Smelling smoke

[Purple Fish]

Hi, I haven’t been on here for such a long time so I guess I’ve been ok but over the last couple of weeks I feel like my health anxiety is returning. All the signs are there again. Not sure if it’s because I’ve had my fluoxetine reduced from 20mg to 15mg around 2’months ago?
I had covid 6 weeks ago and now I can sometimes smell smoke, like cigarette smoke but no one smokes at home. My sinuses feel blocked and so after Googling it could be a brain tumour. I can’t believe I’m feeling like this again with anxiety. I can’t concentrate on anything but these thoughts. I’m so scared.

[nomorepanic]

Google will always give you some form of cancer or serious illness.

It is just your HA playing tricks on you again.

[Purple Fish]

Yes it always does and I tell other people not to Google symptoms and then I go and do it! It’s as if I want to read ‘You have NOT got a brain tumour!’
Not sure why my HA has reared its ugly head after all this time but if I’m going to struggle it will always be Nov-Feb time. Always starts with a symptom that I google and then escalates when I read the C word.

[Anglo]

For weeks I kept smelling cigarette smoke and it scared me a lot as I didn’t smoke. Turns out my neighbour picked up smoking again and it would waft into my bedroom. Imagine how relieved (and silly) I felt.

Every now and then I smell smoke and get anxious. Then I open a window or go outside and realise it’s people’s chimneys. Relief and feeling silly.

I woke up the other day to a strong smell of cigarettes. Immediate anxiety. Then I remembered a family member asked if I’d been smoking earlier that night (so they must’ve smelt it too, maybe I’d been near someone who smokes?). Relief and silly.

I get random smells a lot and it always makes me anxious until I remember that my anxiety can make me hyper aware of scents and smells and that helps me calm down and not overthink it as much. If your anxiety is creeping back, maybe you’re becoming more hyper aware too.

Something to consider. Happy new year.

[Purple Fish]

I’m always in the same place when I get the scent up my nose. In my lounge sitting on the sofa. No one else in the house can smell it and it goes as quickly as it comes. I do agree with you relating it to a heightened anxiety making me hyper sensitive.

[EKB]

What you’re experiencing could be a longer term consequence of your COVID infection, and could very well just go away on its own. No need to worry about something horrible when you have your most likely cause right there. But I completely get why you are worrying over it (I’ve been going through a good old HA resurgence too, and my brain goes places… ugh).

If it’s any consolation, I’ve had phantom smells of cigarette smoke for many years, and I put it down to my chronic sinus inflammation. If it was from a brain tumour I’d likely be dead by now.

[Fishmanpa]

Speaking of smelling things... I shared this here in years past but worth telling again. I'm not one for spiritual things but this actually happened around 10/11 years ago.

I was diagnosed with Stage IVa H&N cancer in the Fall of 2013. In late Summer of 2013, I began to smell a perfume smell in our living room where I sat on the sofa. The best I can describe it would a perfume your grandmother would wear. I thought it was strange but didn't think too much about it. In late September of 2013, before I was diagnosed, I went on a business trip for a week. When I returned, I was sitting in the living room with my wife and I was telling her about the trip. During our conversation she said that she experienced the same thing I had (but I never shared it with her). She said she was sitting where I sit and smelled perfume! I spoke to my mother (RIP) and asked her what perfume my 'Mom Mom" (my mother's mother) used to wear. She told me and the next time we went to a store that carries perfumes, I found the brand my mother said and lo and behold, it was the same smell both my wife and I had been smelling in the living room! It carried on for a couple of months until my diagnosis then stopped. Again, I'm not spiritual but I took that as a sign I was going to be Ok. Here I am, over 10 years out and still cancer free ;)

Concerning smell/taste and anxiety? I've read hundreds of similar posts through the years and it's a known anxiety symptom or has a real life explanation.

FMP

[JimmyTaylor]

I'm sorry to hear that you're struggling with health anxiety again. It's important to acknowledge that reductions in medication dosage, such as your fluoxetine adjustment, can sometimes influence mental health. However, it's crucial not to jump to extreme conclusions based on symptoms, as anxiety can often magnify concerns. The smell of smoke and sinus issues could be attributed to various factors, including post-COVID effects or common respiratory conditions. It's advisable to consult with your healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms, medication adjustments, and explore coping strategies for anxiety. Remember that professional guidance and open communication about your concerns can help address your worries and provide reassurance. I also would like to help you by sharing the https://casinosanalyzer.com/online-casinos/jeton website link with you where you will find online real money gaming sites. If you want to earn real money then you can visit the given link where you will find those sites through which you can make easy money.

[lees6655]

Hi not been on here for a while but I have had the same in the past lots of times . I have smelled cigarette smoke but nobody in my house smokes I have never smoked either . I have put it down to sinus problems as I have a lot of problems with my sinuses but nothing serious hope this helps

[Miu medical billing]

Hello do not sad man . Contact your healthcare provider regarding the medication change and recent symptoms. Minimize online searches and seek guidance from a mental health professional to manage anxiety.

[Pkstracy]

my mom never smelled any off smells, she just had horrible headaches that would make her pass out or sick to her stomach and feel very weak. I sometimes will also smell smoke, and I am on the second floor of an apartment building, come to find out someone goes out to the dog park at night as we really aren't allowed to smoke around the buildings or inside, one of the neighbors took up smoking again and my window looks out over the dog park.

[Swanee]

I had a long standing sinusitis bout last year during which I constantly smelled cigarette smoke. Nobody smokes in our house.
It disappeared when my sinusitis cleared up. I'm a very long term health anxiety sufferer, so I know how reassurance from someone who has shared a similar experience can help. I hope this reassures you. X

[ErinKC]

I would guess it's most likely either due to Covid or (because it's in the same spot every time) there is actually something around that area you're smelling.

I had Covid this past May and it was a huge anxiety trigger for me. I wasn't even particularly anxious while I had it, but my anxiety flared for several weeks afterward and I had lingering dizziness for a few months. It's all resolved, but it can definitely leave you with some oddities for a while!