Strange gas smell ...

[Dierdra]

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?

[Tolkupois]

I'm back,
Went to the DR' s office and was checked out by physicians assistant. I was diagnosed with a sinus infection and given a prescription for liquid antibiotic.
I have mal absorption due to intestinal problems (I also have a picc line through which IV nutrients are administered on a daily basis) I also informed her that oral antibiotics don't work on me.I would likely require IV antibiotics.she was aghast and declared that they would never use IV antibiotics on a simple sinus infection.Well, I filled my prescription anyway. Five days later the odors that I've been smelling are largely gone, but I  still don't feel right. Sinus issues remain, ears are plugged...
My gut Dr. Ordered blood cultures, and they came back positive for a bacterial growth.
I've been ordered to the hospital for further tests, and, you got it! IV antibiotics.
I thought that I just caught a cold!

[Tolkupois]

It started about one week ago with a cold. Runny nose, plugged up ears. I used thick cotton swabs thinking that they would be safe to swab my ears with. Wrong! The cotton was very thin and I poked my ear drum. That's always scary. My nose is still running and the mucous has gotten darker kind of gray/green. About three or four days into this I could smell my post nasal drip.I was thinking that I  was smelling a sinus infection coming on. Two days later I was smelling sweet pipe tobacco, or wet paint throughout the day. Accompanied by a headache and elevated temperature 99-100° Also, my ears are still feeling plugged.
I've done  the sailine flush while on my back. This provides short term relief. I'll continue this through the Easter weekend then  go see the Dr. if there's no improvement. I like the fungal infection theories. Btw I have vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Also been noticing changes in my fingernails in the way of lines and a wavy appearance near some of the tips.I'll try to stay in touch.

[TheWindy]

Stick both of your pointer fingers up ur nose as deep as possible, but not enough to hurt. Using your two fingers at the time time, press the fingers toward each other. This is going to pinch the inside of your nose together. This worked for me, but I don't know if it will for anyone else

[laskalass]

I too have a mattress topper. I smell gas all the time when I breathe in and out. At first I kept thinking it was the stove and kept checking it to see if there was a gas leak. Another thing, I use a Cpap.... does anyone also have Apnea?? Maybe its related to the mask or something.  Its so annoying. It effects my appetite.

[Lulu5510]

I too have this phantom smell.  But I would add chest pounding to the gasoline smell.  Most of what I am reading has to do with with people's malady's.  But I would like to suggest one other thing I haven't read yet.  Recently I replaced my bed. As well I put a mattress topper on the bed.   This obviously does not suggest a condition, but an environmental condition causing this condition.  I have returned the topper and the weird gas smell has disappeared along with dizziness, nausea, and disorientation.  I have never felt so bad.  In reading about the topper composition there are 61 chemicals that make it up and is completely petroleum based.  I know this won't be the answer for many, but I am respectfully suggesting that you might want to check what is in your environment.

[jwcall]

In one of the previous posts, someone mentioned Candida mold which lives in our mouths (and surely in our nasal passage) and intestines.  Steroids and antibiotics kill the bacteria that keeps candida mold under control. For the last 10 years I have had spells where I have strange smells. I think they began after having steroid and strong antibiotic treatment for pneumonia that progressed from severe allergies at the time.I notice these smells typically occur during seasonal allergy and after it has rained.  I've suspected this could be what I've called molds or fungus blooms.

The following website speaks clearly to  candida overgrowth- why we need candida and what  causes it to cause our smell problems.

-  http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-8376/10-signs-you-have-candida-overgrowth-what-to-do-about-it.html

I strongly urge everyone to visit this site.  It lists almost all the symptoms people in these postings have and what can be done to self-treat or to go to a "functional medicine" doctor for treatment.

Here are the 10 common candida overgrowth symptoms -
-Severe seasonal allergies or itchy ears
-Strong sugar and refined carbohydrate cravings
-Skin and nail fungal infections (such as athlete’s foot or toenail fungus)
-Feeling tired and worn down or suffering from chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia
-Digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, or diarrhea
-Autoimmune disease such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Ulcerative colitis, Lupus, Psoriasis, Scleroderma or Multiple sclerosis
-Difficulty concentrating, poor memory, lack of focus, ADD, ADHD and brain fog
-Skin issues such as eczema, psoriasis, hives, and rashes
-Irritability, mood swings, anxiety, or depression
-Vaginal infections , urinary tract infections, rectal itching or vaginal itching

I plan to follow the advice on the website and will report back on the results.
Good luck to everyone who reads this.