heard of it and I think he thought I was slightly mad but he agreed because I was pretty adamant about being tested. My doctor gave me a urine collection pack that followed the instructions sent to be by Nigel Manning who tests for TMAU in Sheffield hospital in England, it has taken me a long time to sort out a protocol that works for me and I have had to go beyond the dietican sheets given to me by Dr Lachmann's office, senior Metabolic consultant in Queens hospital in London who deals with adult patients with TMAU. Both these men have been very helpful. I went to a clinic after my diagnosis (about 4 months later) to have food intolerance/allergy testing done and these showed up a severe reaction to dairy - cows milk and other products made from this, also eggs, MSG and refined sugar.

I also avoid foods that are bad re tmau, the above, red meat, certain legume veg, fish, red meat, anything spicy/hot, soya products, emulsifiers, convenience foods.

My diet at the minute stands like this, I am not saying this will work for everyone but it seems to be helping me:

Breakfast:
Porridge made with water served with rice milk. Water - drink lots, sometimes I take it cold or warm and sometime sith a slice of lemon or lime.

Break:
Fresh fruit usually pears, strawberries, mango, grapes, sometimes a banana.

Lunch:
Homemade vegetable soup with bakery bread (No soya, no butter/marg or emulisifiers)
Salad with either a little balsamic vinegar or olive oil/ fresh lime or lemon juice, genrally no meat usually includes lettuce, grated carrot, peppers, celery, fresh beetroot, grapes and some added fruit.
Banana sandwich or toast using non-dairy butter called pure.
Ready salted crisp sandwich
Roasted veg - courgette, peppers, mushrooms, celery.
Toasted bagels. (No soya)

Dinner:
Potato and leek cakes - I make myself, leek I have once a week and it doesnt seem to have a bad effect on me.
Boiled potato mashed with my special butter and rice milk served with roasted veg (courgette, peppers, mushrooms, celery)
Baked potato served with above veg and some side salad, no meat, no dairy.
Chips are fine for me, served with veg or salad
Chip butty/ sandwich with special bread & butter
Egg, wheat & gluten free pasta with olive oil and roasted veg served with sea salt and black pepper.
Fried potatoes, potatoes that are boiled and cooled then shallow fried in olive oil with salad or veg.
Other soups - no cream.
Vegetarian lasagne
Homemade potato wedges.
I dont think white rice agreed with me.


Desserts: Fresh fruit, nothing else

Alcohol: Have been avoiding completely.

It is not easy but I think it is slowly working but I do think it took months (4 - 5) to get the excess TMAU from my system. If I break the diet at all the odour will return. I have to be very strict.

I take a probiotic, vit C & zinc, charcoal, Liv.52 DS, a digestive enzyme and I have to look in to getting a calcium supplement.


I also have to be careful what products I use on my body when washing. I use Nivea Sensitive Balance, Sure pink deodorant, John Frieda brunette shampoo and conditioner (I wash my hair every evening, I find this is very important to do) and Fairy washing powder for clothes absolutely no fabric softener. Hope this helps. Good luck.

[shania12345]

Carebear,

Can you give me your recipe for vegetable soup?

Shania

[Carebear]

Yes I get fresh soup veg which comes in a pack where I come from and I wash and cut up, or some packs this is already done, ooojujthink it is mostly celery, leek, carrot. Then I put this in and cover with boiling water, I bring to a near boil (not quite) and then turn it down to cook on a lower heat. I will thinly slice 2/3 potatoes and add, maybe grate one extra one as well to thicken it up as I do not use barley, I use Kallo organic chicken stock cube and sometimes when my mum is cooking it she will put in some chicken thighs to flavour although I wont eat the meat. I also add some fresh thyme leaves as well and will serve with bakery bread, that has no soya or emulisifers.

[shania12345]

Thank you. How do you know bakery bread doesn't have soy or emulsifiers? and does it say emulsifier on the bread?

Shania

[Carebear]

Two of thee bakeries I get my bread from sell a loaf that is wrapped with ingredients attached and I basically think they are bread, water, yeast, flour and salt. The internet is great for recipes so if in doubt have a look there.

[roma]

@carebear I am wondering even with the diet your doing have you notice any changes in the reactions from people now ?

[Carebear]

Yes I have noticed a difference however I havent had a great week this week I slipped from the diet a bit due to bank holiday and thats the last because any deviation away from it seems to land me back to square one. I think I might also reduce my crisps intake to once a week, reduce my salt and black pepper and try working on cutting out tomato ketchup as well, has sugar which i feel is not good for me. Also not taking my supplements when i should also seems to have a direct bearing on odour even when following the diet so I think unfortunately we need to be super strict with ourselves and if it buys us some comfort and relief re odour I intend to keep working on strengthening my willpower. I think I had my odour to quite a low level there and will work this week and next on getting it back there but it might take longer to get the tmau bacteria out of the system, someone once to said to me and it makes alot of sense said you have to treat it like diabetics some foods are bad for us and we have to steer clear of them unfortunatley these foods made up my entire diet beforehand so it has been a radical change but soon you body gets used to the new food and I think it builds up an even greater dislike and inability to cope with the old ones, if that makes sense or it least it seems like that with me.

[Mama]

my son thinks he has TMAU and has limited his diet drastically. I notice his sweat smells strange sometimes, although not fishy. He's breaking out in eczma as well, and has got very thin, with dry skin. He has sent off a urine test, but it seems to be taking ages to get the results back so we don't have an actual diagnosis. He seemed to develop this a couple of years ago, in his early to mid 20s and I am really desperately worried about the effect it is having on his life. He used to be very sociable and had lots of friends, he's smart and good-looking. But now he's withdrawn from other people, has become really socially isolated and seems hopeless. He feels like nothing he does makes any difference, and I'm really worried about his state of mind, his underlying health (due to his extremely restricted diet) and his future. Can anyone give us any advice on where to go for help? We are in the UK.