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Experiencing a sweet smell like Juicy Fruit gum.

Brain & Nervous System | Last Active: Apr 27 12:13pm | Replies (21)
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@mikeythecat

I get the juicy fruit gum smell intermittently for 12 days a year. It happens mostly in the spring. I have written to neurologists and other doctors who do sensory research and the best they can come up with is some sort of brain trauma.
This has happened to me for almost 13 years. There have been a couple of years in which it didn't happen, but I have no idea why. About 4 or 5 years ago I started counting the days that it existed and found that it usually goes away in 12 days just like clockwork! I know this is a weird one, but has anyone had the same phenomenon?
I posted this in the brain section also. I figured it might be due to some sort of ketosis although I have never had a diabetic problem.

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Replies to "I get the juicy fruit gum smell intermittently for 12 days a year. It happens mostly..."
celia16 | @celia16 | Apr 22 6:06am

Why do you suspect ketosis? I am curious about it. I’ve always suspected anxiety causing mine, as well as my mom’s.

My mom has had these phantom smells for most of her life and she’s 83. They vary in type and frequency. Her MRIs are always normal, but she has had depression and anxiety since early adulthood.

I first had phantom smell during a time of extreme stress after first being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes many years ago. It was intermittent for about 6 months and left. I then had a recurring intermittent smell of roast beef cooking only on a Sunday at a certain time for years. There was no roast beef. It then vanished. The last smell was an intermittent pleasant fabric softener smell that was for several months after covid and a very traumatic health period, but has gone. I may not get another one for years.

I was diagnosed with smell/taste disorder and post covid syndrome in November 2023 by ENT due to diminished smell/taste and bitter taste. Also evaluated by neurologist as was having tingling, fasciculations body wide. (MRI and EMG normal). No known cause, but I began talk therapy and it has helped greatly, though I still have lingering post covid symptoms.

I had never had lack of smell or taste disorder before covid. I have been doing scent retraining. This is my experience with it so far.

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