I know how you feel! I too think that I would be able to do so much if only I didn't stink!!! Encourage you to speak with your parents about this issue. They probably will tell you that you don't stink and not to worry about it. If they do, show them these threads. Look of TMAU threads and "fecal
Body Odor " threads. I told my family for years that I had this problem and no one seemed to believe me. It wasn't until I broke down crying in the middle of a resteraunt after a boy loudly commented that it smelled like poop in there. It was then my Dad finally realized that this was a legitimate issue for me and became more sensitive and understanding. He still won't tell me that I smell though lol.
If you want to get this under control by next year, be prepared to change a lot of things. Like your diet for one. The GAPS diet and Anti Candida diet are good places to start researching. Also try to find out what your blood type is and look up the
Blood Type Diet . Jucing fresh veggies and fruits can also be very cleansing. Leafy greens like kale and spinach are good bases. Parsely, mint, celery, cucumbers, carrots, green apples and beets are good add ins to your juices. There is a product called "Body Mint" (or a copper chlorophyllin supplement) you can order online that helps reduce internal smells. Good, refrigerated probiotics and digestive enzymes taken on a regular basis can help beef up your natural defenses and aide your gut in doing what is designed too: break down foods and eliminate the bad things! Activated charcoal is also a good deodorizer, as well as a magnesium/zinc supplement.
In the morning I drink a full glass of purified water with a tbsp of raw Apple cider vinegar, squeeze half a lemon in there, a sprinkle of cinnamon and a small squeeze of raw honey. I do notice a difference in the intensity of my smell if I follow this regimen. Dr. Bronners castille soap is the only soap I use as I am very sensitive to chemicals.
As far as college goes, I hope and will pray that you don't go through it with this problem. You can start carrying around a change of shirt, sliced lemons and a small container of homemade deodorant in your backpack to use between classes. Stressing out over the smell will only make it worse and if you know you have a back up then it might help your anxiety about it while sitting in class. Now, this will sound a little crazy but.. I've found that if I tell people, straight up, that my body cannot break down certain things like other people can, and the result is a stink, then apologize for smelling because you are doing everything you canto control it, then people seem to react differenly to me. If they can't smell anything, great. If they can, at least i know that I've gotten the first word in and they aren't making assumptions about me. They know the truth from my mouth and can take that as they will. People can be surprisingly understanding and kind if you are brave and unemotional about telling them about your problem. Not everyone, mind you, but definitely your roommate and your professors. Some people are dyslexic, some people are allergic to peanuts, and we, well... We stink. It's a crap disorder but it is a disorder all the same.
I don't believe in reincarnation but I do believe that everything happens for a reason. Please, please don't think your life will always be this way. You have to maintain a positive, hopeful
Attitude. And if you go out, and someone says something like that, the best thing you can do is tell that person, in private, that this is an internal issue for you and apologize that it has bothered them. They will be pretty shamefaced for having said something ugly. It's like they are making fun of you for being tall or short or having blue eyes. YOU CANT HELP IT. I know that sounds pretty lame but if you are brave and straightforward it will only help you. Don't go around shouting it out but address it immediately. You know you smell, and if you point out the reason with kindness it takes all the power away from them to make you feel bad about yourself.
I will check back with this forum from time to time. If you need a friend, I'm here.