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Original poster

Sulphurous halitosis, wind, strong nasty taste

55 replies

wtafisthissmell · 04/10/2017 20:25

Can anyone shed light on my symptoms?

For a few months now I have had bouts of the most evil halitosis, with matching farts.

It smells like sulphur / rotting feet / something that died. My DC are aghast and have told me how bad I smell. When I had a brief chat with their teacher recently I could see him recoil and turn red... I have a burning / metallic taste in my mouth, in the plaque on my teeth and on my tongue.

My diet is low sulphur low sugar, low-ish fodmap, high fibre. I religiously avoid sulphites, ie orange squash, sausages etc. I drink a large amount of water, peppermint tea, fluids generally.

I have been tested for helicobacter pylori, and have scrupulous dental hygiene - floss daily, have dental hygienist after my 6 month dental checkup. My gums are very healthy. At the moment I am cleaning my teeth 6 to 8 times daily but the stench, and horrible taste, persist.

I am taking Pepto Bismol (Bismuth binds to sulphur) 3 times daily, it isn't making a significant difference but I think it would be worse if I didn't take it IYSWIM.

I don't drink alcohol or smoke, and am in fine health otherwise. I recently had a colonoscopy (small, non problematic, polyps removed, gut seen to be in good condition).

This is utterly awful to live with.

Any thoughts?

OP posts:
Mooey89 · 04/10/2017 22:22

I had this really badly when I had awful gallstone flare ups - BUT it was accompanied by bloating and crippling pain so would think you would have noticed it!

Hope you’re ok.

Original poster
wtafisthissmell · 04/10/2017 22:22

Lactofree milk too as it is low fodmap

OP posts:
florentinasummertime · 04/10/2017 22:23

My first thought is dairy allergy?

Poor you and poor dc Grin

Original poster
wtafisthissmell · 04/10/2017 22:24

It's the mental trauma that is getting to me. I smell utterly foul, and I just cannot escape Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
wtafisthissmell · 04/10/2017 22:25

Have also had York Test, although this was years ago. I may ditch dairy completely for a bit and see if that helps, maybe lactofree isn't quite enough

OP posts:
Original poster
wtafisthissmell · 04/10/2017 22:27

Yes poor DC - must be horrible having a smelly mum Blush Sad

OP posts:
Nazdarovye · 04/10/2017 22:27

I think the problem is exactly that you overbrush your teeth. It can actually give people bad breath, just like not brushing regularly, believe it or not.No need to brush them up to bloody 6-8 times a day. Are you bonkers? It is actually harmful. Cut down to the normal twice brushing daily and the evil smell will leave.

Original poster
wtafisthissmell · 04/10/2017 22:30

The excessive teeth cleaning is just in the past few days, the taste is utterly dreadful and I just can't not give them a once over. I agree it is excessive, but it definitely isn't the cause.

God this is minging

OP posts:
sadie9 · 04/10/2017 22:36

It's not this is it? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trimethylaminuria

MiaFarrowsWheelbarrow · 04/10/2017 22:38

My husband had similar and it was especially bad if he had eaten any pork for some reason or a particularly heavy meal. Following a blood test it turned out he was diabetic and as soon as he started his meds it stopped. I don't know what the link is but I can tell you it was a relief that it was dealt with.
You have my sympathy OP and I hope you get a quick diagnosis at the doctors.

MollyHuaCha · 04/10/2017 22:43

Poor you.

My thought... too much sugar in the diet? It sounds as though you may be incubating the wrong kind of bacteria. If you drastically reduce sugary foods including fruit, does that help?

Good luck.,

Utini · 04/10/2017 22:43

Have you tried a good quality, high strength probiotic? Might help if it's a gut issue.

Original poster
wtafisthissmell · 04/10/2017 22:44

Hmmmm I wonder if it is trimethylaminuria... Is it easy to treat? Given that I already have dietary restrictions, how much more could I work through this with diet i.e. if I'm already doing everything and this is how awful it is then God help me Confused

Will phone GP tomorrow, armed with the suggestions from you all.

If only it would just go....

OP posts:
Original poster
wtafisthissmell · 04/10/2017 22:45

Sugar has been off the menu for a long time now, so it's not that.

OP posts:
poisonedbypen · 04/10/2017 22:46

Is it fishy? Think it is quite distinctive. I don't think there is a cure as it is a genetic thing, but I'm sure there will be ways of minimising it if it is that.

Original poster
wtafisthissmell · 04/10/2017 22:47

I have a probiotic in the cupboard, a solgar one, I will rummage it out.

I think chlorophyll helps too? Will Google it...

OP posts:
Original poster
wtafisthissmell · 04/10/2017 22:54

Definitely not fishy. Tho I don't know what's worse - rotten egg or fish? Confused Blush

OP posts:
Original poster
wtafisthissmell · 04/10/2017 22:55

Sugar definitely makes it worse, I absolutely agree that the sulphur producing bacteria thrive on sugar

OP posts:
cherrytree63 · 05/10/2017 08:16

I have no idea about the smell you describe, but the metallic taste in the mouth is one of the few symptoms I get from my GERD.

Original poster
wtafisthissmell · 05/10/2017 09:46

GP appointment at 10:40am today. Hopefully I will get some guidance, or a referral or something. Awful taste still Confused

OP posts:
Ohwhatbliss · 05/10/2017 10:14

I know exactly what you mean by the sulphur eggy burps, your description took me straight back to what my Mum said was food poisoning that I had when I was about 13. Truly disgusting. No real suggestions but really hope you get it sorted as I still remember vividly from those few days how horrible it was.

MollyHuaCha · 05/10/2017 10:19

Good luck wtafisthissmell. Smile

Original poster
wtafisthissmell · 05/10/2017 15:08

Went to doc armed with suggestions / questions, got Corsodyl mouthwash Hmm, told to come back and have blood taken, to hey will test for metabolic stuff, also hormonal levels (am 49 and peri menopausal).

This episode will presumably pass, but it just keeps coming back.

OP posts:
Flatbum · 05/10/2017 20:57

GOs are shite i have no faith in them. Could you go private?

Flatbum · 05/10/2017 20:57

Gp’s**