Joined: 17 Mar 2008 Posts: 1 Location: Andover, MA
I'm not crazy!! Posted: 03-17-08 18:31pm
I am so relieved to see that I am not the
only person who has this problem!! I am
30 years old. I have my issues but I'm in
relatively decent health.
I first had the constant cigarette smell
when I was a kid in third grade. I was on
my way from the bathroom back to class and
I went by the janitor's room where they
were all sitting around smoking. The
smell lingered with me for days
afterwards! It was bad enough that I
still remember it 22 years later!! After
that, I have gotten that smell stuck in my
nose on and off over the years. I never
noticed it between the ages of 15 and 27
at which time I myself was a smoker. Now,
ever since I quit, I have become very
sensitive to cigarette smoke and if I am
exposed to it for any length of time, it's
like the smell gets stuck in my nose for
days. Odd thing is that I don't really
notice when I'm inhaling. It's only when
I'm exhaling. It's so bizarre.
Anyways, this past weekend I was in
Pennsylvania visiting a friend (who is a
smoker) and we went out to a bar on
Saturday night. It was so disgusting!
Everyone was smoking and I only stayed
about an hour and a half because I just
couldn't stand it. I would have insisted
on leaving sooner but I didn't want to be
rude. The smell has been stuck in my nose
ever since!!
I have to say, I have had other smells get
stuck in my nose on and off for my entire
life. When I was really little (like 6 or
7) I got the smell of pork fried rice
stuck in my nose after eating chinese food
and still can't eat it to this day!! And
in 5th grade, I got a duck tape smell
stuck in my nose for weeks after hanging
up posters for one of my teachers.
The difference this time with the
cigarette smell is that it is making my
eyes burn and I have a raging headache.
That's never happened before but it is
making me miserable. I do feel better
knowing that I'm not alone, though!!
|
moonphaz
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 2
Hi Again - update Posted: 03-25-08 12:40pm
I have been going to an acupuncturist
& spoke with my allergist. He had me
use the neti pot, 2 sprays of Afrin &
2 sprays of Flonase twice a day - I am to
do this for 5 days. I am not completely
over the smoke smell, but it is less &
less & today I have not seemed to have
it at all. I do not know if it is the
acupuncture or if it is the treatment from
the allergist or a combination of both,
but I am feeling better & things smell
a lot better!! You might try this to see
if it helps you.
Good luck - I will update you if things
change.
|
2anche
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 Mar 2008 Posts: 1
Newbie with that horrible smell Posted: 03-30-08 06:51am
I was sitting here at my computer thinking
how do I google smelling smoke all the
time?? and I found this forum!!!!!!!
I haven't had the sinus problems that most
others seem to have had.
However mine seemed to have started with a
very severe cough that lasted for 3
months and after 60 days of steroids I
seem to have gotten rid of, it them turned
into losing my voice (I havent had a
normal voice for 9 weeks now) in amongst
all this I kept getting the smell of smoke
(to me it smells like something electrical
is burning) as I do smoke (minimal) I know
that it not a cig smell.
I am off to a ENT in the very near future
due to my lack of voice, so I will make a
point of asking about the smell and the
headaches that accompany it.
I will post back here if I get any news on
what it maybe or what may cause it.
Cheers Riley James
|
jhong
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 Mar 2008 Posts: 1
I smell it too Posted: 03-30-08 20:22pm
I have hed this issue for just under a
year. I do not smoke, but my husband
does. He does not smoke in the home or
the car though. I smell it everywhere.
In the car, at work, in the open
fields...pretty much everywhere I go. I
had an episode about 8 months ago for
several weeks, and now I am having it
again. It is so bad now, that I get the
lightheaded feeling associated with the
smell. I too have had sinus problems and
bronchitis. Perhaps that is where this
whols thing lies. I plan to make an
appointment to see a docor soon, but it
seems like there is nothing to convince
them there is a problem. Last time I
mentioned it, the doc told me NOTHING. He
said it was associated with anxiety???
