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arpie's avatar
arpie
Member
7 years ago

Has your BO (Body Odour) changed with your treatment?

Hi guys

Just wondering if you have noticed if your BO has changed (become more pungent) after your rads and/or chemo?

I first noticed it during rads (hmmm ... maybe it was the 'fear factor' making me sweat more - plus of course, not being allowed to wear deodorant until after each rad was finished for the day ....)   Actually, I noticed my pee smelled different as well during rads (which was REALLY weird!  Not unlike when you eat fresh Asparagus .... but I hadn't eaten any - almost an 'oily' smell!)

SO .... here I am, 3 months down the track from rads - and my BO is still way more pronounced than it used to be.  I was expecting it to 'settle down'.

I've always used a Men's deodorant stick as I've found it more effective than Female ones ..... so that hasn't changed.  But now I am SO aware of it - I 'top it up' half way thru the day!!

What about you?  Have you noticed any change?

Take care out there & be kind to yourself xxx
  • Zoffiel's avatar
    Zoffiel
    Member
    7 years ago
    @arpie I can't let the mention of asparagus or new mown grass go past without suggesting you get your blood sugars checked. Don't ask me why, just do it. Mxx

    PS @allyjay one of the supreme low points of chemo was farting in bed, shitting myself and not even realising it had happened until everything cooled down. What's cold, wet, stinky and sticks to your leg, back, arse and then hand....Gawd. Just when you think you've hit all the lows. Sheets, topper, mattress protector, threw the lot in the bin because I simply did not have the physical or mental energy to wash them and couldn't trust my creaky old machine to do a decent job.

    That experience may have damaged me for life and convinced me I stink. Sort of joking. 
  • Sister's avatar
    Sister
    Member
    7 years ago
    Have had to clench tight on afew occasions and perfected the fast waddle.
  • AllyJay's avatar
    AllyJay
    Member
    7 years ago
    @Zoffiel, oh indeed. Whilst having the taxol portion of The Great Noxious Nightmare of chemo, I developed some sort of neuropathy in my bottom. Always felt as if I had either toilet paper or my knickers stuck in my crack. But then (red face here), it happened a few times that I thought I was merely going to sound the old bottom bassoon, and ended up with more than I bargained for. After that, I took to releasing the aforementioned windypops on the loo to avoid dastardly results. Fortunately, the situation has improved, but I still have to be very cautious that I don't do the dirty.
  • kmakm's avatar
    kmakm
    Member
    7 years ago
    The lady garden has a different fragrance since chemopause. Another thing that makes me furious. I'll get over it but garrgghh!  :#
  • Zoffiel's avatar
    Zoffiel
    Member
    7 years ago
    Ah, the 'Vegemite' knickers @allyjay That's a description of the smell, not the skid marks. Salty, a bit yeasty and really sour. While we are talking about knickers, anyone who wears white undies all the way through the poo perils of chemo is a better laundress than I.
  • AllyJay's avatar
    AllyJay
    Member
    7 years ago
    Definately had stronger body odour during and for some time after chemo. Most noticeable change of smell in my knickers. My lady bits smelled "chemical". A sort of sharp, sour and chemical smell...not fishy and no discharge, so not thrush or somesuch. Thar department back to normal now.
  • Sister's avatar
    Sister
    Member
    7 years ago
    Smelly feet - not sure if it's because my big toenails are only marginally attached (and way too painful to scrub) and wearing socks all of the time.  Plus I keep catching a sour odour and not sure if it's me or something else!
  • Zoffiel's avatar
    Zoffiel
    Member
    7 years ago
    It's possible it's a post chemo thing--both a change in odour and a heightened sensitivity to certain smells. I think spending more time in the house is part of it as well, I feel like I'm seeping into the paint and the soft furnishings.
  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    7 years ago
    Has that been a more recent thing, or have you been aware of it from way back, @Zoffiel ?  A number of women do have excess sweating & Doctors actually use Botox injections to 'immobilise' the sweat glands, reducing the problem big time.

    I found a coconut based home made deodorant recipe a while back, @ Zoffiel  .... here it is .... in the Less than Fresh thread:
    https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/comment/137357

    Hmmmm .... Maybe it is time I made some up & tried it?
  • Zoffiel's avatar
    Zoffiel
    Member
    7 years ago

    I stink. No one else admits to being able to notice it, but I believe I smell like mice and old tea towels; a sort of musty greasy unpleasant and unhygienic stench.

    I can't tolerate deodorant and it doesn't seem to make any difference. Its a bit like spraying the loo with Glen 20 when you've had a dump--it still smells like shit with an overlay of gag perfume and a side dressing of environmental vandalism.