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Avatar universal

desperate for help, somebody please helppp...

I've been having this really bad smell in my nose for over 3 years now, it also causes my breath to smell bad and the food I eat to taste different. I don't know what is causing it and nobody has been able to help me so far. I've tried to get help in every way, but everybody thinks it's my imagination or thinks that i'm crazy. Seriously, who who want to imagine they they have bad breath and smell stinky stuff all day, it's serious and nobody seems to understand. I've talked to my physician,dentist, been to a ear,nose and throat doctor, still nothing. I had a CAT scan and everything is negative. It is ruining my life, making me insecure, embarassed and anti-social. I hold my breath when I talk to people everyday, scared that they will smell the bad odor. The bad smell comes and goes throughout the day, but it is there for most of the day. When this smell comes, my throat hurts a little, I have some drainage, and the area around my nose hurt. I have good personal hygiene, brush/floss my teeth three times a day, tried using mouthwash, sinus rinses, antibiotics, allergy medicines, use gum, breath mints, but nothing helps. This problem is making me miserable and nobody understands how I feel and how bad it is affecting my life. I wish somebody will be able to diagnose my problem asap. I don't know what it is and feel so helpless. I know the smell is strong because people always touch their nose around me, put a piece of gum in their mouth, pretend to yawn to smell their breath to make sure the bad smell is not coming from their mouth, or offer me a piece of gum/mint when I talk to them, especially at work, when I help my customers. I've tried just about everything, even brushing my teeth does not help my problem, it makes it a little better, but the bad odor is still there. I don't know what else I can do, but I am living in misery. If anyone out there can help me or give me advice, please do so...thanks... = {
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Avatar universal
Hello everyone,

I'm so glad I found an active thread talking about this problem. I've had this "bad smell" for about 5 years now. In the beginning, it wasn't as active but recently I've been getting it almost every day. Things such as laughing, sneezing, breathing too hard, shooting a gun, talking too loud, blowing my nose, or coughing will trigger this bad smell. I've even noticed that it's only in one nostril; my left nostril. It's weird though, sometimes I forget I have this condition and I go for weeks to months without smelling anything but right when I remember or think about it, the smell reappears magically. Also, like what most of you have said, this condition does ruin the taste of food and also gives off a really bad taste in my mouth; almost like metal mixed with chemicals...

Recently, I've found a way to quickly fix this "bad smell" condition but it will not cure it. What I basically do is, bend over while I'm on my knees until my head is touching the floor (this position will bring pressure or blood into your head), then I simply pinch my nostrils together as hard as I can (so that air will not travel in), and lastly, I breathe in air as hard as I can; sometimes until my ears pop. I recommend doing this for at least 1 to 3 minutes straight or until the smell is gone. You will feel very lightheaded so be careful when getting up.

I hope that everyone on this thread will keep in touch and will post when they find out about a cure or different ways to relieve this condition.

Michelle Aung
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Avatar universal
I have experienced the same.  As a nurse, I have used this remedy-cleanse the inside of your nose with half peroxide half water using Q tips, then dry with clean Q tips, apply an over the counter antifungal cream using Q tips.  Fungus grows in warm, moist areas and causes a foul smell,  This can be done as often as necessary.  If this doesn't help, please consult your Doctor.
Good Luck
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Avatar universal
I should also mention that it could be phantosmia (Google it), which could be the result of nerve problems, tumor, or many other things, which is why I would recommend a visit to an ENT first.
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Avatar universal
All I can tell you is some of the things I've noted here on this forum, with no guarantees.
1.  Some people, including myself, have had a smell that only they can smell.  It could smell like dog-poop, old cheese, ammonia, a burning smell, etc.  The smell comes on, often, as a result of a cold or sinus infection. Some, not all, of these smells are caused by an anaerobic bacteria thriving in the upper sinuses, and I was able to remove mine with a Flip-Turn Sinus Flush, and other people have had success with it as well
http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/2322
2.  Some people had the smell, but were able to get rid of it with long-term antibiotics.
3.  Some people had cysts or polyps, which blocked off parts of their sinuses, and created a pocket of infection.  One woman, after reading my journal, made an appointment with Dr. Murray Grossan, who invented the Grossan Irrigation Machine, and he removed her cyst and the smell went away.
4.  One man did a sinus flush, and some white tofu-like chunks came out.  The smell actually got worse for a while, then went back to normal.
5.  Many people, particularly the ones who have a strong odor that other people are revolted by, had no change at all after doing a Sinus Flush.
6.  One woman found out that the smell was coming from a cracked tooth that her dentist was unable to find, but was discovered by a different dentist.
7.  Some smells can come from liver or kidney diseases, or from acid reflux in the stomach.
8.  Some smells can come from having a bad mix of bacteria in the intestines, and somehow the smell comes out through the sinuses or lungs.  The best solution that I have seen is The Schwarzbein Principle by Dr. Diana Schwarzbein, MD.
9.  There is a disease called atrophic rhinitis, which involves the decay of the mucus membranes in the sinuses.  I don’t know much about it, that’s what ENTs and Google are for.
10.  There are people who have been to multiple ENTs, and the doctors are completely mystified.
11.  Finally, there may be a possibly be a fungal infection that doesn’t flush out with saline, but that’s just a hypothesis.

Your problem sounds mostly like problem #1
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Avatar universal
I have a permanent musty smell in the back of my nose which has developed in the last 2 months.sometimes can be so overpowering it makes my eyes water.  my breathing is fine and have no  cold or flu symptoms.  

Kath
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Avatar universal
Thanks, I will try this soon, I'm praying this will work, I'm down to my last hope with this problem, thanks for sharing.
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Avatar universal
Go to my comment on the other post you made, "Bad Smell in Nose".  It sounds just like the other people with the horrible stench.  Like I say, it's most likely an anaerobic bacteria in the upper sinuses with no other sinusitis symptoms, so it doesn't fit the usual model that physicians are looking for.  Also, in many instances it will respond to antibiotics, but a sinus flush works well.  Look at the last comments and see what antibiotics AND a flush can do.

http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/2322

The Flip-Turn Sinus Flush is mildly risky, because you have to bend over to do it, preferably in a shower, but you can also do it outside on soft ground.
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