This sounds like a ridiculous question but I seem to have a heightened sense of smell. It's not nice smells, I tend to notice horrible smells when other people can't smell it. I doubt that this is a fibro issue but I'm too embarrassed to ask my doctor. Does anyone else have this? Sorry for such a daft post. 😳
Sense of smell : This sounds like a... - Fibromyalgia Acti...
Sense of smell
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Piddlysmam
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I too have heightened smell of any chemical based product from magazine pages, glues, Shoe Polish, windscreen cleaner to name only a few. My husband can’t understand as to him the smell is negligible. To me it is a stressor & makes me feel nauseous. I have not mentioned it to my doctor. I have found on Twitter #MEAwarenesshour that many fibro/ME sufferers notice these smells.
Thanks for your reply. At least I'm not alone. Do you think it's anything to do with fibro?
I had always thought it was due to M.E. because I experienced it for many years before I was diagnosed with fibro. If you use Twitter I suggest logging in there any Wednesdays 8-9pm Uk time & using the hash tag #MEawarenesshour & asking there. We have a large group of ME& fibro sufferers including some doctors who also suffer from it.
Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately I don't have twitter and being a technophobe I wouldn't know where to start 😅
Well I could ask on your behalf next Wednesday if you like? We may see what group suffers from it most.
I wonder now if Long COVID sufferers experience this affect also.
I shall ask as many LongCovid people are joining our M.E. group
Thank you. That would be very helpful. I have had this problem for a few years now but wasn't sure if I was just going mad!🥴 It's probably not relevant but I've not had covid at all yet. I look forward to hearing what you find out. Thanks again. 😊
Hey I find this an interesting one and also confusing. Back in December 2018 I had the flu virus I was in bed for over a week, went to the Dr's and I was in no fit state, hubby even had to dress me. Dr said I had Flu Virus took temperature etc. A while after , maybe 2/3 months, I found a vile smells that changed to different horrible smells up my nose it was horrendous and it jumped between that and no sense of smell whatsoever . So I was referred to Benenden and Consultant told me it was Rhinitis as a result of Flu Virus. He told me if my sense of smell hadn't returned within a year then it won't. Well I haven't had the bad smell now for a while and my sense of smell has returned somewhat with mainly only strong smelling odours. What I began to think was that I had Flu end of 2018 and we had first lock down March 2019 I had all the symptoms of Covid it's just we hadn't heard about it then ,I didn't realise it was also part of Fibro but it could be either of the above. I really sympathise with you for the continuous horrid smells,
it was stomach turning for me thankfully it hasn't returned xx good luck
It does sound like you had covid before it became general knowledge. I have heard of a few people with the same experience. Most of the time my sense of smell is reasonably ok with the exception of washing powders and the bad smells aren't continuous like yours was.
I feel better about it knowing now that I'm not alone in this.
Hey PiddlysmamI absolutely believe I had Covid. There were more symptoms for that than Flu or any such as like.,especially now that more symptoms have been found as time goes on symptoms that I had which makes me more convinced.
So no your not alone with the foul smell issue, it seems it's more prevalent than I ever knew.
I think long COVID sufferers have the opposite problem, where it takes ages to get their sense of smell back.
I think I'd prefer not to have the ability to smell things rather than what I've got now. It can make life quite uncomfortable at times.
Sorry you are suffering with it. I’ve had things like that before, where I had a strong smell all the time, it turned out to be sinuses.
Ukulelelady1It took my sense of smell 2yrs to return and it's still not totally and the occasional bad smell but nobody g as it used to be.
Hazel_AngelstarAdministratorFMA UK Staff
This is something that some people with fibromyalgia find - sensory overload can affect your sense of smell
Thanks 😊 Apart from this unwanted ability to smell unpleasant things, I do get a problem with noise. Sometimes it's ok but other days in the same situation I feel bombarded with noise and everything seems extremely loud. It drives me mad.
Thank you so much. I would never have known to ask these questions. Yes, I can't tolerate noises that don't bother other people, and I am also sensitive to smells.
