# My sniffer is broken - any suggestions? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 16, 2013, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-sniffer-is-broken-any-suggestions/671428 "2013-10-16T19:39:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-sniffer-is-broken-any-suggestions/671428/1 "2013-10-16T19:39:53Z")
For the last month, I’ve been smelling phantom smells, and things that would normally smell pleasant have smelled terrible. It’s the weirdest thing - one day I kept smelling cigarette smoke. I thought maybe I was sitting downwind from a smoking co-worker and got some secondhand smoke. I showered, washed my hair and changed my clothes after I went home, but could still smell the cigarette smoke. For days. Then I was smelling this acrid smell, sort of off and on. I even thought it was me - I changed my body wash and deodorant, but could still smell it. No one else seemed to be bothered by it. Then food started smelling just horrible - to the point where I didn’t want to cook or walk into the breakroom at work. I used my neti pot, thinking maybe I had some sort of sinus infection, despite not being stuffy or in pain. Nothing. Does anyone have any suggestions? StG ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-sniffer-is-broken-any-suggestions/671428/2 "2013-10-16T20:19:07Z")
Well, not to make light of the situation or alarm you, but if I learned anything from the too-soon-canceled detective show “The Unusuals” it is that phantom smells can indicate a brain tumor. Edit: I didn’t mean to leave my only cite as a fictional TV show. Here’s a link on the subject of phantom smells: [Phantom smells may be a sign of trouble](http://www.nbcnews.com/health/phantom-smells-may-be-sign-trouble-1C9926312) I’d see a doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-sniffer-is-broken-any-suggestions/671428/3 "2013-10-16T20:20:58Z")
Oliver Sacks’ last book, Hallucinations, describes something very similar, but in the context of people who had lost all or some of their sense of smell - anosmia or parosmia/dysosmia, I think - and whose minds were doing weird things as a result. I’m not qualified to render an opinion about it one way or another, and there’s no real recommendation to be had from the book, but your description really is strikingly similar. Maybe check it out. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-sniffer-is-broken-any-suggestions/671428/4 "2013-10-16T20:27:02Z")
Everyone would just be making wild guesses, imho. I think the two of the most common cause are head injury and respiratory tract infection. I guess I will be the first of many to say “You should probably ask your doctor”\*. Did anything unusual happen before the problem started? \*umm, second I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-sniffer-is-broken-any-suggestions/671428/5 "2013-10-16T20:37:22Z")
If you’re the owner of a uterus, you might want to have a pregnancy test. ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-sniffer-is-broken-any-suggestions/671428/6 "2013-10-16T20:49:30Z")
IANAD, but don’t fuck around with this any more. Go see a Dr. NOW! ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-sniffer-is-broken-any-suggestions/671428/7 "2013-10-16T20:51:31Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > If you’re the owner of a uterus, you might want to have a pregnancy test. Have one, currently unused and thankfully vacant. > [@CarnalK](#): > > Everyone would just be making wild guesses, imho. I think the two of the most common cause are head injury and respiratory tract infection. I guess I will be the first of many to say “You should probably ask your doctor”\*. > > Did anything unusual happen before the problem started? > > \*umm, second I guess. No head injury, but in Tennessee sinus issues are sadly common. Annual doctor visit in January. I’ll mention it if it’s still an issue. > [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](#): > > Oliver Sacks’ last book, Hallucinations, describes something very similar, but in the context of people who had lost all or some of their sense of smell - anosmia or parosmia/dysosmia, I think - and whose minds were doing weird things as a result. > > I’m not qualified to render an opinion about it one way or another, and there’s no real recommendation to be had from the book, but your description really is strikingly similar. Maybe check it out. I like Oliver Sacks’ work and will be glad to read it. My library has it on the shelf right now. Strangely, I remember my grandmother had virtually no sense of taste or smell. I don’t know when that started with her. > [@control-z](#): > > Well, not to make light of the situation or alarm you, but if I learned anything from the too-soon-canceled detective show “The Unusuals” it is that phantom smells can indicate a brain tumor. > > Edit: I didn’t mean to leave my only cite as a fictional TV show. Here’s a link on the subject of phantom smells: [Phantom smells may be a sign of trouble](http://www.nbcnews.com/health/phantom-smells-may-be-sign-trouble-1C9926312) > > I’d see a doctor. See above. I usually only go to the doctor once a year to get my thyroid levels checked and my prescription for thyroid hormone renewed. If things seem to be going south, I’ll make an appointment. Cancer is unfortunately common in my family, my mother had it twice and my non-smoking father died of lung cancer. I do sometimes have migraines, although non in this period. Thank you all for your input. I welcome any others StG ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-sniffer-is-broken-any-suggestions/671428/8 "2013-10-16T20:53:48Z")
