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Tidbits of Care

Lifestyle blog for self care, mental health and personal growth

Personal Journey  /  November 11, 2020

I Have OTC Deficiency, A Frightening Metabolic Condition

I have OTC deficiency. This is rare, and not something you’ve probably ever heard of and that’s because it’s a metabolic condition or disorder that is genetically linked. OTC deficiency doesn’t really affect my life too much, however this varies and is more problematic for males because this condition is X chromosome linked.

My Family History

I live a perfectly normal life. I don’t experience pain or have fainting spells or weakness in my limbs. I can run and work and live and am perfectly healthy. But, from my youth I always experienced sensitivities to food and vomited a lot. My mother tells stories about how when I was an infant, she was always covered in baby vomit because every time I ate, I spit up a ton of milk again. So I was known as the kid who just threw up for no reason.

Going further back, I have a first cousin who died very young, at less than two years old. I was only a few months old myself when he died, and for many years I didn’t know exactly how he died. My mom said something was wrong and that there was an ammonia build up in his body that went to his brain and caused his death. Being so young myself, I didn’t ask many more questions.

However, when I was twenty-six I did get a letter from Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto letting me know that my cousin, the sister of the deceased cousin, had tested for OTC defiencey and was a carrier of this gene mutation. It was this gene mutation that caused her younger brother’s death. I did some research, talked to my cousin and discovered that this metabolic disorder is caused by a mutated gene on the X chromosome that signals the body to cleanse ammonia build in the blood caused by protein intake to not function as it should. So my body does not do a good job at de-toxifying itself from that ammonia. As a result I have from a young age, restricted protein intake. I hate meat. I refused to eat it as a young child, resulting in many tears and drama around the dinner table.

nurse with blood samples tubes in a lab photo

Now, as a female, I am lucky in that I have a copy of the functioning gene from the X chromosome donated by my father at conception. My mother’s is the carrier of the mutated gene, which she inherited from her mother, as did her sister who passed it on to two children, a son and a daughter. Her daughter (my cousin) thrives as I do, but her son (also my cousin) passed away from the condition since it was undiagnosed. Speaking with genetic counsellors and specialists now, I know that should I have a male child and pass along this mutated gene, it can be managed with a low protein diet and other supplements. However, I doubt that was the case forty years ago should our family have known of the condition.

Related Article: Ill with My Frightening Condition, OTC Deficiency

Am I Afraid?

When I fist learned of this at the age of twenty-six, I was afraid of finding out whether I had this condition. I considered myself to be in good health, and the knowledge that I might have this condition sent me into an ethical rabbit hole. I had always assumed that I would have children. What did this mean for them? Could I pass along a gene that could potentially result in the death of my own child? The idea was terrifying. Genetic testing was available at that time, however, I chose not to pursue it because I knew that should I become pregnant, I would never be willing to abort a child who had tested positive for this in utero.

About a year or two later, I become very ill and needed to have surgery to remove my gall bladder, a routine day surgery. I waited a month and a half to have the surgery, and I was in agony the entire time. After the surgery, I was ill for an additional three to four months. My GI ran every conceivable test on me, only to find nothing in the end. He could not explain why my recovery was so prolonged or why I experienced pain during my recovery. I was well by then however and life moved on.

woman in hospital bed photo

Many years later however, when I was dating my now husband, we talked about this condition and I could tell it freaked him out. However, when I had been very ill, I had told my GI about my family history, and he had not pursued it leading me to think that it couldn’t be a possibility that I had this mutated gene. However, I knew my family history scared my now husband and I began to prepare myself to look into testing myself for OTC deficiency. And then, I ate a huge steak.

Recognizing the Signs

Now, you have to understand I do not eat meat. I eat very small amounts a couple times a week and could totally live happily as a vegetarian (which I did once for a year) and never feel deprived. Sometimes, so much as the smell of cooking meat disgusts me, and eating it can make me sick to my stomach. But that fateful night, my now husband cooked a really nice thick piece of steak. It was on the rawer side, which I like and I ate the whole damn thing. Like, it must have been six ounces of meat, maybe more and I usually eat next to nothing.

