Re: Honest opinions - Olfactory Reference Syndrome

I am in my mid 40,s, female. I have suffered with body odour since the age of 11, or have been verbally abused since the age of 11. I have spent the last 20 years trying to get my TMAU diagnosed. I have been told by doctors that it is all in my head because THEY could not smell anything at the time, i have been sent to psychotherapists, been told that people were just being hurtful for the fun of it, the list is endless. To cut a long story short, i demanded to be tested for TMAU which proved positive. I feel vindicated but also feel dredful that I have this conditon and that it is incurable. I have spoken to Dr NIgel Manning who did my test at Sheffield Childrens Hospital and he has confirmed that everyone he has spoken to goes through what i have just described, because doctors in England are ignorant about this condition. I have an appointment with a dietician on the 18 of this month but have TOLD my doctor that i want a referal to Dr Lachman in London who is the uppermost authoritarian in this condition. I have an appointment with him on the 24 feb. I am willing to do a round trip of 600 miles just to be able to talk to someone who knows about this condition. The psycholgical effects this condition has on a person are vastly underrated by the medical proffesion. I do not socialise anymore, I have been made to feel like an 'IT' rather than a person and I just dont know why I was put on this planet if my life is not worth living. People associate B.O with poor hygine, which in my case, is totally the reverse. The reason why we are so made to feel like outcasts is that people are repulsed by bad smells and disgusted. I myself do not want to associate with people who smell because it disgusts me. Needless to say, i find myself disgusting, eventho i shower every day. \The frustration of actually knowing that five minutes after getting out of the shower i begin to smell is almost more than i can bare. Tweet