1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

I detect a smell even when it isn't present

Posted by becleartoday @becleartoday, Apr 13, 2022

I seem to have a condition called phantosmia. I will get a whiff of a strong smell---cleaning products, cigarette smoke, perfume and then for days will continue to smell it even though it isn't present. So odd! So annoying! I have MAC and bronchiectasis. Wondering whether anyone else has this strange condition.

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pegs | @pegs | Jun 7 11:12am

Hi special smellers! I have been the 'freak' in my family all my life. I can smell anything and everything, even in the next room. These are not 'imagined' smells. They are real. Horrid type smells stay in my brain for at least 24 hours. Since diagnosed with Bronchiectasis 15 years ago I continue to 'smell everything'. It's gotten to the point I don't even mention it if I smell anything like a 'funky drain' etc. around the house, as I live with a denier. The smell is there as when I've investigated any smells, there is a reason. However, I continue to be very sensitive to chemical smells, some perfumes, exhaust etc. I've had MAC, Pseudo and Covid twice, etc. and for me, this special ability to smell things is still with me.

REPLY
2 replies
irenea8 | @irenea8 | Jun 8 6:53am
In reply to @pegs "Hi special smellers! I have been the 'freak' in my family all my life. I can..." + (show)
@pegs

Hi special smellers! I have been the 'freak' in my family all my life. I can smell anything and everything, even in the next room. These are not 'imagined' smells. They are real. Horrid type smells stay in my brain for at least 24 hours. Since diagnosed with Bronchiectasis 15 years ago I continue to 'smell everything'. It's gotten to the point I don't even mention it if I smell anything like a 'funky drain' etc. around the house, as I live with a denier. The smell is there as when I've investigated any smells, there is a reason. However, I continue to be very sensitive to chemical smells, some perfumes, exhaust etc. I've had MAC, Pseudo and Covid twice, etc. and for me, this special ability to smell things is still with me.

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All the same for me. I can smell everything and am highly sensitive to any bad smells. Only my dogs seem to understand! Is this our body trying to protect/warn us about something getting into our lungs?

REPLY
nick52 | @nick52 | Jun 12 8:04am
In reply to @pegs "Hi special smellers! I have been the 'freak' in my family all my life. I can..." + (show)
@pegs

Hi special smellers! I have been the 'freak' in my family all my life. I can smell anything and everything, even in the next room. These are not 'imagined' smells. They are real. Horrid type smells stay in my brain for at least 24 hours. Since diagnosed with Bronchiectasis 15 years ago I continue to 'smell everything'. It's gotten to the point I don't even mention it if I smell anything like a 'funky drain' etc. around the house, as I live with a denier. The smell is there as when I've investigated any smells, there is a reason. However, I continue to be very sensitive to chemical smells, some perfumes, exhaust etc. I've had MAC, Pseudo and Covid twice, etc. and for me, this special ability to smell things is still with me.

Jump to this post

Welcome to the club! It is the same for me since I have bronchiectasis. The worst is cigarette smoke.

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pegs | @pegs | Jun 12 3:12pm

OH...any smoke is horrible for me. I live in the desert, yet in cooler months we have neighbors who light fires in pits outdoors! Not to mention neighbors burning wood in fireplaces! Really?
Hang in there! We are in this club all together.

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fredah | @fredah | Nov 4 4:37pm

I just started smelling a strong smell in my home that no one else smells . Sometimes it is so strong that I get nauseous. What can it be

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1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Nov 4 9:38pm
In reply to @fredah "I just started smelling a strong smell in my home that no one else smells ...." + (show)
@fredah

I just started smelling a strong smell in my home that no one else smells . Sometimes it is so strong that I get nauseous. What can it be

Jump to this post

Do you smell it elsewhere as well? Have you recently had a virus or infection or started a new medication?

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lilianna | @lilianna | Nov 5 8:06am

I mentioned it once. The last two times, before I got sick- flare up- I really smelled ozone in the air outside. My husband thought it was not possible but I did. So strange

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pmmar1 | @pmmar1 | Nov 5 10:21am

Azrithromycin caused me to have both dysguesia and phantosmia. I smelled sewage and tasted metal. This is a rare side effect but any new medicines should be considered in your case.

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myrakoepke | @myrakoepke | Nov 5 12:49pm

I do not think it has anything to do with COVID, Mac, or Bronchiectasis either. I have had the same thing going on now for over 15 years. I mainly smell cigarette smoke a lot. It is annoying sometimes. It started after I had nose surgery.

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