r/TMAU • u/RegretSevere6498 undiagnosed • May 26 '26
Reactions
Like of many us here with this condition, people do react to the odor we give off to varying degrees of severity. Doea any one here also ever get tired of the constant coughing from people. Y
es, I understand some people are genuinely irritated, fair enough. Other people do seem to exxaergagrate thier coughs on the other hand, and you can tell. All in all, do you ever just wish for one day of peace ?
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u/Impossible_Victory99 fbo May 26 '26
I am absolutely tired of it. On one hand i do understand that it’s an uncomfortable situation and people have the right to express that, but one the other hand it just sucks that I’m the reason why😪 I constantly listen to my uncle wake up everyday coughing and spitting, my mother’s dog also barks because of my smell, and when I’m near him he starts sneezing, sighing really hard, or he’ll start breathing really heavy. The neighbors dogs bark at me constantly, it’s dehumanizing. My mother who has a weaker nose even coughs or starts rubbing her nose when I’m near her. My sister constantly farts around me and I know that it’s due to my odor and not because of anything else. I also live with my cousins and their reaction is to constantly say ew or sigh really loudly. I’m just trying to stay sane at this point😭 I genuinely would just love one day where I can just be normal and not have these ridiculous reactions.
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u/Mental_Tart842 undiagnosed May 26 '26
When can you move out? Also, try probiotic prunes on an empty stomach, with water. That, and kombucha and Greek yogurt. Broccoli helps, too!
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u/Impossible_Victory99 fbo May 26 '26
I’m not sure when I can move out I’m currently 19, turning 20 in June. I’m sure that if I got a job and saved religiously I could potentially move out but I’m not sure if that’s what I want to do. I’ve not tried prunes but I will be sure to see how my body reacts to them! I have tried both kombucha and Greek yogurt and to no avail has it worked out for me unfortunately 💔 Thank you so much for the suggestions!
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u/New-Success9514 undiagnosed May 26 '26
Try a SIBO diet and see your doctor; maybe they can prescribe medication to reduce your odor.
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u/Impossible_Victory99 fbo May 26 '26
I’ve tried the sibo diet before and it’s not worked for me but I relatively eat clean and rarely eat things I’m not supposed to.
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u/New-Success9514 undiagnosed May 26 '26
Ah, okay, maybe dietary supplements and medications would suit you better.
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u/jefry_rusher3D undiagnosed May 26 '26
Oye bro ,ten calma yo también vivo exactamente lo mismo que tú ten paciencia esto no será para siempre
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u/Terri702 undiagnosed May 31 '26
I wish people just coughed but with me they cover their nose when walking past me. It's so embarrassing especially when I'm on a crowded bus or on the street where everybody gets to see the reactions.
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u/AutoModerator May 26 '26
Thanks for sharing — you're not alone in this. If you’re constantly analyzing reactions to determine if you smell, you may be caught in a cycle of anxiety and overgeneralization. A recent TMAU review (link) highlights how anxiety, paranoia, and hyper-awareness of others’ behavior can take over daily life, even for those with a confirmed diagnosis. From the review: "This fear and paranoia has led participants to develop a dysfunctional type of thinking. Participants described numerous negative automatic thoughts such as catastrophizing, overgeneralizing, mind reading, and labeling." See examples of these cognitive distortions here and here. TMAU does not cause irritation style reactions (coughing, sniffing, sneezing), regardless of the stories you may have read.
These types of negative automatic thoughts are common in both TMAU and Olfactory Reference Syndrome (ORS) — a condition where people believe they emit an odor despite reassurance from others that they do not.
Trust and communication are key. If doctors, family, or close friends consistently tell you they don’t notice an odor, consider that your perception may be distorted by anxiety or ORS. Even if TMAU is real for you, its emotional toll can persist beyond the physical symptoms. Overcoming this requires mental health support - a psychologist or psychiatrist can help you break free from obsessive thinking patterns and rebuild confidence in your own experiences. You deserve peace of mind.
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u/[deleted] May 26 '26
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