I Can Smell Smoke All the Time

I'd like to add my own experience. In May 2015 I went to my Dr with complaint of a small non productive cough/constant clearing of my throat. He said it could be a side effect of my high blood pressure meds. Left with a new script for HBP meds. Went back in July with a much worse cough and stuffy head. By this time I too had started smelling cigarette smoke on and off. Didn't mention it to him because I knew I was imaging it. I live alone in the country. There were times the smell was so strong I walked around the house thinking someone was outside smoking. Back to the Dr visit. He said I might be suffering from allergy induced asthma and double ear infection. Never had allergies before in my life and didn't feel like I had them now but ok. Went home with new allergy meds, couple inhalers and antibiotics for ears. Went back a month later with worse symptoms. Dr ordered a CT scan of head (nasal cavity) and polminary (lung) test. My lungs are fine no asthma but I had a severe sinus infection. Went home with a 2X a day for 60 days course of antibiotics. With further directions that if it doesn't clear up I need to see a ENT specialist. Now it's November and have been fighting what ever it is I have for 6 months now. The ONLY thing I smell now is cigarette smoke. I can't smell anything else. Not Vicks, bleach, ammonia, nothing. My mucus membranes and sinuses are so messed up that not even hot spicy things effect me. Tabasco sauce doesn't have much taste at all. The 60 day course of antibiotics is almost over. I guess the next step is Ear Nose Throat specialist with possible surgery to open up my sinuses.

I had this same problem, smoke smell in my nose almost all the time this past summer. I had had a bad sinus infection earlier that year that maybe never quite cleared up, but I want to tell you my experience. I asked my dr to order a CT of the brain, that came back clear, thankfully, and then I scheduled an appt with ENT dr. who checked out inside my nose for any masses or polyps, all clear there too, but still smoke smell. He prescribed Flonase, (double-dose) a.m. and p.m., that may have helped a bit, still, smoke smell. Next I went back to my dr. because I had also been having pressure headaches, kind of a dull headache a lot of the time. She associated the smoke smell with migraine headaches, prescribed a migraine med. and IT WORKED. Took that for about 2 weeks or maybe 3, and the smoke smell has gone away. I wish you luck, as this is a nasty thing to have to deal with every day, everywhere.

six months ago, i had a cold and lost complete sense of taste for 14 days. not too long after that, i began smelling smoke almost all the time. the only strange thing i have noticed is that if i put my fingers on the side of my nose, and push back and forth for 5-10 seconds, the smell completely goes away for maybe 30-60 seconds. also, i can put a finger under my nose, and push inward against my front teeth, and as long as i do this, there is no smell of smoke. this has got to be a clue as to what is causing this problem, but i have no idea what it might be. any thoughts? it's driving me crazy!

This has just stared with me, its driving me nuts smells like cigarettes all the time

I've had this on and off for a couple of years now.. It just came back after a few months - a real bummer because I thought it was gone forever. The worst is working out at the gym and feeling like I'm in a smoky bar. It's definitely stress related. One really stressful event can kick off a new episode that can last either a couple of days or a couple of weeks. I find that it's at its worst when I'm sitting in front of the computer or driving. Anyone else?

Mine is worse when I wake up. Lots of times feeling like I woke up in a bar which really freaks me out when I darken the room at night. Leaves me a bit discombobulated until start moving around. I'm learning to leave curtains open a little. Sucks!

Same here. I don't smell it if I cover my nose? But it's definitely worse when I'm sitting... At work, on the couch. Sometimes my eyes burn. Sucks.

You all need to see a neurologist regarding phantom smoke smell and have an EEG done. This is what has happened to me and it is silent seizures. If you continue to have seizures without treatment, you will be setting yourselves up for early onset dementia. Please get this checked out!

I have been experiencing this for 3-4 years, off & on. No particular time of day or place. Sometimes it's so bad I can't breath or even talk. It's like someone is sitting right next to me & blowing smoke right in my face. I smoked in my younger days for about 15 years but quit in 1980, I also have had serious sinus infections in the past. So hopefully it is something to do with that. I too chalked it up to a pesky spirit (which I have a few fall from the family tree that smoked heavily) that just wouldn't leave me alone. I guess if it doesn't stop soon, will resort to a doctor.

I too was smelling smoke when no one else was smelling it. This continued for several years and thankfully my physicians were able to rule out tumors, seizures etc. Before giving up, I decided to try eliminating sucralose from my diet mainly because I started questioning it's very unnatural puffy, chemical appearance and to my surprise .... the smoke smell went away. I have been free from smelling smoke for nearly 2 years.

What was the result of your test?

I am experiencing this as well would love to have some answers

(In the Arkansas River Valley area) ME, TOO! For at least the last month! It smells like a constant brush fire ... not cigarette smoke, but more like wood ash and such, and it is stronger during mid-day to late evening. I didn't think much of it because I live near a military base where there are often brush fires, but I can't usually smell those when I am at work. It is so strong, it makes the back of my throat feel irritated until the "smell" goes away. I really would like to know what's happening.

I recently had a natural path doctor tell me that I have contaminant builds up in my kidneys. I don't know if anyone else has checked into this but it might be worth a shot.

Just adding my own story fwiw. I am 55 and have never smoked and have no past or current health issues worth mentioning. This smoke smell started a few days ago and is more acute in the afternoon and evenings. It is not enxactly like cigarette smell but reminds me of a smouldering grass fire. Even experiencing this outside the house now. Because it is just me I looked it up on the internet and found this blog. Initially pleased to see that I am not going mad but concerned that there appears to be almost as many theories/solutions as people with the problem. I cannot identify with any of the potential environmental or past health issues others have mentioned so I guess I will just monitor it and seek medical advice if it gets worse.