Shit… this is bad isn’t it?

[AJT43]

A few months ago I smelt burning on and off for a few days; I was about to see the GP about it and it just stopped.
Fast forward I’ve had it a few times since but it passed quickly.
The last 3 or so days I’ve been smelling burning and foul smells on and off. Then this morning I woke up with a terrible headache at the back of my head.
I plan on calling the GP first thing on Monday morning but I am honestly so scared. Google tells me the bleakest thing. I’m 31 years old with 2 small children and I’m just terrified.

I could once smell burning during a panic attack. There was no burning smell but I could absolutely smell it.

Are you at menopausal age? I only ask as one of the (millions!) of symptoms can be smelling things burning. I've had that myself. Definitely talk to your doctor though.

I have this sometimes ever since having covid. Pain at the back of your head is probably tension. Get someone to give you a neck rub.
Also use a nasal rinse with salt.
But it's good you're seeing a GP.

Good luck @AJT43 . I know what it's like to worry about your health.

My dad had this, the poo smell. Was a sinus issue. Lasted months but then did go away, don’t panic!

I’ve had this since the end of 2020 when I had my first dose of Covid. You may have had a virus.

I get this frequently and have been told it’s nothing to worry about! I used to smell cigarette smoke 🤢 but now it’s like woodburner smell so more pleasant! I have chronic rhinitis and it’s connected to that and as long as I keep up my nasal sprays it’s usually ok.
https://apps.nhslothian.scot/refhelp/guidelines/neurology/phantosmia/#:~:text=Most%20people%20with%20phantosmia%20report,Sometimes%20it%20can%20be%20persistent.&text=Smells%20are%20typically%20of%20something,foul%20but%20can%20be%20pleasant.

Probably you have or had Covid. Had it for months each time I’ve had Covid. Nothing at all to worry about but really annoying!

The Consultant I used to work with had a couple of sayings he drummed into his students, "The sound of hooves is more likely to be horses than zebras, as common things commonly occur." and "You don't find much rocking horse shit in a nursery." So what I am trying to say, is do not google, it will not help, it is much more likely to be something simple rather than a tumour.

We spend a lot of our lives fearing the worst, rather than just enjoying the day... if you spent the next 48 hrs worrying, will it make a difference, will it improve your outcome when you are seen, no, it will not. So instead do something you enjoy with your kids and deal with this on Monday when you go to the GP... And log off Mumsnet for a few days.

OP of course your going to be worried, as these symptoms can sometimes point to something serious. Lots of people would feel the same and be worried too.

I have had this happen twice, the first time with a huge bunch of other symptoms and I was sent for a brain scan.
Everything serious was ruled out, and it was concluded to be anxiety/stress related.

It's happened again since, with other symptoms but because of my history, my GP did a general blood test and found my vitamin levels off.

So you are 100% right to get medical advice and I do really understand that feeling, and losing your friend so suddenly will definitely trigger that panic. I'm really sorry for your loss and I hope that your fears are unfounded, and you get a diagnosis of stress too (instead of anything serious).

Are you stressed? How's your mental health been lately? Any viruses? COVID send my smelly weird for ages too and you can have it without obvious symptoms so it could really be a simple thing.

Ah OP, don't Google. A few weeks ago Google absolutely assured me I had cancer and wasn't long for this world. I had significant unexplained weight loss, palpitations digestive issues and a lump on my throat.

Its not cancer. Its a nodule causing my thyroid to be overactive and its perfectly treatable.

Do go to the doctor. But don't let Google convince you its the worst possible thing before any investigations x

I regularly get smells that only I can smell, look up phantosmia. My dad died from a brain tumour at 62 (I’m 57) GP sent me for a MRI and I’m absolutely fine. Not telling you this to worry you just to say I understand your concern but it’s FAR more likely to be nothing. But I get your worry. I’m sure the GP will be able to eliminate anything sinister

Definitely get it checked but as someone who has recently had a benign brain tumour removed, when I’ve experienced what I call farmyard smells it’s always been my sinuses

How long ago was the stroke? I had 2 years ago and still can't speak or walk properly. No smell of burning though!

