Thanks, Deedee 1309, for another great suggestion. I don’t think I get aspartame in anything. I don’t add sugar to anything, and I only occasionally add Splenda to some kinds of teac. Splenda’s ingredients are dextrose, maltodextrin, and sucralose. I know that I have not experienced The Smell when I have taken it, at least most of the time. In the future, I will see if The Smell is preceded by my taking Splenda with my ttea. Thanks.

Please, please please stop taking Splenda. For one day remove Splenda from your diet and you will see the symptom almost disappear.

Have any of you ever considered that the chemically made sweetners like "sucralose" that is found in Splenda and "aspartame" that is in Equal and NutraSweet are the very root of our problems. What I am trying to get you to consider is that they are the very root of the problem which has caused these other problems you are now experiencing that could possibly be coming from diseases that the neuro toxins have caused. Basically, when taken over a long period of time they cause nerve damage. I am sure most of you have done your research and have found this out. We are all mainly experiencing the same problems, which is giving us all a sense of relief that there is someone going through the same thing. I know that I especially get relief when I read the comments of someone who has been going through this for several years. It kind of lets me know that I won't be dying from this over the next few mohths. However, let's get real for a moment. In doing my research in how to live a more healthier life, I no longer feel safe when something says "FDA Approved". I have learned that there are doctors telling people who may not have a depression problem, but similar symptoms, that they may be depressed just to prescribe a new medicine out in the market. I hate to say it but I no longer feel safe with doctors because they are all one big family (FDA, doctors, pharmacists, companies). This is very, very sad to me.

I have read most of your emails and almost everyone of us after going to the doctor was given a brain cat scan, not an MRI with contrast first but a brain cat scan, a neurological test and diagnosed with some type of sinnusitis or allergy problem and given prescription drugs for the problem. I wonder how much money would be lost if they no longer had to treat people with aspartame and other chemical sweeetner rooted problems. Notice how we are all diagnosed with some type of allergy-related problem. This is unacceptabe. I can honestly say that because this smell comes and goes when it wants it has me thinking it has caused some type of neurological disorder and this is what is very annoying to me.

Doctors do not get to the root of the problem. They make much more monies treating your symptoms. I could not wait to share my findings with you all. I ask you to please, please, please do your research and go to Dr. Janet Starr Hull's website. She is the only doctor I reallyt trust right now. She suffered with the problem first hand and is trying to warn everyone about it as I am now trying to do.

If you really want to learn what you have, find someone (doctor) who will do the hair test which she does and find out exactly what is causing your problem. This is what I will be doing. Whenever I do it and receive the results, I will share them with you. Please keep in mind that aspartame and sucralose are in drinks, medicines and processed foods.

Be Well.

I have noticed that in a lot of the posts about this annoying problem that people have had the problem for a short period of time and have chalked it up to a sinus infection or allergies of some kind. Taking a Z-Pak will take care of just about any type of infection and will make you feel better even if you aren't really sick. I have had the smelling smoke problem for about 4 years now and the doctors still look at me like I'm nuts when I tell them about it. I have noticed in the last couple of years that the smell has been very apparent during times of stress. I have been fighting depression for a few years now and have noticed that when I am feeling depressed or stressed out that is when I smell the smoke the most severely. I smell it so bad that my eyes water and burn, my nose burns, my lungs hurt, and I actually end up coughing sometimes. I have been to numerous doctors and they tell me that basically it is my imagination. I have been to psychiatrists and have been put on antidepressants in hopes that it would help but it didn't. I still smell it. This will go on for a few weeks and then go away and come back. As I said, it has been an ongoing issue with me for years.

Like ALL of you I am glad I am not crazy. It has only been a week. I went to a concert at a casino (very smokey one) and ever since then it is constant.

It feels like there is smoke in my nasal passages in my sinuses and in front of my face. It even makes my eyes water - and it is downright disgusting.

I did read in a post along the string of posts about eye twitching and headaches. I have had both of those symptoms too lately.

I am going to read more and see what else i can find.

We should all try and list symptoms and perhaps diet and lifestyle in our posts to see if there is any correlation.

