Re: Smell hallucinations

[Guest guest]

Olfactory (smell) hallucination seem to be common with us. There is some conjecture that these "hallucinations"might be associated with the presence of a possibly low-grade infection. Mine have almost exclusively been in the "old cigarette butt" category. Often they are some kind of burnt smell. I believe that there is more info in the archives. Perhaps a course of antibiotics would be in order, or at least a deep nasal swab to acertain if there is an infective process. Good luck jamesseasidejacqui <j_saunders78@...> wrote: I have had Samter's triad for at least 10 years. I completely lost my sense of smell but regained it for a while after surgery. It lasted for about 2 years but I can't smell now. I am experiencing strong smell hallucinations though. For the last week I have had an overpowering, constant smell of Horse-chestnut bath foam (Badedas to be precise). Sometimes in the past it has been fireworks, damp pencil shavings or polystyrene cups. Has anybody else had this and do you know if and how it is connected to the polyps, or co-incidental? Also, has anybody tried aspirin desensitisation and did it help shrink the polyps?skeptic; a person who questions the validity or authenticity of something purporting to be factual. Oxford English Dictionary

"Those who have something to sell, those who wish to influence public opinion, those in power, a skeptic might suggest, have a vested interest in discouraging skepticism." Carl Sagan

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." lin

All-new - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster.

[Guest guest]

I too have had no sense of smell for years since my sinus surgery, but

also occasionally get what you called " hallucination " scents that

won't go away for days. For me, it almost always smells like cabbage

for some reason. I never eat cabbage, by the way, so I've often

wondered where it's coming from. The " damp pencil shavings " smell you

mentioned sounds similar. I'm sure it has something to do with the

polyps. Anyway, I'd be very grateful if someone could explain the

scent thing to me in greater detail. Also, since it's my first time

posting, I might as well ask: I'm a 24-year-old part-time college

student with no health insurance and a meager income. Does anyone know

of affordable measures I could take to improve my quality of life?

Last time I had insurance, years ago, I had to have sinus surgery to

remove TWO PINTS of polyps. The doctor said he had never seen anything

like it. It's starting to get that bad again but I feel like there's

not much I can do. I take OTC Claritan-D daily and use an albuterol

inhaler I get from my mother. Those allow me to function, but I'm

pretty miserable otherwise (polyps, pressure, complete congestion

24/7, severe allergies even with the OTC drug).

Thanks,

Grant in Indianapolis

>

> I have had Samter's triad for at least 10 years. I completely lost my

> sense of smell but regained it for a while after surgery. It lasted

> for about 2 years but I can't smell now. I am experiencing strong

> smell hallucinations though. For the last week I have had an

> overpowering, constant smell of Horse-chestnut bath foam (Badedas to

> be precise). Sometimes in the past it has been fireworks, damp pencil

> shavings or polystyrene cups.

> Has anybody else had this and do you know if and how it is connected

> to the polyps, or co-incidental? Also, has anybody tried aspirin

> desensitisation and did it help shrink the polyps?

>

[Guest guest]

Hello Grant,

Aspirin desensitization is a low cost long term solution. I paid $280 for

the all day procedure. I spent 90% of the time in the waiting room, 8% with

nurses, and 2% with the allergist. (Maybe your mom can help find a doctor,

if she is helping with albuterol) I had insurance, but it didn't cover it.

Guaifenesin, find one without a cough suppressant or decongestant and take a

double or triple dose with plenty of water (will help drain your head). Ask

the Pharmacist, they can be very helpful and free.

Irrigation is absolutely necessary, in the files is a link to Carol's store.

A one time investment of $100 or so will last for many years. You can mix

sea salt and baking soda to make the solution, no need to buy the packets.

Diet - avoid all artificial food colors (esp. Yellow), preservatives, MSG,

dairy, and maybe fruits with pits and alcohol.

I assume you are not visiting the emergency room yet. Many of us here have

been to that point of desperation. I believe that if you can get your

triggers and hyperactive sinus's under control you can avoid that future.

Don't be afraid to ask questions.

Pam

On 9/3/06 2:58 PM, " indygrantmc " <g.mcentire@...> wrote:

> I too have had no sense of smell for years since my sinus surgery, but

> also occasionally get what you called " hallucination " scents that

> won't go away for days. For me, it almost always smells like cabbage

> for some reason. I never eat cabbage, by the way, so I've often

> wondered where it's coming from. The " damp pencil shavings " smell you

> mentioned sounds similar. I'm sure it has something to do with the

> polyps. Anyway, I'd be very grateful if someone could explain the

> scent thing to me in greater detail. Also, since it's my first time

> posting, I might as well ask: I'm a 24-year-old part-time college

> student with no health insurance and a meager income. Does anyone know

> of affordable measures I could take to improve my quality of life?

> Last time I had insurance, years ago, I had to have sinus surgery to

> remove TWO PINTS of polyps. The doctor said he had never seen anything

> like it. It's starting to get that bad again but I feel like there's

> not much I can do. I take OTC Claritan-D daily and use an albuterol

> inhaler I get from my mother. Those allow me to function, but I'm

> pretty miserable otherwise (polyps, pressure, complete congestion

> 24/7, severe allergies even with the OTC drug).

