My mom, Dot, had a major stroke six months ago. Now she refuses to wear clothes picked out for her, to sit in her favorite chair, etc. She is always trying to cover the offensive smell with material, perfumes, or powders, but there is no smell! She doesn't believe that everything smells like pee, just most things.
She now believes that she has a super sense of smell. Is there a center in the brain associated with odor -- got to be. I heard kidney and liver suspects above, but hers are fine. Mainly, does anyone know what to do about it besides putting Vicks under your nose?
She now believes that she has a super sense of smell. Is there a center in the brain associated with odor -- got to be. I heard kidney and liver suspects above, but hers are fine. Mainly, does anyone know what to do about it besides putting Vicks under your nose?
this is the nearest description i have found to my own symptoms - only i would describe mine more like a mixture of car exhaust fumes and slight burning but without the petrol smell. it started in june 2006 and has recurred a few times. one guest wrote it may be hair dye, i have recently had my hair dyed in a salon . think i will keep a diary of when the smell reoccurs.
The nose and taste buds are directly related. If you are smelling ammonia and also notice that food tastes differently it is likely that you have a sinus infection.
I started yesterday with this. When I bend over I get a strong smell of ammonia. It is not in my sweat, no one else smells it. It is in my sinus. I have had sinus problems for a long time. I take Flonase every day. This is strange but it is good to know other people are experiencing this. It seems like there are several theories but nothing definite. The thought of it being long term is not good news because it is nasty. I will check in occasionally to look for updates.
Me too!!! I too would describe the smell I that is constantly in my head/nose like a mixture of car exhaust fumes and slight burning but without the petrol smell. This started a week ago but has happened on two occasions before. Sometimes lasting weeks! What is going on how can I get rid of this sickly smell, is causing me headaches and nausea. I have not had my hair dyed as you say. I got it last Monday on a drive down to Dublin Airport in my mates car... please can anyone help???
The constant smelling of exhaust type fumes started a week ago. It's constantly there, at work, in my car, at home.. I still can smell other things but sometimes its so strong that it even overpowers a scented candle. It's like I'm standing on a street corner in a busy city but don't live in a city. My eyes will burn, I feel nauseated at times. I am a diabetic and take meds for that, also for blood pressure and depression, but have never had this happen before...
I have been noticing and exhaust fume type odor. I smell it at home, in office at work and in my car, other peoples homes so it is not in one place. I've been under tremendous stress lately. Don't dye hair so it's not that. Did start taking Lipitor then stopped thinking it was culprit. Odor lightened up but not gone completely. Anyone have answers? It is nauseating and annoying. Doctor looked at me like I was crazy. Could it be associated with any disease?
Oh Wow! Can't believe I've found others with this problem... My Doctor thinks I'm nuts!
I thought it was ammonia I was smelling too. Comes and goes... Then comes back! On researching the subject I found certain metabolic states can cause "acetone breath". Next time the smell came back, I thought about it. It IS more like finger nail polish remover... Acetone! Any one else realize this?
Mine got much worse when I took B complex vitamins, NAC (N-Acetyl-L-Cystene) and/or especially SAM-e supplements. I quit taking these and the smell went away.
I've read diabetics and those on the Atkins diet go into "ketosis" and get acetone breath. Strenuous exercise can also cause this. I checked my blood sugar and liver enzymes and all are OK. Don't know what's going on here.
I thought it was ammonia I was smelling too. Comes and goes... Then comes back! On researching the subject I found certain metabolic states can cause "acetone breath". Next time the smell came back, I thought about it. It IS more like finger nail polish remover... Acetone! Any one else realize this?
Mine got much worse when I took B complex vitamins, NAC (N-Acetyl-L-Cystene) and/or especially SAM-e supplements. I quit taking these and the smell went away.
I've read diabetics and those on the Atkins diet go into "ketosis" and get acetone breath. Strenuous exercise can also cause this. I checked my blood sugar and liver enzymes and all are OK. Don't know what's going on here.
I, too, have suffered from this smell on and off for years. It typically will show up during or after a bad head and chest cold. The smell is the same as shows up after being around bleach or Tilex fumes for too long. During a flareup, certain foods seem to react to the smell; those with acids in them. It's really annoying when it happens, and sometimes takes longer to resolve that other times. The first time it happened it lasted like three months, but usually last a week or two. I have yet to find a cause, but I suspect it may be as a result of some cold meds.
I have borderline hypertension, so I avoid cold meds with psuedoephedrine. However, I am also asthmatic, so if I am seriously blocked in my sinuses I have to break down and take them. But, I don't know if this is the cause because it does not show up each time.
I also recently went through a rough patch with my bladder, and was on Cipro and Macrobid, before it was determined I have kidney stones. So maybe the claims of reduced kidney function have to do with it, too. However, since that is a recent problem and this has been going on for years, my suspect its more related to cold meds or sinus infection as indicated in other posts.