So I will start:

- What I smell is cigarette smoke
- I am Vegetarian 9 1/2 years - recently vegan for 6 months (my diet is ultra healthy lots of fruits, whole grains etc - I originally thought it was a detox - still could be)
- I don't smoke - never around smokers - rarely drink (however my parents both smoked - so I was around it as a child until I was 18. In fact it has been said that my mom smoked when she was pregnant with me.)
- I live in beautiful farm country in Northern CA
- 34 yrs old
- I use only botanicals for hair, face etc.
- I don't eat processed foods, sodas etc.
- I feel normal and healthy otherwise and have had no medical problems in my life.

Hope that helps. Maybe future posts can follow this and we can see if there are any similarities.

Here's to finding out how to fix it.

In addition to my post above - I went through to read other posts... I think is important to mention

I have not had a cold, nor have I taken any antibiotics for more than 8 years.

So I am wondering if this really has anything to do with sinus or any kind of infection...I am not so sure it does. It seems those who are treated, it doesn't really work for them.

So don't rush for the anti-biotics. (they are so awful for you) Let's put our heads together to figure this out.

I'm yet another person who's been smelling smoke. It lasts from a few days to 2 weeks at a time. I've been suffering this annoying symptom for just about a year now. Here's my info. Maybe we can find a common link:

• The smoke smells like cigarette smoke - my eyes also burn
• I suffer from chronic post-nasal drip, due to mild allergies (I have a slight cat allergy, which is compounded since I share my home with several cats - I also have mild seasonal allergies)
• Possible trigger - drinking red wine? I've noticed on a few occasions when the smoke smell appears, I had a glass of red wine the previous night.
• I live in the NY/NJ metro area.
• This is the strangest thing I've observed...when I cup my hands in front of my nose/mouth and breathe in, the smell goes away temporarily. Very odd.
• I'm also a vegetarian - not a vegan, I eat dairy and eggs.

Let's hope we can figure this out. My doctor made me feel like I was crazy when I mentioned this to him. My sister is also a doctor, a pediatrician, and she's never heard of such a symptom. Obviously this is for real.

That's pretty much what I experienced starting about 3 weeks ago!

I've been wondering if I'm losing the plot and also remembering a line from the TV show Lost where there is a reference made to Sawyer about smelling wood smoke and the connection to brain tumours.

I recently had a good friend pass away from a brain tumour and that is a hideous way to exit the planet.

For me (as per M_egan above) I seem to "notice" the smoke smell more when I'm sitting near computer equipment and the other location is sitting down watch a movie or the TV on the couch!

My GF is a nurse and I explained the problem to her but she seemed more concerend with the smoke that she couldn't smell!

I've also experienced a feeling of dry eyes and nippyness too on occasion.
Something that is a new experience for me...

I've never had anything like this before and I'm putting it down to some sort of viral infection that is exhibiting itself in this fashion.

I do suffer from Hay Fever/Pollen allergies so this could be a factor but I only get that during the summer months and it's certainly not summer right now.

Thats the only ailment that I have and I'm totally healthy otherwise with text book blood pressure, regularly work out, eat good food etc etc.

I keep thinking that perhaps tomorrow I'll get a cold and it'll all go away...

I have been smelling it for quite some time. Sometimes I do not even want to breathe in fully it is so strong. I can't remember when it started even, but I think it was right after my shoulder surgery approximately a year ago. And I was on heavy narcotics for 2 weeks after and then sleeping pills for a month. We had a heavy smoker in the apt next door also & we could sometimes smell his smoke... but that was once in a while & the whole few years we lived there. We have moved months ago & I still smell smoke.

If someone has been following this thead real close, how about maybe a point form list of what this could be. Looks to me like it is still up in the air. I can't stand this reak of smoke. No one smoke around us & neither my wife nor I smoke..... and she never smells it...

After my surgery I still am not able to work out & exercise fully. I was avid bodybuilder & it is frustrating. I have gained 20lbs of fat, too. Maybe my stress & depression has something to do with it? I will feel better & see if that works

Maybe I should see my doctor about this?

Thanx for any ongoing help....

JD

I am glad that im not alone in this I never really looked it up until now but ive smelled smoke on and off for a couple years. My eyes also water when it comes and i sometimes get a really bad headache afterwards. Ive been reading other posts and my symptoms dont seem to last as long as others. Usually only a few minutes at a time. Since ive now read that it can be caused by brain tumors... i hope to get it checked out right away.

Ive never smoked, nor have i ever lived with a smoker. I am only 19 and am in good shape so i hope it is nothing serious. I am not on any medication so that cant be what is causing it, nor do i really have allergies.