>

> Thanks,

> Grant in Indianapolis

>

-

[Guest guest]

I too have had the hallucination smells. I have often

had the old cigarette butt smell, and that was god

awful. Other times its a metallic odor, with a bad

taste on my tongue. But most of the time, its almost

as if, I am in a smoke-filled room. I've had Samter's

for almost 11 years now and have had 3 surgeries. I

can always smell at some point afterward, but unless I

am on the prednisone consistantly, I will go away. My

doctor was very frank with me when I explained my

condition and explained to me that I would have to

take prednisone for the rest of my life. Now I take

the 1cc of prednisone through the nose every three

months, along with 5mgs daily. I also take Claritin D

OTC, flonase, and Advair to keep the asthma down. This

is everyday living for me. He just told me to make

sure that I take calcium and get the bone density

test. Since then, life is peaceful.

--- james affinito <jamesaffinito@...> wrote:

> Olfactory (smell) hallucination seem to be common

> with us. There is some conjecture that these

> " hallucinations " might be associated with the

> presence of a possibly low-grade infection. Mine

> have almost exclusively been in the " old cigarette

> butt " category. Often they are some kind of burnt

> smell. I believe that there is more info in the

> archives.

> Perhaps a course of antibiotics would be in order,

> or at least a deep nasal swab to acertain if there

> is an infective process. Good luck

> james

>

> seasidejacqui <j_saunders78@...> wrote:

> I have had Samter's triad for at least 10

> years. I completely lost my

> sense of smell but regained it for a while after

> surgery. It lasted

> for about 2 years but I can't smell now. I am

> experiencing strong

> smell hallucinations though. For the last week I

> have had an

> overpowering, constant smell of Horse-chestnut bath

> foam (Badedas to

> be precise). Sometimes in the past it has been

> fireworks, damp pencil

> shavings or polystyrene cups.

> Has anybody else had this and do you know if and how

> it is connected

> to the polyps, or co-incidental? Also, has anybody

> tried aspirin

> desensitisation and did it help shrink the polyps?

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> skeptic; a person who questions the validity or

> authenticity of something purporting to be factual.

> Oxford English Dictionary

>

> " Those who have something to sell, those who wish to

> influence public opinion, those in power, a skeptic

> might suggest, have a vested interest in

> discouraging skepticism. " Carl Sagan

>

> " They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a

> little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor

> safety. " lin

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> All-new - Fire up a more powerful email

> and get things done faster.

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Thanks for all the feedback on smell hallucinations. I went to the

doctor to check out if it was an infection. He didn't think so and had

no idea why it happens. He'd only heard of it once before and when he

remembered, he checked me out for a brain tumour:-0 At least from this

group I now know it's not uncommon so I'm not worried about it. I'm

lucky it's an OK smell - like strong bubblebath scent. Sorry to hear

your cigarette butt and cabbage tales. Even when I smell fireworks, at

least it reminds me of nice times!

[Guest guest]

Never heard of this in Australia, but

then a lot that applies in America doesn’t here.

From: samters [mailto:samters ] On Behalf Of gwenrafter@...

Sent: Tuesday, 5 September 2006

8:15 PM

samters

Subject: Re: Re: Smell

hallucinations

Grant,

I am sure this foundation is nationwide but

sometimes it is only allowed at certain hospitals. It is called Hill Burton

Foundation. It is a foundation for people without medical insurance. I have

never been without medical insurance but I know people who have actually used

this grant. If you can get the medical industry to cooperate with you it is a

great blessing for medical services. Also, there are other services availalble

but I am not sure about them but this one I know is helpful.

indygrantmc

<g.mcentiregmail> wrote:

I too have had no sense

of smell for years since my sinus surgery, but

also occasionally get what you called " hallucination " scents that

won't go away for days. For me, it almost always smells like cabbage

for some reason. I never eat cabbage, by the way, so I've often

wondered where it's coming from. The " damp pencil shavings " smell you

mentioned sounds similar. I'm sure it has something to do with the

polyps. Anyway, I'd be very grateful if someone could explain the

scent thing to me in greater detail. Also, since it's my first time

posting, I might as well ask: I'm a 24-year-old part-time college

student with no health insurance and a meager income. Does anyone know

of affordable measures I could take to improve my quality of life?

Last time I had insurance, years ago, I had to have sinus surgery to

remove TWO PINTS of polyps. The doctor said he had never seen anything

like it. It's starting to get that bad again but I feel like there's

not much I can do. I take OTC Claritan-D daily and use an albuterol

inhaler I get from my mother. Those allow me to function, but I'm

pretty miserable otherwise (polyps, pressure, complete congestion

24/7, severe allergies even with the OTC drug).

Thanks,

Grant in Indianapolis

>

> I have had Samter's triad for at least 10 years. I completely lost my

> sense of smell but regained it for a while after surgery. It lasted

> for about 2 years but I can't smell now. I am experiencing strong

> smell hallucinations though. For the last week I have had an

> overpowering, constant smell of Horse-chestnut bath foam (Badedas to

> be precise). Sometimes in the past it has been fireworks, damp pencil

> shavings or polystyrene cups.

> Has anybody else had this and do you know if and how it is connected

> to the polyps, or co-incidental? Also, has anybody tried aspirin

> desensitisation and did it help shrink the polyps?

>

__________________________________________________