olfactory hallucinations?: Hello, Has... - Cure Parkinson's

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olfactory hallucinations?

pdkid profile image
17 Replies

Hello,

Has anyone ever experienced smelling something that isn't there?

Last night in the middle of the night my dad smelled smoke that wasn't there. He also had hallucinations of smoke. Usually his hallucinations are of bugs and dust. It was probably the change and increase in mucuna dosage that caused this, but just wanted to see if anyone else has knowledge or experience of this. We decreased the dose today, so we'll see what happens. We also finally ordered Niacin, hoping that it will decrease/alleviate his hallucinations. Thanks

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pdkid
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17 Replies
Jeansm profile image
Jeansm

Before diagnosis, I would often smell a sweet, sickly burning smell. I thought we had an electrical fire until eventually I realised the smell came and went in different locations. This was when my husband suggested a GP visit because he thought it was a sign of a brain tumour. The olfactory hallucinations pretty much disappeared when I started taking Sinemet (4 years ago). I still have the visual issue, but mainly restricted to spiders to my right (PD side) and only when medication wearing off. I also occasionally have vivid nightmares which I believe often go together with hallucinations.

pdkid profile image
pdkid in reply toJeansm

thanks for sharing, glad they went away...!

chartist profile image
chartist

There are many possible reasons for phantom odors (Phantosmia) and PD can be one cause.

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

Art

rebtar profile image
rebtar

Yes. smoke.

pdkid profile image
pdkid in reply torebtar

oh wow has your neurologist made any recommendations?

rebtar profile image
rebtar in reply topdkid

I haven’t asked. It’s occasional. One interesting detail. I use a sauna occasionally, and when I come out my sense of smell is much sharper.

Smokygirl profile image
Smokygirl

My husband is the Parky, not me. However, if I use a steroid nasal spray for my Hayfever I can smell cigarette smoke constantly.

I now only use an antihistamine nasal spray!

pdkid profile image
pdkid in reply toSmokygirl

huh, interesting... glad you figured it out!

fifthbird profile image
fifthbird

Interesting. Occasionally, I smell smoke when there is none. Never considered that it could be a PD symptom,

pdkid profile image
pdkid in reply tofifthbird

might be worth getting checked out...

Car exhaust. All the time. its horrible.

pdkid profile image
pdkid in reply to

has your neurologist recommended anything?

in reply topdkid

im 52 and suffocating to death from rigid chest wall muscles and diaphragms all PD caused....my nerologist recommended thart at the age of 51 after PD since 33......."your fcd"! good times ........48%lung and diminishing.....good luck.

kalea profile image
kalea

I also experienced smelling cigarettes smoke and i am not taking mucana nor L dopa

it comes and goes

i have had these smells for a while but you reminded me of it

hopefully it will subside

i pray to god every night to kill me off.

pdkid profile image
pdkid

in the end i think for my dad it was too much levodopa and a neupro patch dose... we reduced his patch from 16mg down to 12 and his hallucinations have disappeared. We couldn't go lower than 12 without him experiencing major freezing all day. we are going to further consult his neurologist on how to do this, as i think his patch is still causing unhealthy side effects.

kaypeeoh profile image
kaypeeoh

I had an attack of vertigo and an MRI said Multiple Sclerosis. I was put of Tysabri weekly IV infusions for a year. I didn't consider it serious but I'd had Olfactory Hallucinations since I was a teenager. I found while on the Tysabri the hallucinations stopped. And after quitting the med the hallucinations never came back.

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