I Can Smell Smoke All the Time

I started smelling cigarette smoke last winter and it was (and still is) driving me crazy. I quit smoking 5 years ago and absolutely hate the smell of cigarettes. It was the weirdest thing, I'd smell it at home, at the office, in my car, just about everywhere - but it wasn't all the time, it could come and go. I especially noticed it when driving my car and sitting at the computer.  In February I went to a ENT who looked at my sinuses and found nothing wrong. I went ahead and got an MRI and lo and behold they found a tumor on my salivary gland. My surgeon assured me that there was no link between the tumor and the smell but that I was extremely lucky to have discovered it I liked to think that the smell was warning me about the tumor, as it disappeared a couple of weeks after the surgery. But alas, 6 months have passed and it's back. I went to see an epilepsy specialist who told me that the phantosmia could be a symptom of micro-seizures in the brain. If so then there is the potential for a real seizure in the future, yikes.. In early January I'm doing a 3-day observation at the hospital. They're going to have me hooked up to all sorts of wires and monitor my brain activity. Pretty extreme, but at this point I'll try anything. I've noticed recently that the smell seems to follow stressful situations. If I'm watching a suspensful movie, get in an argument or am in an uncomfortable social situation it tends to kick in shortly afterwards, but it'll also happen at seemingly random times as well. ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** web addresses not allowed*** Please read our Terms of Use

Hi all, I searched on Google and found all your comments. I have been smelling smoke recently. ...the past few weeks. I have already been diagnosed with a form of brain tumour called a prolactinoma. Had lots of other symptoms first tho but now I'm smelling smoke I might have a word with my endocrinologist doctor for advice. ...make sure it's not growing or changing for the worst

Oh, thank god! I thought I was crazy. I was asking people all day today if they could smell it - it came in odd bursts, only ever indoors, but it was insane. I have had this issue for months, especially when I go to bed at night. I was scared that it was all on my head, especially when I mentioned it to a friend who said maybe my brain was causing it or something, I don't know. I'm just so glad I'm not alone!! I have never smoked a cigarette in my life or been around many people who have, and I'm not a drinker of alcohol or coffee. To hear that it is likely to be a sinus infection is a relief, because I really was worrying (I'm a worrier). 

Ok, I'm the newest victim of this smoke smell. I'm driving my wife crazy about it and I kind of agree with her... I mean, what the heck right!? I went to the doctor today after three weeks of this and he did a very brief sinus check. Said he can "see" some signs of allergy. I told him I havent been sick or a had a cold recently, though I have had some yellow mucus in the morn which isnt all that irregular for me. He suggested some nasal spray and I'm starting Flonaise tonight. I noticed some difficulty breathing as well, but just ran 5 miles so not asthmatic or anything. After suggesting the nasal spray he then ordered me an MRI on my brain without even asking me if I had any other signs of a tumor. Kind of upset me, and my wife suggests I get a new doctor. I will keep ya'll posted about this and keep any answers or similar issues coming. #AnnoyingSmokeSmell

BTW, I am not getting the MRI after a few weeks of a smoky smell! GEESH!

This post is over a year old however I am responding to this just for sake of record. My BP meds were recently changed from bisoprolol to Metoprolol. Since the change I have noticed that I will smell "phantom" smoke/burning smells for days at a time. I never made a connection until I read this post. Now I am curious about the relationship between Metoprolol and "phantom" smoke/burning smells.

What a relief to find your quote. Thought I was going mad smelling smoke in places I know no smoke was around. Even reported to work passive smoking in vents, non concluded. Thought was going mad. Will make an appointment to see my GP to investigate further. Thank You :)

I know it's been a year since you posted this but I just had to say thank you!! I'll take a little relief over no relief!! I had the flu 2 weeks ago. (Cough and nose problems were the worst) was feeling better for about 3 days then BOOM!! Throat was getting sore. Had horrible pressure in my head and headache. Blowing and hacking out reddish brown to dark green stuff foe two days. Woke up today with same symptoms..that and a horrible burning plastic smell that won't go away. I'm guessing I have a severe sinus infection now. 2015 is not off to a good start for me! But thank you so much for this tip.

I am so glad I am not alone and not crazy. In fact I smell cigarette smoke right now! Smelling smoke when there is no reason to has been happening to me for a copule of years now. It may last minutes or hours like today. I did a web search and found that doctors call the sensation PHANTOSMIA or a "phantom smell." Or it could be PAROSMIA. This link lists potential causes, including stress, infection or migraine. I suffer from occasional migraines but this smell happens when I do not have a migraine. All the info. I have found suggests to see a doctor if it persists which I am going to do.   ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** web addresses not allowed*** Please read our Terms of Use

I don't drink coffee or ingest any caffeine and have been smelling smoke for about 4 weeks. I hope its just a sinus infection.

I am noticing that when I am standing the smell goes away for a little while. I am wondering if anyone else notices that changing positions makes it better or worse. I was afraid that since I am an ex smoker (smoke free 5 yr) it might be a detox. Guessing now not the case. 

Did you go to the dr? Whats the results? Im currently having this problem for almost two weeks. Help!

Hi, i have the same problem...for the past couple of months intermittently throughout the day and evening i feel as though i am inhaling a dirty ashtray or smoke from a fire/or someones cigarette, sometimes it is so strong that i feel as though i can actually taste it, it is awful and makes me feel a bit sickly, i dont smoke and no one around me does. Does anyone actually know why this is happening without scaremongering us poor sufferers.

I am attempting to monitor any foods that I may eat that would possibly have liquid smoke in it.  I use to use liquid smoke when cooking long ago when i had this problem and I stopped using it and the smoke smell went away for months.  I have just recently been eating at a Japanese place that cooks habachi and I have been smelling it again.  I am wondering if they are using liquid smoke in the seasoning.  Just want to mention this just in case anyone else sees a pattern for a possible explanation.

seems to me that the recurring thing reading all the threads is the sinus infections. I jave just had one and i keep smelling smoke and i thought back to my last sinus infection and remember smelling smoke then as well, so obviously something to do with the nasal passages