I am relieved, though, to know so many others suffer from this. Please continue to post so maybe all our stories will help our MDs figure it out!
I have borderline hypertension, so I avoid cold meds with psuedoephedrine. However, I am also asthmatic, so if I am seriously blocked in my sinuses I have to break down and take them. But, I don't know if this is the cause because it does not show up each time.
I also recently went through a rough patch with my bladder, and was on Cipro and Macrobid, before it was determined I have kidney stones. So maybe the claims of reduced kidney function have to do with it, too. However, since that is a recent problem and this has been going on for years, my suspect its more related to cold meds or sinus infection as indicated in other posts.
I am relieved, though, to know so many others suffer from this. Please continue to post so maybe all our stories will help our MDs figure it out!
I have the same smell..it's an exhaust smell, not ammonia...gives me a terrible headache and my eyes are irritated. I take blood pressure meds and prilosec...... someone tell me what it is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My doctor hardly ever listens to what I have to say so I don't want to bother trying to talk to him, he would probably blow it off as I am crazy!
I noticed I get the worst smell/taste of ammonia when I eat things with either distilled vinegar or acids in them. And most of the time, I believe I only smell/taste it when I'm sick. I just went to the doctors on Thursday and I have bronchitis and a sinus infection. I was given the Azithromycin tablets to take, and I've also been taking Motrin for pain relief and to keep the fever down. The taste only seems to get EXTREMELY worse, and almost unbareable when I eat things with ketchup or ranch dressing on them. I also had a ceasar salad last night, and the ceasar dressing also smelled/tasted like ammonia. It's disgusting! People think I'm crazy, and don't seem to understand why I get those tastes. But I'm kind of glad I found out more people suffer with this...
Now my question is, WHAT CAUSES THIS HORRIBLE AMMONIA SMELL/TASTE? I've read numerous places it can be a variety of things. Kidney failure (which runs in my family), brain tumors (heaven forbid), ammonia splitters (no idea!), epilepsy (I don't have seizures), anxiety and stress (which I've had a lot of lately..!). So...now I'm just trying to determine what it is! Because honestly...it's driving me crazy! %-)
Now my question is, WHAT CAUSES THIS HORRIBLE AMMONIA SMELL/TASTE? I've read numerous places it can be a variety of things. Kidney failure (which runs in my family), brain tumors (heaven forbid), ammonia splitters (no idea!), epilepsy (I don't have seizures), anxiety and stress (which I've had a lot of lately..!). So...now I'm just trying to determine what it is! Because honestly...it's driving me crazy! %-)
I noticed I get the worst smell/taste of ammonia when I eat things with either distilled vinegar or acids in them. And most of the time, I believe I only smell/taste it when I'm sick. I just went to the doctors on Thursday and I have bronchitis and a sinus infection. I was given the Azithromycin tablets to take, and I've also been taking Motrin for pain relief and to keep the fever down. The taste only seems to get EXTREMELY worse, and almost unbareable when I eat things with ketchup or ranch dressing on them. I also had a ceasar salad last night, and the ceasar dressing also smelled/tasted like ammonia. It's disgusting! People think I'm crazy, and don't seem to understand why I get those tastes. But I'm kind of glad I found out more people suffer with this...
Now my question is, WHAT CAUSES THIS HORRIBLE AMMONIA SMELL/TASTE? I've read numerous places it can be a variety of things. Kidney failure (which runs in my family), brain tumors (heaven forbid), ammonia splitters (no idea!), epilepsy (I don't have seizures), anxiety and stress (which I've had a lot of lately..!). So...now I'm just trying to determine what it is! Because honestly...it's driving me crazy! %-)
Now my question is, WHAT CAUSES THIS HORRIBLE AMMONIA SMELL/TASTE? I've read numerous places it can be a variety of things. Kidney failure (which runs in my family), brain tumors (heaven forbid), ammonia splitters (no idea!), epilepsy (I don't have seizures), anxiety and stress (which I've had a lot of lately..!). So...now I'm just trying to determine what it is! Because honestly...it's driving me crazy! %-)
I am having the same exact problem, I can barley eat anything and the constant smell being indoors is making me feel ill. I am on the exact medication as you are azithromycin and motrin??? I can't eat anything with dressing, sauces, chesses. I can not get rid of the amonnia smell. Please help, I am going crazy
I have a sinus infection and upper respiratory infection. I am also on Zpac(azithromycin). I am a ketchup aholic and I now gag everytime I put it in my mouth! It is so strong. I described it to my family as a burning sensation. This has happened to me once before, when I was a young kid. I used to get URI's all the time. Good news is, it went away. So it has something to do with the infection in the respiratory tract and/or the medication. I still don't know what causes this reaction, but am curious to find out.
From personal experience, Western medicine is unlikely to resolve this health issue. Try a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner. You'll be amazed at how quickly this symptom, and others of which you are probably unaware, will disappear.