I NEED SOME HELP ON THIS PLEASE | Arthritis Information

 

I am having some serious health issues again one of the  major ones that is driving me to the brink right now is my sense of smell.  For over a month now all I can smell is cigarettes or cigarette butts. I do not smoke, my husband doesn't smoke, smoking isn't allowed in my home or around me.   I can not get this smell out of my sinuses and it is even down my throat.  The only time I have relief is when I am sleeping.  I have gotten to the point that the smell gets so intense all I can do is cry because IT WON'T GO AWAY!!!!

meme2008-06-16 20:07:27I'm sorry you are having such a hard time Meme.  It sounds like maybe it's time to ask your doctor for some adjustments in meds, because things are flaring.  And all the stress you are under is making it worse.

You know strange you should say that , I have been thinking about my dad lately it will be 5 yrs this month since he died. He was a big Chesterfield smoker all his life.  Yes the smell reminds me when I was a kid and cleaning out his ashtray.  I can not smell anything else and it is scaring me to death that I can't smell anything else, not even my flowers, they all smell like old cigarettes.This is so strange Meme. I don't understand it at all.....but it sounds horrible.

Meme- I hope you feel better soon and I will also keep you in my prayers.  Keep us all posted!

And yes, I know exactly what it's like to want to talk on here because you know we will all understand.  I feel so bad sometimes complaining to my husband.  We're only 21... we're supposed to be out being young, crazy kids right?  And instead, he's dealing with all my medical stuff.  I'm either sore, sneezing from allergies, or bent over with a tummy ache from my meds, and I hate to burden him with all that.
Try to remember that even though your family can't understand the way we do, they do care so much and they do love you so much.  My husband and I argued about it the other night and finally he was just like, "I just see you hurting and there's nothing I can do about it and it's so frustrating to me."  Many times, although your family can never understand your pain and frustration, they would take it all away from you and take it on themselves if they could.  My mom and my husband both have told me many times that they just wish it could be them with all this and that they could just take it away from me.
Anyways, I wanted you to know that we're here and that although we all may jump down each other's throats sometimes, we all care.  Please message me anytime and don't be afraid to complain to us.  That's what we're here for Possibly neurological in nature. Or a bad side effect from the meds? I would talk to the doctor. If no results try a neurologist.Pammy416 recently started a thread on this very topic.  As I write this it's on Page 3.  Check it out.  Your case seems a bit extreme, but you could have a more sensitive system that's making this issue more difficult for you.  Anyway, I'm glad you told us about this.  We do understand the unique nature of this disease and the various ways it has of making us crazy!!! We as nurses put clove oil dabbed under our noses to get rid of unwanted nasty smells.  Even though yours doesn't exist, maybe like some cinnamon or some nice oil would override the cigarette.  Just a thought.I tried that it wears of immediately I have an appointment with a specialist tommorrow, dr is very concerned, I haven't been on meds because of infections again so it is not the meds they feel something is pushing up againts my sinuses and cheeks so I have to have more images done etc.  I just want it to stop I don't know if I can take this smell much longer, we all have put up with so much from our diseases, to keep having things piled on even further is so fustrating.  Thanks for your kind words it means alot.  My hubby  is the best but like you say you feel guilty complaing all the time and you feel like that is all they hear from you.  Thank you agan.xoxoxoxoxoxox [QUOTE=jennmommi]Have you tried Vicks vapo rub? I use that under my nose when I have a migraine and have sensitivity to smells, it masks everything and all you smell is the menthol.

I hope it is better soon and not a tumor.
[/QUOTE]

I was going to suggest the same exact thing!  I've used it for years to deal with the occasional nausea-inducing headache.  My husband would put some under his nose whenever he had to change a poopy diaper... he's got a very weak stomach.Let us know how you make out Meme.  I'll say some prayers that it's something easily fixed and not serious. Geez, it figures it has to be the smell of cigarettes.  Why can't it be something like lilacs or bacon? [QUOTE=Linncn]Geez, it figures it has to be the smell of cigarettes.  Why can't it be something like lilacs or bacon?[/QUOTE]

Nice going.  Now I want to go out and get a bacon cheeseburger for lunch, even though the thought of such a beast makes my stomach hurt.Hi Meme, I'm so sorry that you're having such a hard time. Having that dirty ash tray smell isn't fun. I have neighbors who smoke out in the court yard and I'm no wheres near them, I get the smell. It will linger in the air and can be smelled for several mins afterwards. Plus on humid days, you can smell the cig. from the plants and soil around their smoking place. It didn't help that I had a roomie who would sneek a smoke when I wasn't around and then play dumb when I asked about it. Just hope that it's something simple and not a tumor. Will keep you in my prayers.   marisaMeme, I rinse out my sinuses about twice a week.  It makes the odors go away. 
Sometimes our sinuses do not drain well and the "stuff" starts to take on an odor and
therefore a bad smell.  It works for me Meme.  I hope you find out the cause of this and
that a little ole pill will stop it. 

Copyright ArthritisInsight.com