phantom cigarette smell

[malaikaz]

I know this sounds very bizarre but I have this cigarette smell and taste. I've never smoked and Im not around any smokers. No matter how much I brush my teeth or spray perfume it wont go away.

This happened to me one year ago. At this time, I was also experiencing dizziness and vertigo. I was in Tanzania and chalked it up to something the air. The dizziness and vertigo ended up being an inner ear issue (Superior Canal Dehiscense & Perilymph Fistula).

I dont know this is from but it is driving me crazy! I feel crazy mentioning it to anyone.

[MouseLove]

Also, to let you know, this may have nothing whatsoever to do with a brain tumor, neurology, polyps, etc.  It could be related to Thyroid disease, prolonged use of NSAIDs or Chronic EBV.  Keep a journal of when it comes and goes.  

[malaikaz]

Thanks! I never drink alcohol. I did have allergies the whole time I was in Tanzania (5 weeks). When I returned home I had Neurology work up and saw multiple ENTS & Neuro-otologists to diagnose my the cause of my dizziness. I also had a brain MRI and brain CT/Angio. It was all normal except some clogged sinuses. I do have a history of Acid Reflux and allergies. The smell seems to come and go. It was exactly 1 year ago I had this first occurence in Tanzania.

Thanks for replying!!!!!

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
You could be suffering from olfactory hallucination or phantosmia or phantom smell. It is usually due to seizure (temporal lobe epilepsy), or due to schizophrenia or depression or due to an aura of migraine. After drinking too much alcohol you can have olfactory hallucinations which affect your taste. This is usually a withdrawal symptom. However, if it is persisting, alcoholic hepatitis should be ruled out.  It can also be due to a problem in olfactory receptor mechanism. This could be due to a smell getting trapped by nasal polyps or tumors. Sinusitis with post nasal drip can cause both a phantom smell and nausea and this should be investigated first by an ENT.  Persisting phantosmia can also be due to brain tumors. Since it can be something serious, you should be seen by a psychiatrist, ENT specialist and a neurologist. It is difficult to comment beyond this at this stage. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.