You're welcome. As I am not face to face with anyone here it's not quite such a problem making a fool out of myself 😂😂I have had this problem for a few years now but thought it might just be me being odd! Welcome to the odd club 😉
Yes I have a problem with certain noises and smells. Fibromyalgia can make your senses go into high alert. Other people don't understand why they bother us.x
Thank you 😊 It's so reassuring to know that other people have the same sort of thing.
My smell leaves me and returns so it's not that I can smell things because the smell is a strong smell. Does it smell like a burning smell or sulpher kind of smell.. You could have a sinus issue which is common. I can only smell alcohol of a purfume rather than the smell of the purfume but I can smell the most disgusting smells at the same time so I've got a sense of smell with some things but not all. Just ask the doctor its not strange
No it's not a burning or sulphur type smell. It seems to be anything that is sour or just plain horrible like bad breath, dirty clothes etc. I don't have to be that close to smell it. No one else seems to notice anything.
Thanks for this post. I have been continuously testing for covid and been negative. Good to know.
I'm the same - both heightened sense of smell and hearing. Only recently diagnosed with fibro but was told heightened senses is a symptom.
Sorry about your fibro but very grateful that you have the same problem that I have. Thanks 😊
Me too! A ridiculously strong sense of smell and I feel overwhelmed with hectic and noisy situations. Sadly not all odours are pleasant!! 🙄
Exactly the same. I wouldn't mind if I had the same ability with nice smells.😏
I have suffered with this for 20+ years it is very debilitating, perfumes/aftershave of any kind, cigarette smoke, cleaning products including laundry powder/softener, soap, shampoo, deodorant, petrol, antibacterial products. flowers. I was told by the Consultant that diagnosed ME it’s something I have to learn to live with & just avoid, it’s very difficult situation and can cause my speech to slur, massive headaches, nausea, dizziness, & to pass out, Smells along with lights and noise affect me so badly I do not go out unless it’s absolutely necessary.
That is terrible. I'm nowhere near as bad as that although I hate having to go down the washing powder aisle at the supermarket.
I don’t shop, the lights would floor me, I use Ecover Zero products
I'm ok with lights usually, it's noise and smells that I struggle with.
I had to be in hospital for 5 days and it was the worst time ever, the nurses did not understand my problems at all, they looked at me as if I was mad even when I passed out in the corridor trying to get away from all the smells, lights and noise.The nurses washed their clothes in such strong laundry liquid/powder, one auxiliary (or whatever they are called now) insisted on turning on a radio full blast, they just didn’t want to know or understand.
There was nowhere to go I sat in the bathroom most of the time in the end I signed myself out.
That's terrible. Unfortunately, no one else seems to understand what we experience so we just have to do our best to manage these situations as they occur. 😪
I sympathise with you greatly. As well as having an acute sense of smell, I also suffer from allergies to chemicals, and that has an adverse affect on my health. Even passing someone in the street can cause a reaction to washing powders on clothing etc., which is magnified greatly with strong smells. I get migraines very easily due to strong smells, and when you smell these more than others it can make you miserable. I wonder if it has anything to do with being anxious, I am anxious by nature, (and highly suspect I’m on the autism spectrum - I did an on-line test that seemed to suggest this was the case too, but there’s a five year waiting list for diagnosis at my local health authority, and they are prioritising people who work - which I can’t thanks to fibro) and wonder if there’s a link between stress/anxiety and adrenaline; these things heighten your senses, not just smell.
Same problem with chemicals. I don’t suffer with anxiety thank goodness. It was a consultant Immunologist and Allergist in Newcastle who said It’s part of ME & Fibromyalgia and nothing can be done 😢
That’s interesting, I didn’t realise it was part of the condition.
Mine is the opposite, I've lost my sense of smell unless I am right up close, but like someone else has said my hearing has highlighted, I hear things that other people do not. It maybe in my head ? 😕
I do seem to hear things that seem to occur as I'm listening to something or someone else. I can't really describe it but it's really weird.
I forgot to mention in my reply (above) my hearing is also super sensitive, and can even hear things not audible to most other people.
My hearing isn't brilliant when in a busy environment plus I have tinnitus in one ear. I do still hear things that seem very clear but not from whoever I'm with. I can't really explain exactly what I mean so I don't tend to tell others incase they think I'm losing the plot. 😂
Well, to be honest, I also have tinnitus, but it’s intermittent, when it gets very loud, my hearing dips then (I only get it in one ear at a time - and had a brain scan, because most people have it in both ears, or so I was told). When it happens though I can still hear out of the other ear.
