Sweet Smell When Breathing - It is a sinus infection or Pseudomonas

Posted by ReRE @jcwest211, Jul 1 1:29pm

I have bronchiectasis and sinus issues. I have suddenly begun smelling a sweet smell when I breathe in and out of my nose. Has anyone had this associated with a sinus infection and/or pseudomonas? Thank you

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jul 1 2:15pm

@jcwest211 I am double posting my answer to be sure you see it.
These are signs of an exacerbation - it doesn't really matter whether sinus or pseudomonas. It's time to contact your doctor before you have to wait through the holiday weekend and potentially end up in the ER.

This is a good reminder - anyone with a chronic lung disease who is susceptible to infections should work out an "emergency plan" with their pulmonologist.
The plan should include whether/when to "double up" on nebs and airway clearance, when to call them, and when to be seen immediately if your doc is not available.
Having a plan in place has kept me out of the ER, where unfamiliar docs nod their heads like they are agreeing with you, and then put forth an incorrect treatment.

ReRE | @jcwest211 | Jul 1 2:53pm

Thank you, I did see both posts.

celia16 | @celia16 | Jul 2 4:22am

Is the sweet smell experienced with every breath or is it intermittent?

ReRE | @jcwest211 | Jul 2 6:51am

@celia16 It was every breath.....now gone since getting on an antibiotic.....believe it is a sinus infection.

celia16 | @celia16 | Jul 2 3:18pm

In reply to @jcwest211 "@celia16 It was every breath.....now gone since getting on an antibiotic.....believe it is a sinus infection." + (show)

That’s really interesting. I don’t recall anything like that. I had an intermittent phantom sweet smell like fabric softener during a time after covid. It has resolved. I suppose it could have been an infection. My ENT didn’t mention that though.

Glad you’re improving.

mightylittlestars | @mightylittlestars | Jul 19 7:01pm

I've had this issue since middle school onto my late 20s and didn't realize that it was pseudomonas. Doctor recommended nasal rinse with baby shampoo and after 3 months of daily rinsing, it saved my life. No more smells and no more chronic sinus issues / getting sick for weeks on end.

The bacteria seems to take advantage of when you're weak and turns a common cold into a multiweek illness