Aa
Strange gas smell ...
Oookay, so, it's a little strange, really, because I've gotten this quite a few times over the last few years, and it usually lasts a week, sometimes less, but it's never been this strong. When I breathe in and ESPECIALLY when I breathe out I can smell gasoline, but it smells a little sweeter... It's weird and it annoys me and is distracting me from my work. Anyways, I've developed a very dry throat, my eyes have been watering constantly, and I seem to be having a harder time concentrating than usual (like my mind has become fuzzy or something), and it's not just because of the smell ... I looked up the other nose smelly things, but it all involves mysterious smoke smells, or some symptoms that I haven't had, luckily.
I've never had asthma, nor any other respiratory problems in my life, and I haven't been doing anything strange, like drugs or a different diet ... so what the heck is this? I don't want to assume the worst, but it won't stop! It happens, oh, let's say, every couple of months, and the smell comes and goes, but now it's constant, every time I breathe in AND out. It's sickening! Any help?
I've never had asthma, nor any other respiratory problems in my life, and I haven't been doing anything strange, like drugs or a different diet ... so what the heck is this? I don't want to assume the worst, but it won't stop! It happens, oh, let's say, every couple of months, and the smell comes and goes, but now it's constant, every time I breathe in AND out. It's sickening! Any help?
I smell exhaust like when you are on a plane at the gate and at times my eyes water and I feel nauseous as if I actually did, yet, according to everyone else there is no exhaust smell.
Wow! Am looking for an answer to this disgusting 'exhaust-like' smell condition….so many theories. Your post caught my attention, however, because I, too, have been taking Chantix. I actually only took it for a little less than 2 weeks. I'm not sure when the 'smell' started…as soon as I was taking the full dose (the second week), I think. The nausea and bloating were so bad that I quit taking it. I'm still not smoking (18 days) but the 'smell' issue is disturbing, to say the least. I had read so many posts with no mention of anyone quitting smoking or taking Chantix, I was beginning to think the timing was coincidental. Not so sure, now.
I am having this same issue. Went to dr today and he has ordered a ct scan and possible visit to ent. Omg. This is awful. Taste and smell all gas! Deb
Hello, I've got the same thing here: faint gasoline smell, stronger when breathing out, makes my head fuzzy, terribly annoying.
I've got a few more notes to add to this bulletin board:
>I have had this once or twice before, never lasting long (day or two), but never has it been preceded by a sinus infection. In fact, I have never had a sinus infection at all.
>I'm not on, nor have ever been on, prescription medication.
>I do, however, suffer seasonal allergies that occasionally cause sneezing, but I have never noticed the smell appear alongside my allergies.
>My sister suffered the same thing for a while, and claimed to have researched and found that it is caused by some sort of nutritional deficiency; I cannot find anything to confirm this. Has anyone else?
Oh, and since I've spent a few days dissecting exactly how to describe this sensation, I'll add on a more exhaustive list of my symptoms:
-- Gasoline smell: not exactly gasoline; it has the same chemical strength, and bitter edge that threatens to bring about a migraine, but it almost seems to be kind of woodsy, like a fire.
-- "Smell": more of a sensation in the very back of my nose, around the sinuses. It's always there, but when I breathe out it is much more prominent. My actual sense of smell is not inhibited in the least.
--Head fuzziness: the vague almost-out-of-body you get when incredibly exhausted. No cognitive or functional impairment that I've noted, though it should be recognized that I don't live a particularly mentally strenuous life.
That's all from me, just thought I should add this.
I've got a few more notes to add to this bulletin board:
>I have had this once or twice before, never lasting long (day or two), but never has it been preceded by a sinus infection. In fact, I have never had a sinus infection at all.
>I'm not on, nor have ever been on, prescription medication.
>I do, however, suffer seasonal allergies that occasionally cause sneezing, but I have never noticed the smell appear alongside my allergies.
>My sister suffered the same thing for a while, and claimed to have researched and found that it is caused by some sort of nutritional deficiency; I cannot find anything to confirm this. Has anyone else?
Oh, and since I've spent a few days dissecting exactly how to describe this sensation, I'll add on a more exhaustive list of my symptoms:
-- Gasoline smell: not exactly gasoline; it has the same chemical strength, and bitter edge that threatens to bring about a migraine, but it almost seems to be kind of woodsy, like a fire.
-- "Smell": more of a sensation in the very back of my nose, around the sinuses. It's always there, but when I breathe out it is much more prominent. My actual sense of smell is not inhibited in the least.
--Head fuzziness: the vague almost-out-of-body you get when incredibly exhausted. No cognitive or functional impairment that I've noted, though it should be recognized that I don't live a particularly mentally strenuous life.
That's all from me, just thought I should add this.
To Mrs Flydude,
You may have hit onto a possible cause for the gas/fumes smell with the comment on the old Amalgam fillings. I know they do break down after many years and become toxic to some.
I have had the gas/fuel/tar/mothball however you describe it, for several years. I am of average health with a Acoustical Neuroma, and have allergies. I do take shots for the allergies along with medications like Allegra and Singulair for them. I also take Doxycycline everyday. Have been on these meds for more than 2 years. I also have tinnitus all the time but mostly notice it at night as well as the 'gasoline' smell at night. Rarely in the daytime. Just like all these other folks I am the only one in my house that smells it. In the beginning I wondered around my house at night trying to find where it was coming from. No luck. So, one would think being on antibiotics and allergy meds I would not be experiencing this. Like several of the people mention, it can be so strong that it is nauseating and since it happens mostly at night, it interferes wit sleep. I am going to a Neurologist this month as well as an ENT Dr. I hope to find the reason for it. My PCP referred me to the Neurologist. We shall see if he can shed any light on this as I read here so many folks suffer from this. At this particular moment the 'fumes/gas' is very strong.
You may have hit onto a possible cause for the gas/fumes smell with the comment on the old Amalgam fillings. I know they do break down after many years and become toxic to some.
I have had the gas/fuel/tar/mothball however you describe it, for several years. I am of average health with a Acoustical Neuroma, and have allergies. I do take shots for the allergies along with medications like Allegra and Singulair for them. I also take Doxycycline everyday. Have been on these meds for more than 2 years. I also have tinnitus all the time but mostly notice it at night as well as the 'gasoline' smell at night. Rarely in the daytime. Just like all these other folks I am the only one in my house that smells it. In the beginning I wondered around my house at night trying to find where it was coming from. No luck. So, one would think being on antibiotics and allergy meds I would not be experiencing this. Like several of the people mention, it can be so strong that it is nauseating and since it happens mostly at night, it interferes wit sleep. I am going to a Neurologist this month as well as an ENT Dr. I hope to find the reason for it. My PCP referred me to the Neurologist. We shall see if he can shed any light on this as I read here so many folks suffer from this. At this particular moment the 'fumes/gas' is very strong.
God Bless You All!!! I thought I was totally insane and out of sheer frustration I typed the question and here I am. Wow!! Thank you all also because this is like a huge weight off of me. It's horrible to have people tell me it's a figment of my imagination when I know it is real. Thank you for all the suggestions. Im starting with zinc and will keep reading and trying things out til it goes away.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Ear, Nose & Throat Community
Think a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss? Here are five warning signs to watch for.
Discover the common causes of and treatments for a sore throat.
Learn about what actually causes your temperature to spike.
Find out which foods you should watch out for.
Family medicine doctor Enoch Choi, MD helps differentiate between the common cold and more threatening (bacterial) infections
Dr. Steven Park reveals 5 reasons why breathing through your nose could change your life
