same problem with the smoke odor

[eval45]

I'm so glad to hear someone else is experiencing the same problem.  No answers and no solutions.  Yet, I have the same problem.  Smelling cigarette smoke in my nose.  By the way, when you are driving on the road, if someone is smoking and it's blowing out their window, it will come in through your air conditoner.  That's why you smell it when you are on the road.


This discussion is related to constantly smelling cigarette smoke.

[aufrex]

I, too, have been smelling cigarette smoke for the past, several months. I'm glad to hear that I am not the only one - I thought I was going nuts.

I've looked over all of the responses to this and the other, similar forum strings on the subject, and there appears to be a pattern to everyone's experience with this problem. Most appear to regularly take over-the-counter allergy, pain-reliever and/or other analgesic pills (i.e. Ibuprofen, loratadine, diphenhydramine hydrochloride), and, to a lesser extent, drink coffee. Perhaps there's something in the cheap filler used to make over-the-counter medicines, or binding agents, or preservatives, which produces the sensation or, even, the odor we all are experiencing (?).

I'm going to stop taking my regular doses of these over-the-counter medicines for a while, to see if the "cigarette smoke" sensation subsides.

[spider27]

Have had this constant bonfire smoke smell in my nose (and can even taste it at back of my throat) for the past 4 days. Smells and tastes almost petrol-like at times. I'm 55 and apart from being a bit overweight, I am generally healthy, not on any medication and not stressed at all. Havn't had any colds or sinus trouble. Can't understand it but am amazed and relieved to see there are others with same problem. Maybe my family will take me seriously now. Seems to have affected ability to smell anything else. Don't know how long this will last but will see my doctor if it carries on.  Will let you know outcome.

[magicfngrz]

The article that Soffala mentioned is an awesome article but may be difficult to read for those who don't have some medical background. I know 100% that my phantosmia is a precursor to a sinus infection. The article didn't mention this because they said that there was no evidence of upper respiratory infection in the patients they observed. From my personal experience and experimenting, I have come to the conclusion that I need antibiotics as soon as I smell the cigarette smoke in my nose. I can't smell anything else when this occurs and I'm not congested. It's just an internal smell of disgusting cigarettes and ashtrays. When the smell comes, I have no symptoms of any upper respiratory distress and within 2-4 weeks later the sinus infection finally appears with nasal congestion. If yours is sporadic like mine (maybe 2x a year), then watch if you get a sinus infection even up to a month later. If that is the case then you know that yours is like mine and directly related to an impending sinus infection and it is your personal warning. I'm blessed with this knowledge because I get the antibiotics and within 5 days the smell is gone. I also have a warning signal when I'm about to get an asthma attack. I get an itch along my waist on the right side and in my right lung. Then I use my rescue inhaler and prevent the spasmic cough. Hope this helps someone! :)

[soffala]

Read this: http://chemse.oxfordjournals.org/content/27/7/611.full

A good article about phantosmia.

[noseynosey]

Its the second time in 2 wks that I'm smelling this "stink" in my nose - nobody else around me smells it - thankfully, because I was horrified that it was ME!! I'm confident now though, that it definitely isn't. Besides the fact that I shower daily, and always wear fresh clean clothes - I've asked many people close to me, if they smell anything and they don't.

Its much worse when sitting at the computer.

I noticed that I had (what I used to call) sensitive smell - when I was pregnant with first child, things that used to smell pleasant now smelled terrible. (eg. when cooking a ham, I could smell a barn. When cooking chicken, I could smell a hen house.??? seriously - not good!)  but that is nothing compared to this awful smell I've been smelling for last few weeks. Its disgusting - smells like a dirty sweaty smoker.

Only meds i take is for acid reflux. Blood pressure has always been excellent.

IF EVER SOMEONE FINDS A CURE : please let us know!!!

I wish nobody had to have this, but I'm glad to know I'm not alone.

[bsmsl]

As the doctor posted early in this thread, the condition is called phantosmia.  The Mayo clinic web site he listed has some excellent information.

I have been formally diagnosed with a similar condition, parosmia, My form of parosmia does not fit the typical difinition.  I have abhorant reactions including asthma and vocal cord dysfunction attacks to just about every odor including all fragrances in perfumes, collognes, air fresheners and many foods especially cinnamon.

I will be posting a Health Page with my research on the conditions in the next few weeks when school is out and I have more free time.  

In the mean time, if you are new to this condition, please see your doctor.  This condition can be caused by a simple sinus infection.  It also occurs as migraine auras, damage to the olefactory nerve, and masses.  In many cases, the phenomenon goes away within a few weeks while for others, it is much longer lasting.  

As your new CL I definitely sympathize with you and I know that you are NOT crazy.  It is very real.  I would like to help all of you in any way I can.  If you have any specific questions you would like addressed, please ask.  

Take care and God bless.