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Original poster

Feeling really awful about myself and my son.

185 replies

Hope54321 · 10/12/2025 13:30

Hello guys,

Hope you’re all having a wonderful day. I am currently struggling with my self esteem and confidence because I am a sufferer of chronic bad breath since about 8 years old. My eldest son was born with bad breath. Doctors are so confused and just throw the usual “it’s acid reflux”. Dentists say we have lovely teeth and a clean mouth. We still stink so bad. My bad breath is at a point where I can no longer mask it with chewing gum. I floss, brush and use mouthwash before I leave the house and I still get reactions from people.

I feel guilty that I passed this horrible disease onto my son. He is only 4 yeas old, he should be enjoying his life. He also has eczema, severe allergies, asthma and autism. Poor kid has a lot going on.

I just can’t take it anymore. The doctors have no idea and I don’t have tonsil stones. I’m really struggling with the bad breath, especially because now my son is suffering. He is repeating what the kids have said to him. After school he kept repeating “you’re stinky”. It breaks my heart to watch him go through what I went through as a kid. I really worry about his future.

People avoid talking to me at his school because of this disease. I’m not sure how much longer I can go on for like this. Thank you for reading. I can’t speak about this to anyone in real life so thanks for reading.

OP posts:
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Original poster
Hope54321 · 10/12/2025 14:51

muggart · 10/12/2025 14:23

could it be improved by increasing your stomach acid? you can do this by drinking lemon or vinegar before meals and chewing on bitter greens before eating.

anything else that is slightly abnormal about your body and digestion, even if it seems unrelated? There’s got to be a cause and if we can figure it out maybe we can help

I have tried both lemon and vinegar. I find the vinegar makes me smell worse and a little sick feeling.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hope54321 · 10/12/2025 14:50

HumphreyCobblers · 10/12/2025 14:47

Good advice above about seeking more conventional medical help but I would also look to improve my gut health. Time Spector has good advice. If I had funds I would visit a functional doctor and have some test done, but this works out v pricey.

Hi, I’m big on gut health and have followed strict diets and eat healthy high fiber diet. It makes no diffto my breath.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hope54321 · 10/12/2025 14:48

BusMumsHoliday · 10/12/2025 14:42

This sounds quite extreme for just stomach acid, and reflux is not something that would necessarily be hereditary.

I think you need more investigations. There are metabolic conditions that can cause strong bodily odours and these can be genetic. If your son's smell is so strong that other children are noticing it, it should be apparent to a doctor. I'd book an in person appointment and go from there.

Hi there, yes I was thinking maybe it is due to a mebolic condition. I don’t believe it’s due to acid reflux because my other family members have acid reflux and they smell normal.

OP posts:
HumphreyCobblers · 10/12/2025 14:47

Good advice above about seeking more conventional medical help but I would also look to improve my gut health. Time Spector has good advice. If I had funds I would visit a functional doctor and have some test done, but this works out v pricey.

Original poster
Hope54321 · 10/12/2025 14:46

SiberFox · 10/12/2025 14:07

That sounds really hard, OP.
Do you feel that you’ve had all the medical investigations possible to find the root cause?

The doctor has given me omeprazole so far, it’s made no difference in terms of my breath and has also caused diarrhea. Every time I bring up my son, they’re not intere and say children always change.

one doctor said if it’s due to genetics, there’s nothing that can be done about it.

OP posts:
FlyingApple · 10/12/2025 14:44

Is it tonsil crypts? Maybe nasal drip?
Someone should be able to help you both.

BusMumsHoliday · 10/12/2025 14:42

This sounds quite extreme for just stomach acid, and reflux is not something that would necessarily be hereditary.

I think you need more investigations. There are metabolic conditions that can cause strong bodily odours and these can be genetic. If your son's smell is so strong that other children are noticing it, it should be apparent to a doctor. I'd book an in person appointment and go from there.

muggart · 10/12/2025 14:23

could it be improved by increasing your stomach acid? you can do this by drinking lemon or vinegar before meals and chewing on bitter greens before eating.

anything else that is slightly abnormal about your body and digestion, even if it seems unrelated? There’s got to be a cause and if we can figure it out maybe we can help

SiberFox · 10/12/2025 14:07

That sounds really hard, OP.
Do you feel that you’ve had all the medical investigations possible to find the root cause?

ZippyPeer · 10/12/2025 13:49

This sounds really hard.

You've said you can't talk to people about it in real life? It might help people understand better and make it feel less embarrassing if you could find a way to open up about it.

Doesn't have to be everyone,but just trying to talk to a couple of people might help you feel better...

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