Anyway...sorry to hear so many people are
suffering, but hopefully in numbers we can
get something done about it.
|
Tattoo
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 1
I smell cigarette smoke constantly..... Posted: 04-09-08 00:08am
A couple of weeks ago I started smelling
cigarette smoke also. It's so strange. My
doctor has requested a sinus x-ray. I
don't smoke nor do I go anywhere where
there is smoke. It's stiffling and I spray
Febreeze everywhere. How long does it
last and will it come back if it goes
away?
|
ddavey13
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 09 Apr 2008 Posts: 1
Posted: 04-09-08 17:40pm
I'm 26 years old and have a bad history of
sinus problems. Over the past three
months i have periodically been receiving
a weird smell but not like cigarette's it
is like a smell of nothing it comes and
goes every other day for 30 mins to
anywhere to 2hours and then i regain
smell. I just hate it, it makes me feel
like I'm going crazy and something serious
might really be wrong but I have no
insurance so if anyone hears anything keep
me updated thanks.
|
darklady_ev
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 11 Apr 2008 Posts: 1
It's not only me... Posted: 04-11-08 03:16am
Wow. I'm shocked. I've been smelling
cigarette smoke for the past 7 seven hours
and now I decided to google it! And I see
this. I have had this ever since I moved
in my current house 7 years ago. Mines
sometimes goes away for long periods of
times but lately I've been getting it
again! And I thought I was crazy! I can't
believe I never looked it up. I had no
idea it was this common! At some point
when I was 10 or 11 years old I had a
wacky thought that there were ghost who
were smokers in life and I was smelling
them right beside me. Yeah, I'm weird. I
also have sinus problems, it's hay fever
and I just started taking reactine because
the summer is getting closer. I do it
every year and now I'm smelling this
again. It often causes me a sort of
headache. Not like your regular headache,
more like a someone is sticking a pole
through a section of your head. I hope
there'll be some news and updates on this.
|
poofie
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 11 Apr 2008 Posts: 1
smelling smoke Posted: 04-11-08 19:58pm
I too smell something. It don't smell like
smoke, it smells like electronics burning
or maybe a burned out old radio. Have any
of you ever smelled anything like that?
My eyes also burn regularly even though I
might not smell the other odor. I smoke
so I don't smell the smoke. I have a small
allergery problem but not something that I
take medicine for every day. The thing
is, I have smelled this odor since I was a
teenager and now I am 59. It comes and
goes and I might go several weeks before I
smell it again. It nearly drives me nuts!!
I have never told anyone about this and I
thought I would check out google just to
see if I could find something and Wa-La,
here you guys are talking about smelling
things. Thanks to all of you, because I
thought I was crazy.
|
cybergal55
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 12 Apr 2008 Posts: 1
Wow, I too smell the stale smell of smoke lately ....... Posted: 04-12-08 19:28pm
I smell that stale smell of cigarette
smoke lately too. It is very strange. I
live in Bellingham MA and out of the blue
I smell the odor. I live in a house where
no one smokes and am not exposed to
smokers. I recalled that I believe a
symptom of brain tumor or cancer might be
smelling strange odors. I unfortunatley
was 'laid off in August' and only have an
inexpensive insurance to tide me over or I
would go to the doctor to have some tests
done. I am smelling other strange odors
too, like a barbecue smell (barbecue sauce
- that would come from grilling) - it
comes out of the blue these smells. Let
me know if someone comes up with an
explanation. I do have a Netti pot and
will try that. I sure hope it is not
something environmental - that recently
something has been omitted into the air or
something.....but if someone hears
something let us know.
|
opalescence
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 Apr 2008 Posts: 2
Hi! Posted: 04-15-08 15:19pm
I can't believe I found this forum, but am
very relieved. I just got over bronchitis
and sinusitis. It took three weeks and
two different antibiotics, plus
prednisone, to get well. I have asthma
and allergies.
As soon as I thought I could breathe and
taste again, lo and behold, I noticed that
I was smelling stale cigarette smoke quite
often during the day. In each instance, I
was nowhere near smoke or smokers. I am
also still suffering from a sinus headache
that began with the sinusitis.
