Headache and Migraines Forum - Smell smoke all the time

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Q: Smell smoke all the time

asked by: DoctorQuestion on February 8th, 2008

I have had left ear pain for six months, with dizziness when lying down that developed into a headache on the left side and sharp pain in left eye, and my ear feels "full". The ear shows no sign of infection. I thought it might be wax, but the ear is clear. The neurologist took blood to see if anything would indicate Temporal Arteritis but it was negative. I take Ultram for joint pain and Tylenol or Motrin with it for the headache and it helps for a few hours, and is then back. I also smell smoke all the time and no one else does. No matter where I am, I smell it. I am due to go back to the neurologist for a follow up next month. I don't know if I should see him again or see an ENT. In the meantime, I still have a headache.

Replies(1)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on February 11th, 2008

Headache, Migraines, Sinus Conditions Answer A3649

False smells or olfactory hallucinations combined with a headache could be due to chronic sinusitis (caused by a deviated nasal septum) or maybe to a much more serious neurological disorder such as partial epilepsy or a brain tumor. You can ask for an expert opinion from both an ENT-specialist and neurologist. A CT-scan and MRI of the head might be requested in order to precisely diagnose the condition.

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