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Original poster

Funny smell..

51 replies

deflatedbirthday · 08/03/2022 20:35

For the last week or so I have been experiencing a smell on and off that no one else can smell.

It's a florally type smell. Not unpleasant.

At first I thought it was a new diffuser. So I moved it. It's not the same smell on investigation.

Then I thought it was daffodils. Got rid of them and I can still smell it.

I can smell it at home, at work, in the car, everywhere. But not all the same.

I can almost taste if some times.

As I say it's not unpleasant but the fact no one else can smell it I'm finding weird.

Any ideas?!

OP posts:
Original poster
deflatedbirthday · 08/03/2022 20:36

Also to add

No recent colds covid or infections.

I've not changed perfume or washing powder or anything either.

OP posts:
EmpressCixi · 08/03/2022 20:37

Could be a sinus infection. Have you had any chills or headaches?

coldfeetmama · 08/03/2022 20:48

Can you smell pear drops ? Is it from your breath ?

itsanothernamechangeforme · 08/03/2022 20:49

Are you pregnant?

LovedayCL · 08/03/2022 20:52

If it persists I would try to see your doctor.

Original poster
deflatedbirthday · 08/03/2022 21:09

To answer a few...

Sinus infection. No. I've had endless sinus infections and I get an awful smell/taste. This is different.

Pear drops no. It's most definitely more floral. And it's not my breath.

Pregnant. I doubt it.

I'm just a bit Confused

OP posts:
LetsGoCrazyPurpleBanana · 08/03/2022 22:24

Covid? Have you tested?

TokyoSushi · 08/03/2022 22:29

Yes was going to say Covid too...

Original poster
deflatedbirthday · 08/03/2022 22:59

Good call. I'm lateral flowing now.

It's driving me bonkers. It's like sniffing a fragrant candle constantly when it starts. I didn't have it at all yesterday. Today it's on and off all the time.

OP posts:
Original poster
deflatedbirthday · 08/03/2022 23:05

Negative lateral flow

OP posts:
pigletsbiggestfan · 09/03/2022 11:12

I'd get a PCR in case it's a case of the LFT not being sensitive enough.
It would be driving me mad too and I'd want to know if Covid was the cause.

Although I will say lucky you if that is your change in smell, at least it's nice!

LetsGoCrazyPurpleBanana · 09/03/2022 11:13

Yes,very lucky LOL. Mine was smelling dirty ashtrays all the time 😢

dizzydizzydizzy · 09/03/2022 11:54

It's very strange OP. Book a GP a appointment.

Whatdramain2022 · 09/03/2022 12:00

I've been smelling floral smells too. I had Covid a month ago. I only knew from a LFT.

pigletsbiggestfan · 09/03/2022 12:48

@LetsGoCrazyPurpleBanana I couldn't even tell you what mine was, it's just smelt horrible!

MustBeThin · 09/03/2022 13:01

This has been happening to me on and off for years, well before covid came about. I have absolutely no idea what it is. I'll smell something very similar to Johnson's baby lotion on and off for a few weeks then nothing for months and then it'll come back again. I have no Johnson's lotion in the house, I don't have kids. I can just be climbing into bed and I'll smell it or sat watching tv by myself. Nobody else can ever smell it.

Original poster
deflatedbirthday · 09/03/2022 14:52

I can get a rapid pcr through work but it's so on and off I'm not sure.

It's baffling!

OP posts:
Reasonistreason · 09/03/2022 16:06

I have had this for years now. It’s called Phantosmia which is basically when some thinks they can smell something that’s not actually there - a phantom smell! Mine started out with a smoke smell, either wood burning or cigarettes. It took me a while to realise that no one else could smell it. Over the years it has persisted and has actually affected my sense of taste too in that I don’t seem to have the same depth of taste as I used to. The doctor wasn’t worried. It’s just “one of those things” apparently!
It does continue to annoy me though.

Original poster
deflatedbirthday · 09/03/2022 16:10

I've made a gp appointment. I made the mistake of googling and I've scared myself a bit'

OP posts:
cherrypiepie · 09/03/2022 20:06

I've had this and it's phantosmia - olfactory hallucinations.

In March/ April 2017 I started smelling smoke and it's spiralled form there. I think it was triggered by a cold virus and allergies simultaneously that the ENT consultant said was probably caused damaged olfactory receptors.

It's awful and distressing as you think you are going Crazy! I would spend much time with shirt over my nose so I couldn't smell. It's so bizarre and doesn't really make sense.

The GP referred me but I paid to go private (same clinician same hospital just no wait).

Since covid it's changed and now I have parasomnia as well which is incorrect smells so onions smells of chemicals and coffee smells of chemicals and onions and occasionally everything smells of bleach. It's infuriating!

Get a good smoke and co2 alarm as you become desensitised to smells.

Just be glad it's not the rotting corpse edition. Envy

Original poster
deflatedbirthday · 09/03/2022 20:45

@cherrypiepie blimey!! That sounds horrendous. I've always had poor sinuses due to allergies but I've never had this smell before.

Like I say it's not unpleasant but it is driving me mad. I feel like I can taste it! It's like smelling a scented candle constantly for an extended period of time. A smell no one else can smell is giving me headache!

It's driving me crackers. I'm sniffing everything in the hope that's what I can smell but of course it's not, I can smell this almost anywhere but it's definitely worse at home.

DP thinks it's subconscious stress. We get married next month and I have been very overly invested in the Ukrainian crisis. In fact this all started just after the invasion while I was watching sky news!

OP posts:
cherrypiepie · 10/03/2022 00:40

I had bad sinuses too for many years. Thankfully It's not continuous for me I go through phases then occasionally come on suddenly often when sat in the car even when it was brand new. Or at home which makes me think it's dust. Or on a particularly hayfevery day. Could last several days or weeks in waves or just a few minutes.

I also got a nasal rinse thing from Amazon (called water pulse) to remove particulates from my nose just in case they were irritants and its a surprisingly pleasant thing to do (even though t he thought was horrendous)

I have a nasal spray and fexofenadine antihistamines. Take a hay fever tablet if you have one!

I do think is physiological for me not psychological. Congratulations on the wedding. The Ukrainian invasion is heartbreaking too.

MarmiteCoriander · 10/03/2022 01:02

I too would have a PCR done. I work in a covid field and have found that with Omicron, LFT's just aren't showing up till down the line and don't seem as reactive as earlier covid variants. Might not be that at all, but I often have people with covid with altered taste and/or smell, or a metallic taste. Not always loss of them completely. Best of luck.

RockinHorseShit · 10/03/2022 01:16

Migraine? You can sometimes gets what's called Silent Migraine too, which is the other symptoms without the headaches, though you mentioned headaches too?

I sometimes get this with migraines, but mostly roses & smoke or occasionally Gorgonzola cheeseConfused & it's weather related, the recent intermittent damp stormy weather where I am, has meant I've had it on & off for weeks at least the changes in air pressure can trigger migraines, could that explain it ?

https://www.healthline.com/health/migraine-hallucinations

Fayekrista · 10/03/2022 01:20

I don't know your age.... but mum had this when she began the menopause. Drove her bonkers trying to figure it out

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