Phantom Smells

[Littlebird88]

so this is an odd one.
I first started smelling cigarette smoke ( definitely not really there) a year or so ago.
It happens on and off . Also the same smell and intensity

It's v v annoying .
Anyone any ideas?

I've had that in the past, at some point it got really annoying and I could smell a strong unpleasant smell. At the same time I realised I could not smell normal smells like my favourite perfume. The bad smell got better and my ability to smell has returned but only to a certain extent. Apparently as you get older you lose some whatever that allows you to smell. Do not google as it mentions nasty reasons as usual.

ah thank you.yes I'd googled ! not fun.
but realistically don t think for a min anythi sinister.
wpnder if it's hormonal or stress or migraine type

Yes possibly olfactory migrane as I have the ocular one with flashing zig zag lines but not headache. Or sinuses when it was bad I took to clear my nostrils with salt solution. Interesting it happens to other people too and thank goodness there are sites like this one or you think you must be the only one!

It could also be a partial seizure.

thanks oldmum yes it's a relief.
I get the vision type ones but no headache.
gifts thanks. wonder if it would last for hours if that

I've had this on and off for years and it's horrible. The smell is always cigarette smoke for me, and I've never smoked. Sometimes it lasts for days. I finally went to the doctor early this year. ENT suspected sinus problems but a nasal endoscopy and CT scan ruled that out.

I was then referred to a neurologist who suspected possible epilepsy but an EEG and MRI scan ruled that out.

Basically I'm none the wiser but relieved to know it's nothing sinister, just really unpleasant! Hope you don't get it too often.

oh goodness. sorry you suffer from it too

I had that! A really strong smell of cigarette smoke all the time - it was thoroughly unpleasant.

The doctor said it was to do with allergies - I have perennial rhinitis and hayfever and at the time my nasal passages were very irritated. I started taking Beconase and the symptoms stopped.

Migraine? I have visual disturbances and/ or smell oranges or burning at the start of a migraine.

I had this really badly. Sometimes would last hours, sometimes days. Often triggered by coming into brief contact with someone smoking. Had a partial thyroidectomy last year due to large thyroid nodule and haven't experienced it since. Can't help but think was related