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Smelling Cigarette Smoke (Phantosmia): What could it mean?
At some point in the past week or two I started smelling cigarette smoke where there definitely was none. Initially it was just a brief whiff while sitting in my easy chair and then it would be gone, but now I smell it everywhere. And it's no longer just a brief whiff - it's almost constant and to the point where it sometimes makes me feel nauseous.
I have recently increased the amount of Gabapentin I'm taking from 300 mg/day to 500 mg/day. Is it possible the increase in Gabapentin has anything to do with this?
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Thank you for the links, John!
I have now called to schedule another doctor appointment. Feel like a hypochondriac at this point, but will try it again
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2 ReactionsThanks Colleen! Going through the course now : )
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2 ReactionsDear All
I've just found this as a couple of years ago I only occasionally smelled cigarette smoke at my Mother's house and believed that it was either the neighbours or someone passing by on the street.
Fast forward to 1 month ago and, after a severe cold in December I started smelling smoke at my house a little more frequently. Again, I thought it was one of my neighbours (I live in an apartment block).
I had a cold last week now constantly smell cigarette smoke both at home, in the office, in my Greek lesson class, practically everywhere and it seems as though the smoker is sitting right next to me. I've been asking everyone around me if they can smell it and the answer is no.
It's driving me crazy and beginning to get me down.
I quit smoking back in 1986. I am 63 and do not (luckily) take any medication other than the odd Ibuprofene or Paracetamol tablet for headaches (max. 3 times a year).
I called my doctor this morning (the first time I've had to call in two years) and she just prescribed me some Flumicil as I am suffering from coughing fits at night from what feels to me like post nasal drip and she has asked me to take a Covid test, just in case. I do hope that this will help, but it really is beginning to get me down now.
At least I know I'm not alone with this problem, but I so want it to end.
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2 ReactionsWelcome @ppditaly, It is somewhat comforting to know you are not alone. I'm wondering if you saw the links @colleenyoung shared with @scottula in an earlier post. Here is the link - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/635780/
Did your doctor mention anything about phantosmia (olfactory hallucinations) or discuss possible treatments?
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1 ReactionNo, she didn't mention anything about that but said she wanted to start with the Flumicil to try to clear any mucus which seems to be secreting and disturbing me at night.
She also wants me to test for Covid, just in case.
I've read just about all the posts in this string but as I don't take any medication I now think that an infection or fungus of some sort could be the cause.
I've got humidifiers with essential oils going in the bedroom and in the sitting room in an attempt to cover any odours. I've also got the windows open a fraction now that the outside temperature is better, but I've always aired out the apartment.
I'll take a look at the link and see how I get on with the Flumicil.
Watch this space....
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2 Reactions@ppditaly Good morning and welcome. I see you joined Connect today, on my birthday!😊 Unfortunately, I have no consolation prize to offer.
What I do have is an experience from my working days when my co-worker complained of smelling smoke for a couple of years. She and I sat adjacent to each other and were, and are, still good friends. While I suffered from hypersensitive sensors and could smell anything and everything, I never smelled her claim of smoke. She also was having headaches and occasional migraines which lead her to a neurologist. Inevitably, an MRI found a brain aneurism and she had surgery to remove it. All went well and my friend is now healthy, happy, and no longer smelling smoke. I don't share this to alarm you, and am not saying you have this scenario, but knowledge is power. Do you have a neurologist? If so, have you mentioned smelling smoke to them?
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3 ReactionsTook my first dose of Flumicil before I went to bed last night, together with a nasal spray and a throat spray. No coughing attack or Post Nasal Drip in the early hours and actually slept through to 8.00 am !!!!
No sneezing today and so far just a little 2 minutes of cigarette smoke this morning.
Methinks seriously that it was all due to mucus, sinus and upper airway blockage.
If I have any negative news I report back, otherwise this is one, very happy person.
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3 ReactionsYou make some very good and valid points there. I Daughter takes Gabapentin 300 mg. and I had never heard of that side effects either. I will let her know about it now and she is changing Dr"s as hers moved away without notice.
Twelve years ago I was coming back home with my family after leaving a restaurant. Mid way through the ride I smelled smoke cigarette smoke and it was heavy. I asked if any of them smell that, no to my kids and husband. When we got home I was puzzled because the smell hadn’t gone away. I sat watching tv for 3 hours until it was gone I recall it hurting my throat a lot.
Some might say it’s a visit from a deceased loved one.