Olfactory Hallucinations

[Susan]

Thank you for posting and answering my question.

It is scary! Would you answer one more question for me as I have to wait until next week for an appointment with my primary care physician.

Would olfactory hallucinations be more likely to happen often or consistently? Mine seem minor,very short (less than 30 seconds) and only as I wake up during the night.  It doesn't happen every night.

[Paul from Susan]

I am so sorry to hear of what you are going through.

My problem turned out to be nothing.  I think it was just things that happened to smell in my house, potpourri and Christmas stuff, because that is when I began smelling it.  I got rid of all of it and I didn't experience it anymore.

I do not have the problem you do, but I do know what it is like to suffer unbearably night and day and with every breath you breathe!  

You commented on my question and did not ask the Dr. your question.  Did you mean to do that?  Write back and ask the doctor.

I hope you get help...I know you are miserable.

My cousin was in a wreck and it caused him to have NO smell at all.  That could be dangerous, but it might be better than what you are going through.

Please let me know what happens with you and don't give up!

If you want to email me, my email address is susan.***@****

[Paul Fitzgerald]

Head injury

I had a head injury on Oct 99 and broke facial bones. A Plate was put in to secure my lower mandible. My cheekbone was broken My first op. in India after the accident the I came home to England. By the time they started treatment the infection that had developed had exposed the plate and jawbone, this has now been rectified ish.
On Dec 20th I noticed a smell and this grew in intensity to the point now where I feel as though I have had petrol thrown in my face the smell is acrid and over rules all taste. Car fumes news print coffee onions increase the intensity. doctors in the UK that I have had contact with admit to no knowledge of this phantosmia as I have now found it is called. The surgeons who have carried out the three ops in the UK (soon to be shown on sky tv discovery channel) have advised me to inhale Karvol, this sets of a very strong negative reaction and is dreadfully uncomfortable. I am nearly into my fourth month of this affliction and I feel nobody understands the seriousness or the distress I am in. I sometimes when it is at its worst want to cut my head off. I am a 44 year old male. The intense smell is constant and at its best is bad and at its worst is close to unbearable and can last for days before it subsides to being unpleasant. It surrounds me it is inside me. I cannot live the rest of my life like this.

[Paul Fitzgerald]

I have a head injury on Oct 99 and broke facial bones. A Plate was put in to secure my lower mandable. My cheekbone was broken My first opp in India after the accident the I came home to England. By the time they started treatment the infection had exposed the plate and jawbone this has now been rectified ish.
On Dec 20th I noticed a smell and this grew in intensity to the point now where I feel as though I have had petrol thrown in my face the smell is acrid and over rules all taste. Car fumes news print coffee onions increase the intensity. doctors in the UK that I have had contact with admit to no knowledge of this phantosmia as I have now found it is called. The surgeons who have carried out the three opps in the UK (soon to be shown on sky tv discovery channel) have advised me to inhale Karvol, this sets of a very strong negative reaction and is dreadfully uncomfortable. I am nearly into my fourth month of this afliction and I feel nobody understands the seriousness or the distress I am in. I sometimes when it is at its worst want to cut my head off. I am a 44 year old male. The intense smell is constant and at its best is bad and at its worst is close to unbearable and can last for days before it subsides to being unpleasant. It surounds me it is inside me. I cannot live the rest of my life like this.

[A-a]

I've been having olfactory hallucinations for years.  It's surprised all the psychiatrists I've had.  I had an MRI to rule out a small brain tumor so you might want to have a scan done for your peace of mind.  I've learned to live with them.  As long as they're not harmful or have a physical cause, I wouldn't let them worry you.

[HFHS MD-JM]

Susan,

     The duration of the hallucination is not specific for any type of problem but, a brief period is better than a prolonged or consitent happening in general. Please see your personal physician for further discussion and clarification of this issue.  
Good luck.

Sincerely,

HFHS MD-JM

Keywords: Olfactory hallucination