Remember that scene in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets where Ron barfs up slugs? Well, that night, I woke up and I had a similar experience. I literally threw up chunks of undigested meat. It was physically hard, felt just as gross as Ron vomiting up slugs looked, and this happened three times that night. I still shudder with the memory of how it felt travelling up my throat, and how my stomach moved like sludge that night. I was ill for a week. I had in-taken way too much protein and for the rest of the week I had a headache, experienced extreme fatigue and just felt God awful. I took three days off work and forced myself to go in the other two. This is what is considered symptomatic for a female who had OTC deficiency. I knew then that I needed to be tested. I had done enough research on the subject to know that it was a very real possibility that I had the condition as well.

picture of DNA helix

This experience gave me pause and I looked back on my life and my own medical history. I had recovered very poorly from my gall bladder surgery. I had experienced a lot of stomach aches and episodes of vomiting in my youth. As a young pre-teen I had had two surgeries as well, one of which I had also struggled to recover from. Knowing my history and having done my research, I knew that I probably had the mutated gene. I was just hoping that I didn’t. However, testing proved that I did indeed have OTC deficiency and explained so much of what I had experienced. I believe I am the most symptomatic woman in my family.

Living with The Knowledge

When I was twenty-six, I didn’t want to be tested because I was afraid and just didn’t want to face with the choices before me, or at least what I thought were the choices based on what I knew and the information passed on to by my cousin. She did have a child around the same time, or a few years a later anyway, and she was considered a high risk pregnancy because of OTC. She did follow through with genetic testing of her child in utero and luckily, her son did not have the mutated gene. She did not exactly paint a picture of a bright future for a boy who had the gene however.

But, when I was ready to find out, I was about 37, an age where you know you only have so many years left to become a mom. Testing and meeting with genetic cousnellors took about a year, and when I did get the positive result I was upset, but it wasn’t as devastating a blow as it would have been had I received the diagnosis at twenty-six. And science advances and I have been assured that should I pass the gene along to a male child, it is something that can be managed, especially since the mutation in my family is considered mild. Had I found out about this mutation when I was twenty-six, I would have severely suffered from anxiety and although avoidance is not something I would advise in general, I think it was best for me at that time as I believe now as I did then, that I had known, it would have affected my romantic relationships. Sometimes ignorance is truly bliss. And sometimes time is needed, as I as was far better able to cope when I did find out some ten years later.

So this is my story. Sometimes what is frightening is really not scary after all.

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Hi! I'm Giulia
I write a lifestyle blog that seeks to inspire others to begin to their own journey into self care, one tidbit at a time. I am passionate about sharing my own journey from the last decade, and what I've learned along the way. I love chips and dip and Tudor ficiton.

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    21 Comments

    • Lisa says:
      November 11, 2020 at 5:18 pm

      GOodness me, I’ve never heard of OTC deficiency but what a frightening way to be forced to find out. I’m glad it’s something that can be managed and that you’re better able to deal with it now.
      Lisa recently posted…A beginners guide to growing a tea garden indoorsMy Profile

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        November 12, 2020 at 1:10 am

        It was super scary to find out I could be a carrier, and I wasn’t happy to find out I was one, but I did suspect it. Luckily I am okay, I was always more concerned about what it would mean for my children, but it seems like they can manage it nowadays.

        Reply
    • Jaya Avendel says:
      November 11, 2020 at 8:27 pm

      How raw your story is here! I have never gone through any thing like this so I cannot relate on a personal level, but I send you my love and commend you for your bravery in sharing your story so others may be inspired and know they are not alone.
      Jaya Avendel recently posted…Poetry Published in As The World Burns Anthology from Indie Blu(e) Publishing!My Profile

      Reply
    • Charity says:
      November 11, 2020 at 11:39 pm

      Wow I did not know much at all about this condition before reading this. Thanks so much for SHARING all about your EXPERIENCE!