I had to have a brain scan too. Mine is still in the same ear which I can hear through. Mine seems louder if I'm stressed, unwell or tired. I'm used to it now but there are times when it gets me down.
Sorry I missed your reply. Yes, I know what you mean, if you are stressed/unwell it does seem to make it worse!
Have the same issues I can smell meds burning smell and I cannot smell certain things candles or perfumes I tend to get headaches etc
So do I! I thought it was just me who smells things others can't. I've reported numerous gas leaks outside to the emergency services. It can be a disadvantage in certain situations. There are some magazines that have a horrible smell.
It's very reassuring to know that others have this as well. I felt like a right plonker posting this question!
Me too! They gas board should be used to me ringing them now 🙈. At least we are doing a public service though! What always gets me is how they ask for grid references to locate them. Next time it happens, I’m going to use the What three words” app.
Yes I have a heightened smell, I smell to much, all the nasty smells, I think I could be one of those dogs which sniff out certain smells
Ha ha ha 😂 nice It's a right nuisance at times 😏
Maybe you can find drugs at the airport! Or scary cadavers down a dark, moonlit path... 😏 🐺 Maybe you'll find your soul mate!
Looking for somethin' good! ARF!
Ha ha ha 😂 You can keep the cadavers!😝
Yes, I also have heightened sense of smell and hearing. I find it a constant problem as I can detect BO from quite a distance. Not mine I hasten to add.
It's horrible isn't it, like you I can smell unwashed bodies or clothes and bad breath too, both without being that close.
I think this disease also affects the sense of smell, I also feel some strong odors, but worse than this wound I have in my nose and for about six months the cream prescribed by the doctor does not work and except The horrible pains of burning inside my nose have also troubled me
Piddlysmam i too have this issue with MS and nasal polyps, to the point we cook outside alot.nausea, and occasionally asthma attacks with especially grease.i do not use purfumes now and air filters which paid off during covid also...my husband cant even smell our dogs!Good luck.
Your husband is very lucky. I haven't got as far as cooking outside but I do tend to burn scented candles to try to disguise/remove horrible smells. I have to be careful of which candles I buy. Sometimes it smells great the first time and then, suddenly I can't stand it. 😒
Yes me too, been like that for years, it is useful though when I used to drag the kids to school we never trod in the the doggy stuff because I smelt it before we were near it. I got told off by a super market security guard for smelling the packet of tea, they are lovely and the perfume, cleaning department and gardening areas (herbicides and pesticides) are off limits. I send a small child in there to retrieve what I need, they are useful too, well they were they are young adults now, drat! Anyone got a grand child they don't want.
I love the making use of a small child, that's brilliant 😂 Most of the cleaning stuff is reasonably OK, except bleach. And it's the washing powder that I can't stand. I take the new box outside to pour it into the storage tub because I can't stand it inside the house.
Have you considered using unscented washing powder/liquid, or do you find those bad too - as even they smell of something.
I'm ok using my usual washing powder and conditioner because once I've put the powder in a big plastic cereal tub I'm not overwhelmed by the smell. It is literally walking down the washing powder aisle in the supermarket and while I'm pouring the powder from the box into the tub. I always use fairy sensitive powder and conditioner I don't use any others because my skin seems to be irritated by them.
I’m the same, I tend to use Surecare, and find it’s more agreeable with my skin. I also use their washing up liquid, as a lot of the others are too scented. I refuse to use anything made by Proctor and Gamble, due to their testing on animals, so that rules all Fairy products out for me.
Yes I cant stand bleach but use it anyway because it does a far better job than most of these 'spray and wipe' things do and besides they are pretty powerful scent wise too. That Dettol air freshener was used in my apartment by a helpful person and I was almost evicted by it. The small children are now large and will not help with shopping anymore but Tesco's deliver 😀
I know what you mean about the other cleaning products, some of them are quite overpowering too. Isn't funny how we are all affected by different smells. Shame about those small children 😂 Good thing you can get your shopping delivered now. 😉
Hi I've been smelling cigarette smoke for the past three months I don't smoke nor does my husband I can smell it all the time it's doing my head in 😳 husband can't smell it
Have you had a workman in or visitor who smoked. I had my gas boiler serviced and kept smelling mentholyptus. It turned out the guy that did the service it had left half a packet in the cupboard the boiler lives in, every time the boiler kicked in they got warmed up a bit and let the vapours flow.
