Smelling Smoke All the Time - Part 2

Well the Sinus CT was clear - was hoping the ENT would see polyps that may be causing the smell. It feels as though the smell is getting worse with resprite periods becoming less and less in length. Returning to see the ENT in mid Feb. Have also had my medication for hypertension changed in the hope that may be the cause. Will keep the forum updated!

I am like the rest of you.  Dr. charged me $150.00 to tell me she has never heard of it and sent me on my way.  I wanted to post since i have found something that finally works for me.  I read many  post and tried many things.  Nothing until now.  I have been smoke smell free for 3 days. I rub a little tiny dab of coconut oil in each nostril a few times a day and take Allegra 24hr allergy meds once a day.  I have tried lots of other allergy meds and none worked.  I hope this works for you too.  

I too have been having the same problem!

I have a very sharp sense of smell anyway and always pick up on smells before those around me, but for the past month or so, have been suffering from what I thought was allergic rhinitis. Nothing too uncomfortable, but my right sinus feels as though it is constantly blocked, especially in the morning and I have quite a lot of hard dried blood in there.

Then for the past couple of weeks, I have been smelling really strong cigarette smoke whilst sat at my desk at work. Work colleagues tell me that they can smell nothing, even if they come over, but it's so strong, it makes my eyes feel sore and makes me want to cough!

I'm taking a week off next week, so will be interested to see if teh change in environment helps - if not I'll go and see a medical professional about it!

But it's so interesting to read that so many suffer with this issue.

Hey everyone, I've been having this problem for months now. It seems to be happening more frequently. My GP sent me to an ENT, and they looked up my nose and everything. Couldn't find any signs of infection or tumors. He said it might be a damaged nerve of some sort. So they had me get a CT scan and my ENT called with the result and said there were no signs of tumors or anything. Now I'm stumped.

I don't think it's a migraine aura either because, well, I don't have migraines.

I immediately thought spirit. I'm not a fanatic, I'm educated. My mother was an extremely heavy smoker. Was being the operative word. I have a large wood burner we use often but this smell is indistuingashable as ciggerrette smoke. I also live in the middle of knowwhere so it's not my neighbou

I use Flonase....I have the smoke smell, started 3 days after I started using it........

I know what you are all going through...I solved the mystery for myself, but it took two times, with the smoke smell driving me crazy for about two months each time. It was my chiropractor who put me on the right path. He said that this "ghost smell" is the automatic response generated by the brain when you have a problem with your smell due to a variety of things. With me, it was an allergic reaction to some fish capsules that had gone rancid. I know, strange! The time before, I suspect that it was from another allergy. I suggest all of you look at what changes you have made lately to food and vitamins, meds. Eliminate whichever is the likeliest problem maker. When I took away the fish oil, it took about a week and I started to begin to smell...not all of the time, but soon within days, all of the time. I have not had it happen again, and it's been over six months.Using a netty pot, or a pure salt water nose spray seemed to help a little, but the problem is what you are exposing your body to internally, no cleaning is going to take care of it. Detox baths in magnesium will also help, and eucalyptus smelling, but the culprit lies within! Best of luck to all of you. I remember how horrible it was for me, so I wanted to pass on this newest revelation.

I'm new to this forum and also have this horrible smoke smell.  I've had it on and off, very rarely, for the past two years. However, in the past 3 months it has been very frequent and sometimes even constant. It's very annoying and when it gets really strong I get a dull headache right in the middle of my forehead.  I also get extremely fatigued. In addition I have depression and mood swings (but I'm also a 52 year old female in menopause).  I have noticed at times that the smell is stronger in stressful situations.  I finally broke down and went to my family dr a few weeks ago.  He referred me to an ENT, who ordered a CT Scan to check my sinuses.  It came back normal. He then ordered a MRI with contrast.  It is scheduled for tomorrow. I also went to see a Neurologist last week, who ordered an EEG to rule out Temporal Lobe Seizures.  That test will be done this coming week also.  Hopefully with a CT, MRI and EEG someone will be able to pinpoint the cause. I don't want anything bad to be wrong, but I don't want this aggravating smell either.  Like many of you have posted, I thought I was just crazy at first and I was relieved to see I was not the only one experiencing this strange smell.  I was hoping more people would have posted updates to let everyone know their outcome or how they are doing now.  I'll give another update after the next two test results come back. 

I am glad you are doing all of the tests to rule out a serious problem, but do see if you have taken any new supplements. Rancid oils ("vegetable" oils) or expired medications or in my case, rancid fish oil, can cause an allergic reaction. If they don't find anything, I would strongly recommend an elimination diet for a month...cut out everything...vegetable oils, processed foods, vitamins for at least two to three weeks, then gradually add back in. It took three weeks of getting off the fish oils for me to realize that was it.