Various vitamin and mineral deficiencies can impact your sense of smell, so it definitely doesn’t have to be something as serious as a brain tumor. But you absolutely should see a doctor. While there, be sure to go over any medications you are taking, whether prescription or over-the-counter. They can also potentially impact your sense of smell. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-sniffer-is-broken-any-suggestions/671428/9 "2013-10-16T20:59:32Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > I usually only go to the doctor once a year to get my thyroid levels checked and my prescription for thyroid hormone renewed. A quick google found an article on PubMed, [Defects of taste and smell in patients with hypothyroidism](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1163545) > [@](#): > > Before treatment, 9 of the 18 patients (50 per cent) were aware of some alteration in their sense of taste, and 7 of the 18 patients (39 per cent) were aware of some alteration in their sense of smell. Distoritions of tase (dysgeusia) and smell (dysosmia) were frequent complaints among the untreated patients; dysgeusia was observed by 7 patients (39 per cent) and dysosmia by 3 patients (17 per cent). You might want to have your levels checked sooner rather than later. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-sniffer-is-broken-any-suggestions/671428/10 "2013-10-16T21:00:46Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > No head injury, but in Tennessee sinus issues are sadly common. Annual doctor visit in January. I’ll mention it if it’s still an issue. I’d make at least a passing reference even if it settles back to normal. If it happened to me out of the blue my first scare would be “holy crap! Did I have a stroke?” ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-sniffer-is-broken-any-suggestions/671428/11 "2013-10-16T21:08:43Z")
I think you should see the doctor a hell of a lot sooner than January. This isn’t really the innocuous thing you seem to think it is. If your nose isn’t working properly, it could indicate something seriously wrong with your brain. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-sniffer-is-broken-any-suggestions/671428/12 "2013-10-16T21:09:49Z")
> [@SpoilerVirgin](#): > > A quick google found an article on PubMed, [Defects of taste and smell in patients with hypothyroidism](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1163545)You might want to have your levels checked sooner rather than later. That’s interesting. I’ve had my thyroid removed and am solely on artificial hormone. My thyroid wasn’t cancerous, but my sister, aunt and nephew have had thyroid cancer. My levels might be out of whack. I’ve also gained weight recently, and I don’t normally gain much weight. I attributed it to aging (I’m 52). Maybe if food continues to smell bad I’ll lose that extra weight. **CarnalK** - I didn’t have any suspicions at first, I thought it was my co-worker’s nasty habit. It just didn’t go away. Then it changed. StG ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-sniffer-is-broken-any-suggestions/671428/13 "2013-10-16T21:22:33Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > I think you should see the doctor a hell of a lot sooner than January. This isn’t really the innocuous thing you seem to think it is. If your nose isn’t working properly, it could indicate something seriously wrong with your brain. Really, this. The symptom is called an olefactory hallucination, and can signal something serious. It could be something nasty, and haste might be a good thing. Better to be a little alarmist and have it turn out to be relatively innocuous, than the opposite. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2013, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-sniffer-is-broken-any-suggestions/671428/14 "2013-10-17T00:15:48Z")
Do you get migraines? _Some_ people get [scent auras](http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/14/us-smells-migraines-idUSTRE79D4L120111014), most of which are burning or smoke related. I had one once myself during a period-based when I was getting thrice daily migraines: it was a burnt butterscotch smell. > [@](#): > > Usually, the pre-migraine scents are not sweet. “The most common was of the burning or smoke variety,” Robbins said. > > Some headache sufferers described a general burning smell, while others said they smelled cigar smoke, wood smoke or burned popcorn. > > After those burning scents, “decomposition” odors – like garbage or sewage – were the next most common. > > A few people did describe pleasant odors, including the scent of oranges, coffee or, in one case, foie gras. > > It’s not clear why the hallucinated odors are most often unpleasant – or why they are only rarely part of migraine aura. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2013, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-sniffer-is-broken-any-suggestions/671428/15 "2013-10-17T00:29:14Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > Do you get migraines? _Some_ people get [scent auras](http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/14/us-smells-migraines-idUSTRE79D4L120111014), most of which are burning or smoke related. I had one once myself during a period-based when I was getting thrice daily migraines: it was a burnt butterscotch smell. I have been a migraineur, but haven’t had one in months. I take Maxalt when I do get them. I guess this could be an asymptomatic migraine. StG ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2013, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-sniffer-is-broken-any-suggestions/671428/16 "2013-10-17T14:58:52Z")
Could be a seizure, too. Talk to your doc. Really. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2013, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-sniffer-is-broken-any-suggestions/671428/17 "2013-10-17T15:57:50Z")
**Qadgop, MD** - Thanks for your professional opinion. I will wait through the weekend and if it doesn’t subside I’ll call her office. Should I mention it when I go next year, if it does subside? StG