I got kind of scared when I saw Ghost
Whisperer the other night. I think the
guy ghost said that he was diagnosed with
an aneurysm and one of his first symptoms
was that he smelled smoke all the time.
So, I know that I need to see my doctor to
rule out very serious things like a brain
tumor, but it was nice to see others going
through the same thing who have just
gotten over sinus problems or bronchitis.
That is a very common thread running
through most of our stories and it makes
me feel a bit better.
So, thank you for sharing. I will check
out all of these pages and call my doc. I
am NOT looking forward to going through an
MRI, but I think it's pretty inevitable.
Ugh.
Best of luck to everyone.
|
opalescence
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 Apr 2008 Posts: 2
Have to have a CT scan of my sinuses Posted: 04-15-08 21:11pm
Well, my doc called me back and I have to
have a CT scan of my sinuses. She said
that smelling phantom smoke can be a sign
of seizures involving the olfactory nerve?
::shrugs:: I'll try to report back next
week about what I've learned.
|
dwingjohn
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 1
Smelling cigarettes Posted: 04-20-08 19:25pm
Amazing - a guy can google anything and
find something!!! For, I don't know, a
very long time now, I've smelt cigarette
smoke...I don't smoke, none of my family
does and it's not allowed by anyone in our
home or vehicles. I can be laying in bed
at night, watching TV and all of a sudden
I'll get this nasty whiff that can stay
for several minutes or several days.
Everytime I'm around smoke (which is very
seldom), it's like it imbeds in my sinuses
and I can smell it for days & days.
It's so disturbing cuz I'm allergic to
cigarettes anyways and just hate that
smell. I can be sitting in my office at
work (no smoking building) and swear that
someone is smoking somewhere in the
building. I have gone so far as to case
the place, checking bathrooms and little
closets trying to "catch the culprit who
is breaking the rules". Crazy, I know.
Of course no one else smells it either. I
mentioned it to our psychiatrist the other
day, who is a very brilliant guy by the
way, he said I could be having temporal
lobe seizures. We didn't get further into
this but since I'm not crazy and this
really does happy to many, many people, I
may someday soon investigate it sooner cuz
it drives me crazy. I hate the smell of
cigarette smoke!! Thanks. dkj
|
6254
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 02 May 2008 Posts: 2
cigarrette smell Posted: 05-02-08 01:45am
wow! I have been smelling cigarrette smoke
through out the days. It comes and goes. I
made comments to my family and they say
the cannot smell anything plus no one
smokes here. I thought I was imagine it.
so I went online and found all this
comments. I guess I will look into an ENT.
or ask my sis, she is a physician. I'll
let you all know what comes out.
|
ar832
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 May 2008 Posts: 1
smelling smoke Posted: 05-15-08 08:45am
I also almost constantly smell cigarette
smoke(been going on for a couple of
years), my eyes sting and sometimes water,
get swollen and itchy, I get tired and
sometimes get headaches. I, too, have
mentioned this to my doctor who has
brushed it off. Sometimes I smell
cigarette smoke for days after a time when
I know I have been exposed to it (a couple
of cars ahead of me in line, people
smoking near my closed office window, a
neighbor smoking on their porch), but like
you folks, I also smell it when I know
there's none around (watching TV w/ all
the windows closed, walking in the woods
w/ no smokers w/in miles...) it makes no
sense. This a.m. while on my eliptical
machine watching old episodes of Lost,
Jack (the doctor on the show) was trying
to diagnose Sawyer's headaches and said
that sometimes brain tumors can make
people smell smoke. I googled "smelling
smoke brain tumors" and ended up here. I
am so relieved like many of you, to know
that I'm not alone in this. I have no
answers. I have mentioned it to my
sister/mom/cousins, and they said that
when it happens to them (very seldom) they
think it's our deceased grandmother who
was a chain smoker. Who knows! I can
offer the following: I am allergic to
dairy proteins, and intollerant to wheat.
