I have been smelling phantom cigarette smoke(update)

[Catty1]

Hmmm...here are some links....take what you want from them...

http://www.doctorhoffman.com/wwphant.htm

http://boogerz.blogspot.com/2006/09/...om-smells.html


http://bodyodd.msnbc.msn.com/archive...0/2123696.aspx
Dr Alan Hirsch:

“By all means, a phantom smell could mean something serious,” says the psychiatrist and nationally recognized smell and taste expert. “It absolutely needs to be evaluated. It could be a tumor – that’s on the top of your list of things to rule out – but it could also be a cyst or some infectious agent housed in the area of the brain where the smell is processed.”

Brief episodes of phantom smells or phantosmia – smelling something that’s not there – can be triggered by temporal lobe seizures, epilepsy, or head trauma. Phantosmia is also associated with Alzheimer’s and occasionally with the onset of a migraine.

But it’s not typically something sweet that’s conjured up by the brain.

“It’s usually more unpleasant stuff or odors that are hard to describe,” says Hirsch. “People will say it’s chemical-like or talk about a burning smell.”

Common olfactory hallucinations include lots of icky odors. Sufferers report smelling hydrogen sulfide (rotten eggs), bad perfume, garbage, a gas leak, wet dog, pungent body odor or spoiled fish or feces. The brain may trigger such sickening odors instead of agreeable ones because humans learned very early to avoid noxious smells for survival.

[kokopup]

catty1

“By all means, a phantom smell could mean something serious,” says the psychiatrist and nationally recognized smell and taste expert. “It absolutely needs to be evaluated. It could be a tumor – that’s on the top of your list of things to rule out – but it could also be a cyst or some infectious agent housed in the area of the brain where the smell is processed.”

Brief episodes of phantom smells or phantosmia – smelling something that’s not there – can be triggered by temporal lobe seizures, epilepsy, or head trauma. Phantosmia is also associated with Alzheimer’s and occasionally with the onset of a migraine.

But it’s not typically something sweet that’s conjured up by the brain.

“It’s usually more unpleasant stuff or odors that are hard to describe,” says Hirsch. “People will say it’s chemical-like or talk about a burning smell.”

Common olfactory hallucinations include lots of icky odors. Sufferers report smelling hydrogen sulfide (rotten eggs), bad perfume, garbage, a gas leak, wet dog, pungent body odor or spoiled fish or feces. The brain may trigger such sickening odors instead of agreeable ones because humans learned very early to avoid noxious smells for survival.

I will definitely call my ENT Monday, I had read some forums that hinted at
tumors or migraines but had not read any posted by Doctors. I will try to
rule out the tumor/ brain issues. thanks.

[wombat2u2004]

Catty1 is so sweet telling you all that Bill....don't you think ???
Yup....she's covered everything except leprosy....LOLOL.
Just remember mate, if for any reason your arm falls off.....definately go to the doctor. You COULD have leprosy.

[Catty1]

Well. Wom, it's gone on for a while, and nothing has worked yet.

It could just be a sinus infection, or it could be something else.

I suppose he should just stick his head in the sand?

[pomtzu]

I suppose he should just stick his head in the sand?

LOL - now that would work!!! He wouldn't be able to smell anything then!
Just joking..........

I'll bet it's a sinus infection, brought on by all the lovely Spring pollen. Here's hoping it's something that simple, and a big dose of antibiotics will clear it up.

[wombat2u2004]

LOL - now that would work!!! He wouldn't be able to smell anything then!

Hee hee

[kokopup]

I contacted my ENT and Based on my prior history he thinks I have a Sinus infection. He has prescribed Cipro Antibiotic and Saline irrigation of my Sinuses 4 times a day. I hope this is all there is to it. This morning I am still smelling the Cigarette smell but earlier I had an episode of it smelling like burning plain old paper.

[pomtzu]

Yipee - I was right!!! Glad it's just a sinus infection and nothing more serious.

Isn't it weird - the burning smell? From reading those articles of the links posted, this seems to be the most common smell. I've never had anything other than the burning smell too.