I was surprised at how common this seems to be, and i appreciate people talking about it.

mine started nearly a week ago, have posted here about it:

http://ehealthforum.com/health/topic7299.h tml

On November 18, 2007 I fell hit my head of some ice, lost consciousness and later found out that I had lost my sense of smell. About a week or so ago I started smelling smoke. I constantly smell it 24/7 and it too is very bothersome. I have no other sense of smell except for this wood burning smoke smell. I have an appointment with a neurologist in the new year and hopefully will get some sort of treatment to eliminate the smoke smell. I would rather have no smell at all than the constant smell of smoke.

I should also mention, prior to realizing that I had no sense of smell, I had x-rays on my head, neck and sinuses. I have also had a CT scan on my head and neck and all are negative.

(I have other concussion symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, ringing in my ears and some loss of concentration).

I have seen a few people that have hit their heads and had this "smoke smell" curse. Has anyone been successfully treated for their symptoms?

I will post when I have results from the neurologist.

I too am glad to have found this forum. I just figured I was having some weird side effect from my concussion.

Well I went back to the doctor on Monday and she sent me of for a CT scan for my brain and sinuses. Called for the results today. Everything okay. No tumour, nothing to show sinusitis. She was a bit stumped, asked me again if I'd had a skull injury. I said no. Should I go to an ENT? And she said give it a little more time, maybe a month. So I'm no clearer as to what is wrong. I still think there is something wrong with my sinuses, even if the scan didn't show it.

I wake up every day with blocked sinuses and when I blow, this is gross, I always have yellow stuff like when I have a cold. That's not normal. It's frustrating because this afternoon I went to the shops and I had two incidents of a huge whiff of smoke. It's disgusting. But at least anything nasty, like a tumour has been ruled out.

I too smell smoke intermittently, when there is no one smoking. I notice that it is either the smoke smell or "ringing in the ears," but not both at the same time. My mother said when she was in her fifties, she also had the problem and went to an ENT. He found nothing, however, eventually she lost her sense of smell. So I believe it's one of those conditions that is a signal or sympton of losing one's sense of smell.

I don't think I have a sinus infection. I'm a non-smoker and live alone. As I sit at my desk at work I am noticing the strong smell of cigarette smoke and while I'm at home at the computer. It smells like I'm in the middle of a bar or club full of smokers.

I did read one thing that may have something to do with me personally; which was the use of sweeteners and or stress. I'm not stressed out but my body may be reacting to things that are on my mind. I use equal in my 3 cups of coffee per day.

I will also follow up with my physician.

At first I thought it was the person near me, then it went away, then I thought it was me...I smelled myself and no the cigarette smell was not in me. I kept asking people around me, do you smell cigarettes...no..So I decided to go on line.
I dont have a cold, I have been smelling cigarette smoke for a week now..Maybe
this means I am getting a sinuses infection??

I too am having the same problems with smelling smoke primarily or else perfume. I am doctoring now but I think he thinks this is craziness. Does it ever go and stay away.

I posted my 2 cents worth about 7 months ago on this smoke smell that doesn't go away...and I wanted to provide an update...

Unfortunately, I have not found the cause of the smell. However, the smell is gone. The bad news is that it comes back for about 2 to 3 days whenever I happen to be near a place or someone that smokes. So long as I am away from cigarette smoke, I don't get the trigger that keeps in my system.

It is possible that some antibiotics I took (for ulcer/stomach) got rid of the 24/7 annoyance of the smell. Because soon after I stopped my 10 day treatment the smell was gone for about 3 months. In only returns typically in the evenings for a few minutes--but only about once a week. It only really returns nasty if I hang around a smker's lair.

Good luck to all.

I have noticed this smoke smell off and on for a couple of weeks. I've read most of the posts. Some have some interesting ideas. I will definitely try the z-pack antibiotics and the corticosteriod nasal spray.