Thank you, Tom! That helped me too!

Well both the MRI and EEG both came back normal. The neurologist suggested doing a 24 hour EEG, but at this point I don't know if it matters or not. I guess I just have to get use to this as it comes and goes.

Hi, I have been smelling wood burning smoked for the past 7 days and also taking Benadryl on and off for the past 5-6 months for my chronic sinusitis and also using Nasacort nasal spray. I thought I am going crazy too. Thanks for all the answers, it's comforting me that I am not alone. Will make an appointment asap!

Hello- I read all the posts here Part 1 + 2 and am posting to the last person to post, in response to those looking for a solution. My smoke smell has greatly subsided and is on the way out- it has been just a hint of smell every few days now and it is petering out...I started doing the regime below about for about 2 weeks. Started noticing results in about a wk. It is 97% gone!

I thought my tenant was smoking in the building (not allowed) and i was getting ready to confront him- however, my roommate cd not smell this smoke whenever i did, and i know i am the one with sinus issues, so i finally googled this smoke smell syndrome and boy i am glad i ran across these posts!!!

As for me, first of all, i do have food allergies, and I do have nasal polyps. I don't think putting another smell in your nose is the way to solve this but to remove whatever is causing this. I realized i had stopped being so religious about using my Grossan Nasal Pic- (much MUCH more effective than a neti pot!) I took the stance that i was having a sinus infection and
1. I added 8 drops of Grapefruit Seed extract to my 16 oz of saline wash every day. Grapefruit Seed Extract is antifungal, and antiviral, as well as I've read antibacterial. I read someone did this a few times a day, but i only did it once a day plus a few more things below...

2. I was very ill on and off this summer and treated by my Western MD doc for mycoplasma bacteria with some Chinese herbs- which finally after 3 months of looking elsewhere cured me. Phew!

I have gut issues to start with my food allergies, so I am very protective of my gut flora- so antibiotics are always a last ditch measure!! So I also took these Chinese herbs again for the 10 days prescribed when this smoke syndrome was figured out- they were made by Golden Flower Chinese Herbs and called Coptis Relieve Toxicity Formula. My doc prescribed 1 tablet 2x a day with food. I am 115 lbs. The bottle prescribes a larger dose...

3. I also take the most powerful and I swear by this product- probiotic called Natren's Trinity every day, and double up on it (one in morning and one at night) when I am feeling ill. I did this also. But i'd start slow if you have not used this product before. One a day every other day and see how you do.

4. I also took 3 teaspoons of Elderberry syrup - the strongest antioxidant out there - one per meal as that is when I would remember to take it, but you certainly can take it whenever- it is delicious and good in juice or water...

*****5. Also, i would say, if you suspect allergies, my couldn't-live-without-it regimen besides the Nasal Pulsing stuff and Natren's Trinity is taking 500 ml EACH of Quercetin, Bromelain, and Vit C with meals. THIS IS PARAMOUNT. I would have a totally messed up gut without this, plus of course sinuses are part of the mucosal system so this is why this would be treating the sinuses as well as the gut. (Hence why one could have polyps in both regions!)

5."a" And hopefully you know if you have sinus issues to start, that you should avoid all dairy as this is going to clog u up and not let you start clearing out and healing any infections or polyps...

4. Oh, just remembered another thing i added to my regimen as of late- 500 ml of Beta Glucan with a meal. It is not necessary to use the mushroom extracted version, as that is much more expensive i heard, but the stuff extracted from oats is just as good i've also read.

5. This is huge- DRINK A LOT OF WATER- I make a non-diuretic type tea that i love to drink so that i will get in my daily dose of liquids - I make a bunch of tea first thing in the day or last thing at night and put it in two quart containers (1 + 1 = 2 quarts). I use Trader Joe's Mint Melange with some rice milk and stevia as to not be adding in a lot of sugar into my diet.

I should also say that eating healthy is a given- i.e. plenty of varieties of veggies (easiest to accomplish at a salad bar ;j)! , water... and now that i am older i find getting to sleep before midnight is really the immune booster they say it is. I do feel crappier if i go to bed late even if i have my 8+hrs...

Good luck to you all- the above worked for me!!!

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p.s. I forgot one thing! So #7 would be to put 10 drops of Grapefruit Seed Extract in your tea 3x's a day! Important :)!

I am also experiencing the same. Just like the writer, I feel I am very healthy. I exercise, watch the food I am eating and do not take any medication. But I am getting this burning wood smell many times in a day now. I have an MRI schedule next month, I just hope & pray nothing serious from the result.