I smell and co-workers are being so insensitive.

[MummikinsOopNorth]

Since I was a teenager I have had issues with body odour. I am so embarassed to go to a doctor but things have come to a head.

I came on my period at age 8 and was a C-cup in bra's by 9 so I don't know if this has anything to do with it.

I was viciously bullied because of it through secondary school, and at 17 when I started working at a nursery, the staff used to talk about me being my back. I eventually left.

Now, at my current job, my collagues are constantly making jokes about body odour and sometime hinting that it's them but I know it must be me. No one at this job has ever confronted me, but I wish they were because when 3 of them were joking about it today, I wanted to sit there and cry. I just put my head down and did my work and ignored the co-workers in question and was abrupt to them the rest of the day.

i DON'T know what to do. I shower every day, change my clothes daily and wear expensive deodrant. I can't actually smell any odour on me myself when they have been mean (I can smell my own odour after exercising or not showering sometimes). I am so depressed through it but don't know what to do. I am also an aspie (aspergers - type of autism) so find it difficult in any group situation as it is, let alone when I know people are laugjing behind my back.

Firstly, if this has been an issue with you since you were young then it could well be that your work colleagues are not referring to you and that you're actually experiencing a certain degree of paranoia. You're also probably aware that your aspergers can make social situations harder to gauge and so this is increasing your anxiety. If they are normally this childish then you should try and be as objective as possible and recognise that you may not be the bruint of their jokes.

However... this issue is obviously causing you loads of distress and so you need to address it. Some of the advice given here may work, some may not. The bottom line is that you need to see your GP about the issue. Make it clear to your GP the ways in which this is affecting your wellbeing at work (and probably by extension at home) and make sure they udnerstand that you need assessment and treatment. *Your GP will have had 1000s of more 'embarrassing' health issues to address than this and they won't have batted an eyelid at any of them - there's genuinely nothing to be apprehensive of."

tryingtoleave - yes, I sweat a lot (armpits), when anxious, and using Driclor (or Perspirex) has solved it.

Haven't read the whole thread as I'm on my phone , but I'm fuming on your behalf. This is bullying. I would be so tempted to say "yes I smell, but my hearing is impeccable. Unlike your manners."

Take yourself to the gp - I've had to go for embarrassing stuff and it's never as bad as worrying about it beforehand.

Please don't feel embarassed, it is your body, as nature intended.

When you go to your GP, avoid washing for say 24 hours before, so they can assess.
Tell them about your early development.

theevildead, that's exactly what came to my mind too. The woman on the documentary sounded just like OP, suffered from comments and jibes, left jobs, low self esteem cos of it, no social life cos of it. Weird thing was she wasn't able to smell it herself, but knew she must smell really bad from the comments. They did a simple blood test which sghowed up positive for that fish malodor condition, changed her diet and her life really.

op go to doc, don't vbe embarrassed and get help, I'm sure they'll be able to do something. Mention that condition and the test too case they don't think of it.

good luck

OP where are you???

Mummikins - you mentioned in your OP that you have Asperger Syndrome and find social situations very difficult. It may be that, because of your earlier issues, this has turned into a major anxiety for you. Body odour after exercise is totally normal, and you can smell it yourself, so it sounds like you would notice under normal circumstances. Is there another colleague who also smells a bit sometimes? Or could they be talking about a mutual friend?

You also mentioned that you are "fat". Obviously I don't know you, or what you look like, but it sounds to me as if you have some anxieties around your body in general. I suggest you see your GP and talk about these. There are many types of support you can access, and social skills groups might help you with the confidence you clearly lack. You come across on here as a lovely person, so please take advantage of any extra support you can get :)

Just want to second what Onceamai said about natural fibres. Its essential that your clothes are 100% cotton. When they have even 5% of viscose/polyester or whatever in, they smell quicker and often the smell remains even after they have been washed. (I'm another sweater)

I'm another sweaty bugger here due to perimenopause so can vouch for chlorella tablets (sell them on ebay and in health shops)as they do reduce body odour. You can tell they are starting to work because your poo starts to be almost odour free or at least inoffensive!