3 year old with short term memory loss and smell disfunction

I am hoping someone can shine a light on some symptoms my three year old is displaying.  For 4 the last 4 weeks she has been asking "what is that smell?"  it started off as she could smell "poo".  After a week it turned into burning.  She can now smell chocolate as well as the afore mention smells.  This is always when there is no smell at all.  This happens in different geographic locations and at different times.

She had a cold for one of the weeks yet she still kept "smelling" things.  We have observed this over time and it is not a habbit it is something she really belives is there.

Another symptom to go with this which could just be the type of thing that a three year old does is she asks a question and you answer then a minute later she asks again this can go on three or four time (usualy til i loose paitence).  She has never done this in the past and it started not long before the smelling came about.  She does not appear to be doing this to wind me up and appears genuinly not to remeber.  She has also started to forget where she left her dolly / juice even though she was excellent at remebering previously.  It is as if someone turned a switch in early december.

I am quite concered about this now and have seen a GP who was understanding but was not sure if it could be epilepsy and has referred her to the community peads doctor.  The wait is about 6 weeks and i was hoping someone could offer some advice during the wait.

Many thanks.

[redneckmom]

Please just be patient with your daughter.  If she thinks she smells chocolate say maybe she just really wants some brownies; then make some with your little angel.  If she asks you something 3 or 4 times just answer the same amount.  Some day she may be taking care of you when you smell funny and don't remember who you are.  What precious time when kids are just kids.  I wish you all of the best with her and hope that you get some answers so you can sleep easier and get on without wondering.

[RockRose]

What she is experiencing is called "olfactory hallucination".  There are lots of causes,  none of them should be ignored.  As you say,  it can be a type of epilepsy that is quite benign,  or can be other things like a head injury.

Google olfactory hallucination and see if any of the information rings true.

Best wishes - you're on the right track to getting information.

[auntwanda]

does autism run in the family?  they have a high sense of smell.  seizures are also common.  sometimes they are undetected.  good luck!  hope things get better!