Connect
← Return to Smelling Cigarette Smoke (Phantosmia): What could it mean?
Discussion
Smelling Cigarette Smoke (Phantosmia): What could it mean?
Brain & Nervous System | Last Active: Mar 3, 2023 | Replies (52)Comment receiving replies
Hi, @iceblue - since you seem to be describing phantom smells, or phantosmia, I wanted to point out this Mayo Clinic Q&A on this topic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/temporal-lobe-seizure/expert-answers/phantosmia/faq-20058131
Also, I wanted to invite others from a variety of Connect discussions who've described smelling cigarette smells or other scents that weren't really there to join this discussion, such as @sierrawoods @secretwhitepop @parus @merpreb @catlyn @sepdvm to comment on this constant (but not actually there) cigarette smell to the point where it makes you feel nauseous.
Have you contacted the appointment office at your doctor to see if you might be seen earlier than Jan. 17 so you can get some answers on these smell sensations sooner? Or, might you connect with your doctor who prescribed the gabapentin via portal message or a nurse line to see if the medication increase or something else could be contributing?
Replies to "Hi, @iceblue - since you seem to be describing phantom smells, or phantosmia, I wanted to..."
@lisalucier- Thank you for inviting me into this discussion.
@iceblue: During the beginning of my PTSD journey my first symptoms were migraines. Although they were pretty bad they were also filled with other sensations other than pain. One in particular, phantosmia, was particularity noticeable. That was smelling all sorts of smells. This was preceded by a second cancer and chemo. I agree, it's disconcerting! I never got it checked out. My husband was familiar with it and explained it to me. Now, 12 years later I still get these occasionally. And who knows, maybe there is smoke in the air for real that's been carried toward you. Maybe someone new in your neighborhood or driving by in a car? Who really knows what goes on in our brain and how medicines might influence changes. If this is very bothersome perhaps do some of your own research, like googling your current medicines and the effects of increasing dosages. Do you smell any other odors?
Connect
@iceblue
I hope you will let us know what the doctor has to say about this phantom smoke phenomenon.
Like I said before I’ve never heard of this happening with gabapentin in fact I was reading in Brain & Life that Gabapentin might actually resolve the issue. Obviously not in your case.
Jake