I had cigarette smoke in my nose for months a few years ago. It's vile. The only place I couldn't smell was under my duvet!

It went on and off for about 6 months. GP put it down to a sinus issue.

I've been smelling rotting meat/eggs now when I bend down or move my head in a certain way. It's sinusitis. Horrible but not ultimately life threatening. Please don't worry. Just see the GP and stop googling! X

It’s possible it could be a brain tumour, but it’s more probable it is related to something else. Smelling a strange smell can be caused by migraines, sinus infections, medications, dental abscess, covid or allergies. These are all far more common than a serious neurological cause such as a brain tumour. Phantosmia can also be a symptom of anxiety so it may be that your anxiety around the possibility of a brain tumour is causing you to keep hallucinating the smells.

Every time I've had something similar it's been a sinus infection. Always the smell and headache.

My sense of smell has been horrific since having Covid in 2021. Took nearly a year for my sense of smell to return, and DH has literally nearly killed me the amount of times I've woken him up at 3am telling him I can smell burning it's either a burning plastic smell, or bonfire sort of smoke and it's usually worse at night. I'm just used to it now tbh and have stopped getting up and checking every room in the house....

The weather forecast suggests that the wind's coming from a less usual direction pretty much across the entire country.

1. wind blowing from the direction of a sewage farm
2. livestock
3. compost for a bit of spring gardening
4. somebody burning some building materials and a bit of plastic/creosoted old wood
5. hay fever
6. warm weather increasing smells, airborne pollution, more traffic, gardening materials
7. warm weather dehydration
8. forgetting to turn the heating off or leaving window closed/leaving window open for smells to get in
9. somebody still running their woodburner because it's nice in the day and freezing at night (or on Monday, looked nice but still absolutely freezing out of direct sunshine)
10. crappy night's sleep due to slightly swollen nose membranes
11. not done any spring cleaning yet so everything's still dusty
12. neighbour having a few sneaky cigarettes within drifting distance of your house
13. yet another spate of covid going round
14. knackered pillow full of dustmite poo and no support for your neck

A selection of those adds up to unpleasant smells and a headache in the morning.

I can smell glue now. Wish I'd not googled!

OP, go get checked out to help put your mind at risk, but please try not to worry too much at this point and quit the googling. I've had a fair amount of trauma in my life related to people dying suddenly, and what this has resulted in is a huge tendency for my mind to automatically go to the worst case scenario when anything concerns me.

You have suffered a terrible loss of your best friend - I am so sorry - but headaches and weird smells are far, far more likely to be symptoms of sinus infections or covid (there seems to be a lot around at the moment) than they are of a brain tumour at your age....

What you DO (entirely understandably) have is anxiety, which has been triggered by the awful loss of your friend. You might want to think about therapy at some point to help give you some coping strategies...I did this before my kids were born because I KNEW I would find it hard not to worry terribly about their health and safety all the time! I can't say I am entirely 'fixed' - and actually, one of my (now teenager) DC does have a health condition which causes me a lot of worry - but I am better able to cope than I would be, had I not addressed this. xx

I smelled cigarette sm9ke off and on for a few months and it went away. If your worried about a brain tumor, go to the DR. No matter what, if you have a tumor, that's the only action to take. Googlung will not cure the tumor.

Op I had this when I had Covid. Burning smells and severe headaches. I thought one of the kids had tried to make toast and burnt it. My headaches were so severe, I was downing paracetamols like they were haribos. Try not to worry.

Do you feel sick in the mornings? And is the headache worse when you drop your head down? Is there dizziness? I’d certainly get yourself checked out. It’s very likely nothing sinister but the olfactory symptoms are concerning

It's most likely a migraine aura so try not to worry. I can get this without the actual migraine or for a few days before an attack. I smell cigar smoke really strongly.