Phantom/recurring smells?

[Alexandra 55]

Has this ever happened to anyone else? When I'm confronted with an intense or annoying smell for any length of time, it sort of repeats on me for days or weeks. The first time it happened, I'd smell this weird sort of medicinal smell in a fleeting way, several times a day, for a couple of weeks. I didn't know what it was or what was going on, until I went back into a store I'd visited only once before and realized what I'd been re-experiencing was that store's version of aromatherapy. That was an unusual thing, in that I couldn't identify the smell so I couldn't figure out even what the reference was. Once I figured it out, the recurrences stopped. It's like a sense-memory reflex, or something.

But now it's happening with the smell of smoke. Last week I was in a restaurant for a two-hour lecture, and we were in the room next to the smoking section. I think the a/c was off, and by the time we left both I and my seatmate were really irritated by the smoke smell. His eyes were even red. I thought it was over for me, but now I'm aware that I've been smelling smoke over and over even in places where it's not possible. Aargh!!

Has anyone else ever had this sort of thing happen? Is there anything I can do about it? It's driving me crazy!!

[New Hope 37]

Alex, just a guess here, but do you have any sinus problems going on right now? Maybe that is causing you to retain smells. Have you tried replacing them w/ good smells (like hand lotion, a candle)? Hope it gets better soon!

[donali 57]

Every once in a while I get overwhelmed by smoke smell - in places where there is NO smoke. Like in my car. Or in my house. I can barely breathe it is at times so intense.

I always attributed it to a ghostly visit from my Dad, who was a heavy smoker. He passed 12/00.

However, I'm sure there is a more scientific explanation...

[whippledaddy 5]

However, I'm sure there is a more scientific explanation...

Well, maybe. But who said the scientific, even if correct, explanation was BETTER?

I gotta go convince my wife it ain't my feet, it's PHANTOM SMELLS.

[lapbander081004 7]

I blame it on the Dog

greg

[Alexandra 55]

Every once in a while I get overwhelmed by smoke smell - in places where there is NO smoke. Like in my car. Or in my house. I can barely breathe it is at times so intense.

I always attributed it to a ghostly visit from my Dad, who was a heavy smoker. He passed 12/00.

However, I'm sure there is a more scientific explanation...

In my case, that would be my mother. Wow! What an idea!! I'll have to think about that one; she passed in June of '98. I completely believe that anything is possible.

What bothers me the most is the lack of explanation. I keep grasping at straws, like imagining that my neighbors are burning wood in their fireplace -- even though I know they're not home. Sigh...

[paula 4]

Im kinda going with what Marie suggested. Sinus trouble... although Im not against a visit from Mom. Try blowing your nose (getting graphic) a couple of times then smelling a "good" scent right after the blow....

this usually helps me.

[paula 4]

Ryan and Greg...................

You two crack me up!

[hagerteresa 3]

A couple of years ago my mom got a sinus infection and completely lost her sense of smell. The only thing she does occassionally smell is chemically smells once in awhile. She nearly had a house fire and couldn't even smell the smoke. Sometimes she thinks her smell is improving but it never really has. I don't know if it is anything like your problem Alex but your thread reminded me of my moms situation. Hope it improves, Teresa

[DeniseG 3]

Donali,

Maybe I watch too much John Edwards, but, I believe that can happen. I have a similar situation. I will smell, a pipe, or Jergens soap and believe My grandparents are watching over me. Sometimes I will smell my Aunts breath (it was pretty distinctive) and I think My aunt in watching me.

[Alexandra 55]

Boy, I sure wish it was my grandmother's tea rose or grampa's 4711 cologne that followed me around. You'd think it would be, since I live in their house! But no, it's that horrible smell of smoke. Blech.

I don't have sinus problems, that I know of. I have been suffering from seasonal allergies a little bit, but it's more of the itchy, sneezy variety than any congestion. I think I'm coming to the conclusion that it's just oversensitivity to the smell of smoke, which is everywhere at this time of year. Many of our neighbors are burning wood, I'm sure of it. And even the barbecuse sauce at dinner was redolent of smoke! (Oh, wait, that was intentional.)

[lauri 0]

I think that blowing your nose is a good idea. You can have Post Nasal Drip (that is congestion that can go down the back of your throat) and not even know it. Now is that gross or what?!Flonaise (sp) nasal spray works great and smells good. Good luck to you.

[sassaay 1]

Hi Alex,

I couldn't believe it when I read this thread. I have been suffering from the exact same problem for about 2 years now. I use to suffer from seasonal allergies which turned into year round allergies, but I do have congestion and have been on a variety of nasal meds over the last couple of years. I think that when I grind my coffee Beans in the morning, if I have excessive mucus (sorry for being gross), the smokey roasted coffee smell gets trapped in my sinuses. This continues for days until I am so fed up that I will flush my nose with a saline solution. This seems to clear up the problem for a short time.

I kept telling my doctor about it and he finally sent me to an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist. This doc put me on a strong antibiotic for 3 weeks saying that often a sinus infection is present even if you have no real symptoms and sinus infections can be very very hard to cure. Since being off the antibiotics I have only had a couple of 'smokey' episodes and I still freshly grind my coffee each morning... so I am hoping I am cured, but I guess only time will tell. I see the doc again tomorrow.

If it really bothers you, they sell a good saline nasal flush kit at Walgreens for about $15.00. It comes with packages of saline and a neat bottle that makes the whole flushing process very simple.

Good luck,

[New Hope 37]

Well, once again, we bandsters prove that we have absolutely no shame and that no topic is taboo. LOL But the real question is, "Did we solve this mystery?" Let's hope so!

[blossom 2]

LOL!!!! Marie, you cracked me UP!!!

Alex, I think you may have a sinus infection and you should see your dr.