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        November 12, 2020 at 1:08 am

        It is rare, something I imagine only those specailizing in genetics probably are aware of. I’m glad you enjoyed the post, I was happy to share.

        Reply
    • Ellie-M says:
      November 12, 2020 at 5:27 pm

      Wow, what an interesting story. I’ve never heard of this condition before. I’m glad you managing your condition but I guess it’s a little scary that you’re a carrier. Thank you for sharing your story.
      Ellie-M recently posted…Comment on Inspiring Stories Of Determination – Maria Conceicao by Ellie-MMy Profile

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        November 12, 2020 at 5:32 pm

        It is, but at least I know that it is manageable and is not a death sentence for any sons I may have. That is a huge relief for me.

        Reply
    • Jodie | that happy reader says:
      November 12, 2020 at 5:40 pm

      As a nurse, i find this so interesting! I’m glad to hear your life has not been too impacted by this condition – knowledge is power. thanks for sharing.
      Jodie | that happy reader recently posted…Book Review – The Cookbook Club by Beth HarbisonMy Profile

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        November 12, 2020 at 5:56 pm

        I’m glad you enjoyed the post!

        Reply
    • Sophie says:
      November 12, 2020 at 11:54 pm

      This was so interesting to read. I’ve never heard of OTC before but it sounds like you’re very lucky to be female when you have it. I’ve seen comments you’ve left on a couple of posts of mine before about them being lower in protein and it makes soooo much more sense now (most people usually beg for more, not less). I’m glad you’ve found ways to make your symptoms more manageable x

      Sophie
      Sophie recently posted…How To Make Your Skincare Routine VeganMy Profile

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        November 13, 2020 at 2:09 pm

        Yes, I love the low protein recipes when I can find them! Your blog has helped though.

        Reply
    • Himawan Sant says:
      November 13, 2020 at 9:48 am

      I am sorry about your health condition. I pray that you will find the right healing treatment. This is the first time I know there is an OTC disease. Get well soon, friends. Greetings from me in Indonesia.
      Himawan Sant recently posted…Icip – icip Rasa Ropang otw MagelangMy Profile

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        November 13, 2020 at 2:07 pm

        Thanks for visiting the blog! Thank you for your well wishes as well, God bless.

        Reply
    • Jenny in Neverland says:
      November 13, 2020 at 10:49 am

      Thank you for sharing your experience with this. I’ve never heard of this condition so I’ve definitely learned something here. I’m sorry to hear about your cousin and I can definitely imagine it was scary to find out you had this and what that might mean for you.
      Jenny in Neverland recently posted…Top 5 Eternity Ring Picks From AbeliniMy Profile

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        November 13, 2020 at 2:06 pm

        Thank you Jenny. I was a bit scary, but I am okay now 🙂 I’m not afraid anymore.

        Reply
    • Britt K says:
      November 17, 2020 at 9:12 pm

      Sometimes, finding out is the most terrifying situation. After all, we can still pretend that there is nothing wrong at that point. Ignorance is bliss, right? However, taking that step and learning the truth empowers you to move forward in a safe, healthy way. Thank you for your courage in sharing this!
      Britt K recently posted…Fun and Unique Ways to Make Money as A Pet LoverMy Profile

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        November 18, 2020 at 2:39 pm

        Thanks Britt! Ignorance was bliss for a time, but I am glad I know now, odd as it may seem.

        Reply
    • mind.beauty.simplicity says:
      December 4, 2020 at 8:21 pm

      This was such an interesting read. I’ve heard of the term but never knew the details behind it.. thanks for sharing more personal insights on yourself and your life.. im glad you have found ways to help live a healthy life. 🙂

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        December 4, 2020 at 11:31 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    • metabolic Australia says:
      March 13, 2023 at 6:17 am

      YOU ARE such a special person and not everyone could ever have the same STRENGTH as you. most people i know will just give up. keep up the good fight
      metabolic Australia recently posted…Hello world!My Profile

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        March 13, 2023 at 9:36 pm

        Thank you, that’s very kind 😊

        Reply
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