I have TMJ, used to have migranes all the
time but now only once or twice a year, I
do not smoke nor does my husband. I am
active. I have tried replacing the smell
w/ other smells (smelling coffee grounds,
essential oils, putting perfume and vicks
up my nose, burning candles) nothing
works. I do constantly have a nose full
of buggers winter and summer which annoys
the daylights out of me, and I constantly
have phlegm and am clearing my throat. I
am 40 and was recently diagnosed with
osteoarthritis. Although I was a straight
A student, my cognitive skills have been
all over the charts for the last 5 years
or so. I do not sleep well, but used to
be able to sleep thru a hurricane. I do
not drink caffeine, I rarely drink
alcohol, and I eat well. I am at the
point where I will likely talk to my
natropathic doctor, as my traditional
doctor has provided no guidence.
If anyone comes up with an answer I'll be
forever grateful. I'm going to go find
someone to smell my nose now. Good luck
everyone!
|
ladyfaeuk
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 2
smelling smoke as well Posted: 05-16-08 10:42am
Wow great to find im not alone in this
horrible smell
I have been smelling the smell of smoke on
and off for the past 5 years, when mine
began I had just given up smoking, so
assumed everything in my home smelled of
smoke and even when outside I assumed it
was a side effect of giving up. I cleaned
my home from top to bottom thinking it was
the stale smell of my smoking days to no
avail.
I then moved house to where the previous
occupants also smoked heavily and could
smell it on and off there assuming it was
from when they had smoked.
Ive now been here 5 years and can still
smell it on and off, ive had it this time
for 3 days so far, I smell it outside
anywhere iam wether inside or out, the
only relief is sleep.
Unlike alot of others I have never had
trouble with headaches or sinus problems,
but I do suffer from several illnesses 3
different types of arthritis, bladder
problems, HS, ME, Fibromyalgia to name a
few.
I also have as some have mentioned the
tears buring the eyes thing as well, when
yawning, crying or my eyes watering it
stings like mad and I have to wipe the
tears away to get any relief.
I also have what no one has mentioned so
far occasionally when I eat I get a
tingling in my mouth like a real sharp
bitter sour, sherbet sort of tingling,
doesnt matter what food it is but its
usually only the first mouthful and then
after that its fine.
Im assuming most are in US and as im in UK
I dont inderstand a lot of the meds some
of you are on, but obviously iam also on
alot of meds for my ails, but seeing I
have changed them over the years I dont
think any of them can be the cause.
Will see my gp about this next time I go
but dont have much faith in Drs a bad past
of them but hey what choice do I have
lol.
I hope someone can be able to give some
answers to this horrible smell.
|
nysews
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 1
non stop cigarette smell Posted: 05-16-08 22:31pm
When I Googled "smelling cigarette smoke"
I was shocked to find others in the same
boat! This non stop overwhelming cigarette
odor started with me 24 hours ago. I too,
like others here, thought everything from
that it must be coming from my neighbor
smoking in his yard, to the visiting ghost
of my smoking deceased dad (you know i'm
not alone in that far fetched thought!!),
to it must be neurological. NO one else
around me smells it, and i get a "your
nuts" smirk when I explain to anyone what
i'm experiencing.
All day, at home, at work, on the train,
i've felt like i'm in a very smokey bar. I
find myself covering my nose, as if I can
escape it that way, no such luck.
Healthwise I'm normally a healthy 39 year
old; within the last 2 months have had
bronchitus followed by a strong round of
antibiotics, just like many of the posts
i've read tonight. I've also been fighting
a yeast infection (possibly a side effect
of a super strong antibiotic?) And
occasionally suffer from bad headaches,
but oddly enough do not have one now
considering if i had really smelled this
much smoke i'd have a migrane by now. I
take no prescription matainence meds, but
have taken Aleve for the last two days for
a reoccuring knee injury.
I considered calling my GP today, but just
knew she'd completely act like i'm crazy
(a thought which also crossed my mind in
the last 24 hours).