I like the idea about the mold or fungus being a possible cause. I had developed sjogrens auto immune disease from black mold that had gotten into my house. I removed the walls, cloroxed everything, and then rebuilt. It took quite a few months for the symptoms to slowly dissipate. I still have to use a humidifier at night to sleep but the dry eyes, dry mouth, dry sinuses, and so forth are pretty much done. The doctors had no idea, one even prescribed xanax since he thought it was all in my head. If he knew me he would know that I don't suffer from imaginary illnesses. I usually endure everything quite well and thrive on stress. Anyway, the ANA test and Schirmer's test showed that I had sjogrens and I had every symptom. I put togather a binder and printed out the sjogrens website info, pasted in all the OTC meds that I used on the symptoms, and then we put in the test info. He finally prescribed medications for sjogrens (which there are only meds for two of the six symptoms). All this to say that you have to do your own research if you think you have something that is uncommon. In fact the doctors may call you crazy and prescribe xanax (which happened once). I wish there was a way to see what ranking they graduated from med school. Apparently, I've gotten the lazy ones at the bottom of the class. If you don't have something common, they ignore you since they've only got 3 minutes and have to go onto the next person. I even had another doctor yell at me for bringing up symptoms that I didn't mention to the appointment nurse. He didn't allocate enough time to deal with me. I could make another appointment if I wanted to cover those additional symptoms. Not sure what they are teaching at med school but its not researching symptoms until they find what you have. Anyway, you get my frustration with the medical community. I even went to ENT's and pulmonologists. I asked them if mold could cause this and they all said no. Terns out they were wrong. I had my own suspicions and ran with that until I found the mold. I eliminated it and my symptoms eventually subsided. I did everything on the mold websites from eliminating the cause (water infiltration), tearing out the areas infected, treating with clorox, then rebuilding, and particulate removal (giant fans to air out mold spores). The doctors didn't know what I had and were wrong (or clueless) about its cause once they did acknowledge the ailment.

I researched some information on fungus and natural remedies. Oil of Oregano, the wild mediterranean version, is the only thing that I've seen that says it combats fungal infections naturally. They sell it at most health stores and you can get it online. Haven't tried that yet. I'll try that if the antibiotics and corticosteriod sprays don't work for me. From what I've read, the few prescription anti fungals are very risky to your health and are for the very worst cases of fungal infections that have been proven by lab tests.

I don't see the brain tumor as being the cause if the antibiotics work. Otherwise brain tumors would be cured by antibiotics. Just my opinion though. There certainly can be those where its caused by a brain tumor. You might research the odds to see if its likely. I'm going with something else since I can test if it goes away by antibiotics. If it doesn't then move onto one or two other things to test then go to a neurologist if all else fails.

I haven't had any artificial sweeteners so that can't be the cause in my case. I only drink water, I don't smoke or drink. I do indulge in deserts but usually eat healthy except for that.

Just curious, has anyone tried the antibiotics and nasal sprays and not had it work or only had it work for a while?

Don't worry, your not crazy. We just haven't found the answer yet.

I found this article in the NY Times about phontosmia. Its a long url so it wraps on this input box. You might have to paste it into your browser and take out the space that this box puts after the question mark in order to get directly to the page.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html ?res=9C02E1D61239F931A15755C0A9629C8B63

It lists several possible causes. It can be caused by a specific incident or trauma like an accident causing damage in the region of the nerves that carry smell, a viral infection affecting these neurons, a sinus infection or an allergy that inflames tissues around the nerves. It could also be a brain tumor called a meningeoma, which usually occurs just above a bone separating the brain and the nose; certain kinds of epilepsy; and thyroid problems.

From that article, I'm assuming that anything that causes inflamation or damage to the neurons for smell can cause the phantom smells. With that in mind, it can be a number of things so I might as well start with the easiest to eliminate first. I've started the z-pack and corticosteriod nasal spray last night. I'll post my results after about two weeks.

I went thru the 5 day 250mg azithromycin (z-pack) antibiotic treatment. That was 2 pills on the first day and then 1 pill for 4 days afterwards. I also used the prescription nasacort nasal spray in the AM and PM for each day. This worked pretty well so far. This is the 6th day. I only had a few times during the week that I smelled smoke. I haven't smelled any at all for two days. I'll report back how long this lasts. I'm also using a neti pot with a salt solution to rinse my nasal passages. I tried the salt water rinse before the anti-biotics. So in my case it didn't get rid of the smoke smell. It just makes my sinuses feel a lot better and they say it helps prevent sinus infections.

Thank God for everyone on this website! I thought I was going crazy too. I am a non-smoker and I have been smelling cigarette smoke for almost 3 weeks following a bad cold. In addition to that, I periodically lose my taste especially after I first begin to eat. I have not seen a doctor yet but I found a website that associated these symptoms with the onset of a stroke which scares the heck out of me. I have never had allergies or asthma of any kind.

Guess I'm off to the doctor...

Does anyone have loss of taste associated with this symptom?