Alice Mata 1999 self-published TMAU book : When bathing is not enough

This is thought to be the first autobiography by a trimethylaminuria sufferer: Alice Mata. It looks like the book was published and written on her own initiative around 1999.

In her captivating literary style, Alice valiantly brings her readers to the depths of her shame-filled world of body odor. Being ahead of her time, she pioneers the road for all sufferers and non-sufferers alike to find words to express the heart-wrenching struggles and challenges of living with the alienating condition she faces day after day. Through her autobiography, Alice heightens awareness of the systematic emotional and social estrangement sufferers are forced to endure as a result of the profound ignorance that exists regarding this condition.

I awoke early to a beautiful summer day, and felt a great surge of love as I heard my children going about their morning routine. My oldest son, 18, getting ready for work, and my other son, 16, and daughter, 14, getting ready to go to Band practice at the Local High School. I should get up and fix them breakfast, I thought, but once again, a gloomy, heavy depression begins to engulf me, as many embarrassing incidents come to mind. Over and over, I ponder each one, analyzing and trying to find some other reason or explanation for each occurrence; hoping in vain that I misinterpreted the clerks in the stores, the waiters and waitresses in restaurants, the girls at work, some of my neighbors, relatives, some of my children's friends, and all the many other people I have encountered over the years, who have either by action, comment, or innuendo, led me to believe I smell bad. I remember the humiliation each time I pretend not to notice, the despair at not knowing what it is or what to do about it, and the indignation when they right away conclude that perhaps I don't bathe or use a deodorant; for you see, I am one of those few unfortunates who, despite fastidious grooming, and careful use of the best known brands of deodorants, still suffer for the very hush! hush! problem of body odor.

This book may still be available on sites like Amazon and Ebay, or you can buy it from the original publisher. There is also a downloadable Ebook version :

www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/ItemDetail.aspx?bookid=2195
the link should work if you paste the full address into the browser address bar

other sellers
Amazon USA : When Bathing is Not Enough

openlibrary.org entry for Alice Mata: When bathing is not enough