Weird question

[Cricketk92]

ABout 10 years ago I started having olfactory hallucinations.  I was always smelling smoke.  I had a lot of tests done...they looked for seizure disorder, migraines, Schizophrenia.... did brain scans...all kinds of stuff but everything came back normal.  I guess I just got used to smelling it!  Once I started on the hydrocodone 7 years ago the smell became less and less and eventually went away.  I didnt think much about it anymore.  But last night I started smelling it again and it has been with me all day!  Has anyone ever had anything like this happen?  Were the opiates "hiding" something?  SHould I not worry about it?  The timing is kind of weird being off the opiates for almost 3 weeks and it has come back!  Any words of wisdom for this one?  

[ScarrieAnne]

I am glad to see you continuing to be well! I just wanted to add that my sense of smell came back with a vengeance! I smell a weird smoky/dusty smell, but only in my bedroom, and no one else in my house can smell it. I am not too concerned, but it is a little strange. I wouldn't worry about it!

[Merri123]

I know your sense of smell heightens. I too smelled smoke after stopping. Food tastes different too at times. It is normal.

[msdelight]

At a girl! Keep moving ahead and looking for the good news!

[Cricketk92]

Thanks!  Weaver you are right!  If its only the smelling of smoke that comes back then I am pretty lucky!  After what you went through Im sure you wish it was just burnt toast!  I will adjust and get used to it again and not let it worry me since all the tests showed nothing!  And it is worth it to get my body mind and spirit back!!!  
msd I love what you said!  I am going to think of it that way!  Ive had a lot of death around me my whole life....It could be my Mom!  The smoke smells like my fathers pipe tobacco (hes still alive) and she always hated the smell and was always a jokester so perhaps it is her way of letting me know she is with me!  So Im not going to worry about it!  Ill just keep on plugging along in this new life I have!!!!!  :)

[msdelight]

Hey cricket, I wouldnt worry about it. For sure, opiates do something to our olfactory organs. When I first got clean I was suddenly smelling all kinds of things. It seemed my nose was suddenly working again, and the sneezing (which I still have after 15 months) is all a part of that. Since you asked this as a weird question, and your tests were normal, I'm going to give you a weird answer. Smelling smoke where none exists is often associated with spirits and angels. Perhaps there is someone who has passed on hanging around you. Looking out,  and keeping you safe. Congratulations on your three weeks clean! You will find as time goes on that all sorts of things start waking up.

[weaver71]

I had all but forgot about my bipolar, though I still felt the cycles, they didn't really affect my life so much. I'd say right at 120 days, it came back with full force, so yes, I did have underlying issues masked by opiates. I wish I only smelled burnt toast, or whatever, bipolar makes me go totally crazy. If it isn't actually hurting you or anyone else, then I say it's not a major problem. We all have variations we have to cope with, I'm glad it's only an odd smell, that shouldn't be too overwhelming. Lots of things happen after detox, we just have to adjust as they arise. Is it worth smelling smoke, to gain your body, mind, and spirit back? That's the real question, are the consequences worth it? I don't think its a major problem, just my opinion.