I'm saddened to see that absolutely no one
on this site seems to have found a
definitve answer to our problem.
HELP!!!
Where's a doctor like the tv character
"Dr. House" when you need them?
|
ladyfaeuk
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 2
Iwill get to the bottom of this Posted: 05-17-08 18:46pm
Ive had this awful stale cigarette smell
this time for nearly a week now and its
driving me mad, ive had this several times
over the past 5 years, but it seems to be
getting worse with each episode. Ive even
been so bad this time its made me cough
and gag like I had just lit a cigarette
for the first time.
I have made a decision to go to my gp this
time, (didnt go before as I thought it was
me or others near me) now I know im not
alone and this could be something serious
like a brain tumour, I will make an
apppointment on Monday and try and get
this sorted once and for all for all of
us, will keep you all updated on progress.
|
luvtooyoo
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 May 2008 Posts: 1
Same problem... Posted: 05-22-08 18:50pm
I too smell smoke BUT I know its not
coming from me. I unlike some of you have
had other people smell it. This may sound
crazy but I like it better than the brain
tumor theroy here goes.... I lost my mom
last year due to bad car wreak. Since
then, I have been smelling cig smoke. Last
week, me and my cousin were in the dining
room talking about here and she ran out of
the room. she said I smell cigarettes. So
next I ran out. lol anyways I take it as
here way of letting me know she is around
still and she did smoke alot! I just wish
she had had a differnent habit, like roses
or baking! So
I know this sounds crazy but hey maybe
they have cigs on the other side or our
angels smoke alot or we are going nuts who
knows.....ahh the cig smell i smell right
now
|
tlsrog
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 May 2008 Posts: 1
I SMELL CIGARETTE SMOKE Posted: 05-22-08 20:29pm
I HAVE BEEN SMELLING CIG. SMOKE FOR 4
MONTHS. I HAVE A FEW OTHER SYMPTOMS LIKE
NIGHT SWEATS, VISION DISTORTION FOR SHORT
PERIODS. I SMELL THIS IN MY HOME. THIS
HOUSE IS BRAND NEW AND NO ONE HAS SMOKED
IN IT. I HAVE ALL NEW FURNITURE ETC. I
NEVER SMELL IT AT WORK. I SOMETIMES SMELL
IT IN THE VEHICLE. IF ANYONE KNOWS WHAT
THIS IS PLEASE HELP. IT REALLY DRIVES ME
CRAZY AND BOTHERS MY THROAT TOO.
TERRY
|
jaimeeg
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 24 May 2008 Posts: 1
Cigarette smoke smells Posted: 05-24-08 09:14am
I started experiencing a cigarette smoke
smell about four years ago. At the time,
I was working as an RN on a neurology
floor of the local hospital. I spoke with
one of the neurologists about the odd
smells, and he recommended I have a
neurologic consult. I did undergo an
extensive neuro workup, including consult
with a neurologist, MRI, and EEG.
Everything was normal. Based upon my
presenting complaints, I was diagnosed
with uncinate seizures. This is a simple
partial seizure that originates in the
temporal lobe.
My neurologist at the time recommended
that I start on anti-seizure medication.
I was unwilling to do this because I did
not want to deal with medication side
effects. I then saw a second neurologist,
and he felt that medication was really not
indicated.
I now work as a neurology nurse
practitioner, and the doctor I work with
also does not think that this type of
seizure needs to be treated. I often
wonder if this is really even a seizure
disorder. There are some migraine
variants that can produce a similar type
of symptom.
If you are experiencing odd smells as many
of you describe, I would urge you to talk
to your doctor. It might be nothing, but
it certainly could be indicative of a
brain tumor, seizure disorder, migraine,
etc.
The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written by any author on this site. No health questions and information on eHealth Forum is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor. Posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author, and not the administrators, moderators, or editorial staff and hence eHealth Forum and its principals will accept no liabilities or responsibilities for the statements made.
Schizophreniahealth
This page was last updated on June 11, 2008