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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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I’ve dealt with phantom smells since contracting Covid in 2020. My scents are usually cigarette smoke that can last on and off for 3-4 days. I’ve also experienced smells of baking bread, a pleasant scent until you have it for 4-5 days in a row. I’m not on any daily medications so I can’t pinpoint that, but it is wearing when it pops up.
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2 ReactionsI too smell cigarette smoke after having covid yet there’s no smokers in my house. I still can’t fully taste salt. I hope someone has an answer!
I am 41 yrs old and not taking any medication. The symptoms leading up to the smoke smell are kinda hard to put into words. But if my head gets below my heart or when I go to lay down in bed I hear/feel blood pumping in my ears. Sometimes it will be so intense it takes over everything for the few seconds it's present. Went to an ENT and they did a scope in my nose, sent me for a MRI with dye contrast that came back normal. Now my right eyelid has a really annoying twitch/flutter. Then here about 2 days ago I started smelling smoke, to the point I'm coughing quite often because my lungs feel like they are filling up with smoke.
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2 ReactionsHi, spyked. Did you ever find out more about this? I am having the same symptoms. I hope you are well. Thank you.
It’s not your nose, it’s your brain not getting the message. It’s called “phantom” smell.” Generally when you lose your sense of smell, then taste is soon to follow. It’s one of the many symptoms of SS.
@stevegrinstead
There are a few antiseizure medications that will likely get rid of the Phantosmi, or at least may help. I believe gabapentin and carbamazepine are two of the seizure medication's that might help but there's also a few others.
It depends on the cause I believe. I have epilepsy and know many seizure patients have these phantom smells especially if they have temporary lobe seizures. and get relief. It’s worth asking the doctor about. I think some anti-psychotic medication, which personally I would never take and I believe there's another type of medicine that may help this issue, but I don't remember what it is.
Best of luck,
Jake
@stevegrinstead
I think this is a long shot since I’ve never heard of phantom smell associated with this type of epilepsy but I wonder if you could possibly be having eyelid Myoclonia known as Jeavons syndrom.
This type of seizure isn’t as dramatic as other seizures often involving absence seizures that aren't often noticed and my own personal view is doctors often overlook illnesses that have more subtle symptoms.
Take care,
Jake
When I had severe acid reflux I smelled smoke when I would lie down. Still happens if I am not careful of my diet.
Please forgive me. Because of SS I have a very severe tremor. I couldn’t ever type accurately. Now it’s much worse.
Post COVID in late 2020, I had very intense phantom cigarette smells for several months. It slowly went away over about a year. I still experience it faintly every so often. I haven’t found any answers, but have talked with lots of people who have had some kind of phantom smells after having COVID. I also think my sense of smell is not what it was. No answers, just sharing.