Yes I had that for the first time in 2009. Factory smells, fire/smoke, petrol, certain foods I used to love but now can't eat anymore
It seems that alot of us share this same 'ability ' 🤔
Hiya - I get that, too and have read in loads of articles that it’s a fibro thing. I always wondered why I was so sensitive to smells and finding out I have fibro has made so many things make sense.
I've only been diagnosed in the last year and I'm still finding out about the various symptoms of fibro. It looks like I've got a lot of reading to do.
Same here - nice to know what it is (and not feel like I’m making it up), but now a case of research. This is a great support group though x
It does give you a positive feeling when you know that you're not alone in these things. 😊
Yes, I have an acute sense of smell, I can smell things other people can’t. I’ve had it for years, but hadn’t put the two and two together with fibro (it was years before I got a diagnosis, it was only when one emergency doctor saw me with severe muscles spasms, that I was taken seriously).
There’s been at least two incidences of me having to call the gas board out because I could smell gas in the street, while out walking, and they’ve dug the road and pavement up, because there was a fractured pipe. I’ve said for many years I have the ‘nose of a blood hound’. I can smell things both nice and awful, when others can’t detect it (no matter how faint the smell). I’ve sometimes joked that I should get a job with the gas board as a gas detector 😂.
Hi, I asked on your behalf on Twitter & many of the fibro community there experience heightened sense of smell. They also had intolerance to light & sound. Some of them have both fibro & M.E.
Thanks alot for asking for me. At least I know I'm not the only one. 😊
I have just been diagnosed with fibromyalgia after 18 months. Been a long haul, but my GP has been good as I have had many tests and scans in this time.
I found this topic very interesting because if I smell a bonfire even for a short amount of time, then I smell this (absolutely disgusting, rancid ‘old’ bonfire smell) for the following 1 - 2 weeks after. I hate it and so get so paranoid if I go past a bonfire (I get this even if driving past one) . I also taste the bonfire when I’m eating. Has anyone else ever had this?
It’s amazing that all these anomalies now put together, makes sense somehow.
I don't tend to hang on to the smells for days at a time. Sometimes I don't even know where the smell is coming from, just the fact that I can smell something horrible. I absolutely hate it. I've had quite a bad 'smell' day at work today and some of them do last for a few hours. 🤢
I have a lot to learn yet about Fibromyalgia but is funny (well, not really funny at all ☹️) that all my ailments have been like pieces of a puzzle that have finally been put together.
I know just what you mean. Every day is a learning day.
It certainly is. Thank you for bringing this subject up 👍🏻
Ha ha 😂 you're welcome 😊
Hi there. Please do not think you are alone as i have heightened senses.I have had ME since 1994 and Fibro since 2016.
I cannot bare loud tv or music or anything loud, i hear the strangest things.
My sense of smell, like you is heightened too.
My eyes i have photophobia, intollerance to bright light, i wear my sunglasses all year round.
My taste buds put me off some food that has strong flavours.
Unfortunately i also have heightened pain all over my body affected by ME & Fibro.
I have had many tests for all my senses and there is not much that can be done.
If it becomes unbearable speak to your GP they are there to help and it is not daft, GPs deal with worse things.
Hope you stay well 😊😊
Thanks for your reply. My sense of smell isn't unbearable, it's just inconvenient at times. It's the same with my hearing. Sometimes everything seems too loud even if it's not.
I have worn reactivate lenses in my glasses for years as I can't cope with bright sunlight.
It's good to know that I'm not the only one, I just thought I might be a bit odd really. 😀
I get this too, I didn't think it was a symptom?! Even though I smoked for much of my adult life my sense of smell and taste always remained very high.
Perfumes, deodorants, oranges, any chemical or fake plastic smell used to make me really sick and dizzy. Sometimes even people ...
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