I was diagnosed with lyme about 6 years ago. I have a good lyme doctor but I still can't see any real improvement, can't walk, use a walker and have alot of balance problem. Before I was tested for lyme I use to get a real strong smell of ammonia that would almost take my breath away. Nobody but me would smell this. I still get this smell but not as often, maybe about 5 to 6 times during a years time. It only lasts about 3 minutes. Just curious, has anybody had this? If so does anyone have any ideas as to what might be causing this? Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :
Smelling things that no one else does is a lyme thing. But I read also (not wanting to scare you ) some where it may have to do something with kidneys?
Found one
Considerations
Some disorders will produce specific, characteristic odors to the breath.
A fruity odor to the breath occurs as the body attempts to get rid of excess acetone through the breathing. This is a characteristic sign of ketoacidosis, which may occur in diabetes, and is a potentially life-threatening condition.
A fecal odor to the breath (the breath smells like feces) can occur with prolonged vomiting, especially when there is a bowel obstruction. It may also occur temporarily if a person has a nasogastric tube (a tube placed through the nose or mouth to the stomach to drain the stomach contents) in place.
The breath may have an ammonia-like odor (also described as urine-like or "fishy") in people with chronic kidney failure.
Most ammonia in the body forms when protein is broken down by bacteria in the intestines. The liver normally converts ammonia into urea, which is then eliminated in urine.
(Protein is made from chains of amino acids and is high in nitrogen. This is what the body actually needs...the amino acids and their nitrogen.)
Ammonia levels in the blood rise when the liver is not able to convert ammonia to urea.
Elevated levels of ammonia in the plasma results in a decrease in the efficiency for the GABA-T enzyme and this results in
higher GABA concentrations after regulation in the liver.
To sum up, GABA receptors open channels for negative chloride ions , making it less likely that action potentials can be generated in output neurons in the amygdala.
These output neurons will then stop sending signals from the amygdala in the limbic system to the frontal cortex.
Kidney problems can cause the breath to smell like ammonia.
Do you drink enough good (mineral rich) water?
Posted by clairenotes (Member # 10392) on :
I read that ammonia is one of the waste products of the spirochete and also of other parasites, but not quite sure of the source. Have often wondered if this is what causes the inflammatory response, or at least, one of the things that causes it. Finding a way to clear it would be helpful, until the spirochetes are gone?
You might google "ammonia and lyme disease." I saw some interesting things, but not enough time to cut and paste and bring over.
Yes... try to rule out any serious issues too, like possible kidney problems.
((This is a topic that interests me, and there has been several discussions lately about anti-inflammatory meds/remedies)).
Claire
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
My doctor says the ammonia is generated by the toxins produced by dying spirochetes. When my ammonia levels went skyhigh he told me to stop the antibiotics until they went back down.
Sure enough, after a couple of weeks, they were back to normal.
Posted by daisylynn (Member # 4895) on :
Thank you for the replies! I'm concerned now about the kidneys, BUT I have blood work done every 2 months and my Dr. claims that my liver and kidneys are in good condition, no problems. I would like to think that I'm smelling ammonia because of toxins from the die off. I don't know what to think anymore. Thanks for your thoughts and ideas!
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
Ammonia comes from the breakdown of proteins.
Bb's cell wall IS lipoproteins!
The liver (and kidneys) have to be healthy enough to finish the processing.
Posted by daisylynn (Member # 4895) on :
quote:Originally posted by Marnie: Ammonia comes from the breakdown of proteins.
Bb's cell wall IS lipoproteins!
The liver (and kidneys) have to be healthy enough to finish the processing.
Posted by daisylynn (Member # 4895) on :
quote:Originally posted by Marnie: Ammonia comes from the breakdown of proteins.
Bb's cell wall IS lipoproteins!
The liver (and kidneys) have to be healthy enough to finish the processing.
Is this good or a bad thing?
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
Dear Daisylyn,
My husband began working out at a gym around 3-4 months ago.
I had been dx. with Lyme in October of 2006.
He kept coming home saying that his sweat smelled like amonia.
As he usually sweats until he is drenched, his clothes from the club come to me soaking wet.
I never noticed an amonia smell but we changed detergents, changed deoderants, etc.
I am not sure if it stopped, but he doesn't complain of it anymore.
His breath never smelled of amonia.
He had a positive Elisa for Lyme about 6 weeks ago. We're doing Igenex testing this week.
He is to see my LLMD in April.
Wonder if there is a connection.
He stays well hydrated with purified waters, etc.
When I saw your post it made me go "hmmmmmmmmm".
Who knows.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by caat (Member # 2321) on :
Another possibility is a brain reaction. When I first got sick I had the smell of death and rot in my nose. Everything I ate had that taste to it. No one else smelled it. It lasted about 3 months maybe and then I almost lost all sense of smell for a while, then my sense of smell came back much later. I think it was nuerological.
Posted by clairenotes (Member # 10392) on :
Daisylynn -- it seems like it could be a good thing, if it is a sign that Bb is dying. Still, it would seem that there could be something that could help clear the amonia more quickly.
Claire
[ 18. March 2007, 09:09 AM: Message edited by: clairenotes ]
Posted by yourtroubl (Member # 11087) on :
I never thought I would see this post.
One thing over the last almost two years I have had lyme and did not know it was an amonia smell when I have a bowel movement. Its mostly gone now. But it would leave the bathroom smelling like amonia.
I remember searching all over the internet for what could be causing this and just being out of luck.
Wow, I am in shock
Posted by Annxyz (Member # 9097) on :
I am having a really strange problem . My food tastes bizarre , and I have no appetite . I have to force myself to eat and the food is so yucky - everything .
I know this is neurological, but what could cause it ?
Posted by clairenotes (Member # 10392) on :
One of my first symptoms years ago was the inability to taste food. One day I was eating my favorite food, peach frozen yogurt, and I couldn't taste it. This lack of taste wasn't continuous but off and on. But my weight began to drop, due to lack of appetite, which continued for years.
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