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Does anyone have this? Or have you ever heard of it?
Last week I was laying in bed and smelled some sort of gas leak or something, I sprang up and ran downstairs to smell in the basement but, nothing.
Then, I was driving in my car yesterday and smelled the same thing. Didn't think anything of that occurence either. But, last night I was laying on my couch reading and smelled it again and my bf did not smell anything. I am at my desk and just smelled it again! What is going on??!! Am I seriously losing my mind or what?!
Jenny
I have the same thing, and also thought I was bonkers. Only, I smell ammonia or clorox, ever so slightly, only occasionally, but annoying. If I'm shopping or out somewhere, I don't smell anything, only when I'm quietly reading, or on the computer, etc.
I've asked my husband if I have an odor, and he can't smell anything, so I assume it must be coming from sinuses. So, I started using a Saline solution every AM and every PM, and that seems to help. I'm assuming I have a kind of sinus infection/problem of some sort. This is all vague, I know, but I don't know how to describe this odd sensation any other way.
I've surfed the internet for reasoning behind this unusual nasal self-odor, and mostly, it points to a sinus infection. Having had blood tests periodically, I don't show anything out of the ordinary. I may have to retrieve my NetiPot for a more complete flush if this continues.
FWIW, that happens to me fairly regularly, and if I search for the source of the odor, it disappears. And yes, the scent marker added to gas is one of the odors that I sometimes smell.
I wonder if it may be connected with neurological issues caused by gluten influences on the brain, (IOW, possibly connected with permanent or semi-permanent nerve damage that results in occasional cross-firing of nerve impulses in the brain).
These sensory errors could be the olfactory equivalent of the visual auras seen by some people, especially during certain types of migraines. Have you ever experienced visual auras? I have (without a headache). I also have peripheral neurpathy. Perhaps having one type of sensory irregularity makes us more prone to having others.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I've never had "phantom smells," but I'm a big believer in the saline spray that Galina mentioned. It is cheap $2.99 or so per bottle and has no side effects. It seems to help me with sensitivity to scents issues. I usually pick it up at the grocery store.
People with food sensitivities often seem to have a very sensitive nose. When I was really sick a few years ago i could smell very acutely - my husband called me a drug sniffing dog.
Interesting theory Tex.
Mary Beth
"If you believe it will work out, you'll see opportunities. If you believe it won't you will see obstacles." - Dr. Wayne Dyer
JFR wrote:I have heard that some people have phantom smells as an aura preceding a migraine. It's not something I experience.
Jean
You're so right -- I had forgotten about that.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I hardly ever have headaches. But, I have noticed lately I have random dizzy spells and vertigo that I have never had before. The 'phantom smells' also just started last week. I guess Ill keep an eye on it. All of these strange symptoms aren't too much of a shock anymore unfortunately.
I have a super sensitive nose which annoys others yet at times I have very limited sense of smell. It sure is wierd & can be at the same time. I've given up on trying to figure that one out!
FWIW, the visual auras that I had were not followed by a headache, (as they would be with a traditional migraine). Migraines that feature an aura, but do not include a headache are called acephalgic migraines (or acephalalgic migraines).
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I don't know about "phantom smells", but I am extremely sensitive to all smells (as far as I know, real ones). If food I'm about to eat does not smell good to me, I simply cannot eat it.
Various odors have the ability to make me nauseous :(. During my pregnancy, the innocent smell of boiling rice sent me directly to the bathroom (to vomit). I would also vomit when walking down the street and being accosted by odors wafting out from restaurants. Not being able to control this was extremely embarrassing - people probably thought I was a drunk or drug addict :).
I also frequently experience aura migraines - this is something that started after my MC diagnosis, and has actually gotten worse as time goes by. Fortunately, I don't get the headaches - only the auras. It seems to me that they happen due to visual stimuli, such as flickering lights, etc.
Love,
Kari
"My mouth waters whenever I pass a bakery shop and sniff the aroma of fresh bread, but I am also grateful simply to be alive and sniffing." Dr. Bernstein
Kari - Although my reactions are not as extreme as yours (no vomiting), I am also extremely sensitive to odors. Many give me instant headaches and nausea. The smell of chicken is one that makes me slightly nauseous and I wasn't surprised to just find out that chicken is one of those things that I am sensitive to. I also have had the visual auras of migraines without the headache, flashing lights in the periphery of my vision, although not often. It's all so weird.
Shirley. Mown grass and watermellon? That sound delightful!
I have noticed that I get nauseous with the smell of ground beef. I will have to do some research on the auras and see if I have been or have experiencing them.
Thanks guys for all your input!
Jenny
Jenny, I used to object to a ground beef smell when I was still buying it from the supermarket. I'm thinking it was probably the additives (pink slime, etc). I don't notice it with my grass fed beef.
Visit the Microscopic Colitis Foundation Website
And yes, the scent marker added to gas is one of the odors that I sometimes smell.
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