Sensativity to certain smells

[SeizetheNight]

Hello all,

For the past few days, my sense of smell has been very sensative... I don't know if this is due to the epilepsy, or maybe the Topamax. I have been having some small issues with smells since the seizures started, a couple years ago, but they have been pretty minor. It has been a specific smell that I noticed the two times I was awake when a seizure started. Also, a few strong odors, like scented candles, caused me some anxienty.

Now, for the past few days, it seems that any slightly strong smell is amplified. Mostly perfumes and colognes. This has been stressing me out, because I work with people all day, and have been bombarded with many different strong scents. I don't know if I should get ahold of my neurologist, or wait for it to pass. I don't think it is an aura, because these are real smells, and different for each person I am around.

I guess I am just wondering if any one else has experienced this. Maybe it is a side effect of the topamax, or maybe it actually is some sort of aura. Who knows, maybe I am going crazy. All but one of my seizures have been t/c, and they happen about 5 months apart, usually when I am sleeping. I am not 'due' for the next one for a couple more months. So this new thing has got me a bit worried.

 

[Nakamova]

Scented candles cause me anxiety too...

Increased sensitivity to smells is often linked to hormonal changes, especially increases in estrogen. Pregnant women often develop a heightened sense of smell during pregnancy, and in general, women are more sensitive to smells than men. Increases in estrogen are also linked to seizures, so maybe that's going on with you.

 

[Endless]

Maybe it isn't the smells themselves making you sick. Maybe it's what the smells are made of.

The smelly stuff today like scented candles, new clothes, hand lotion, etc. is full of chemicals, not just the natural scents we think it is.

Most perfumes use either a synthetic base, or one that is made from a plant bulb that is related to the iris. Because there is so much daily exposure to it, many people are allergic to it or it causes their brain damage and they aren't aware of it. They breathe it in, they feel sick.

These days anything smelly - makeup, soap, laundry detergent, air freshener, cleaning products, perfume, deodorent, hairspray, shampoo, etc., even baby powder and baby wipes contains chemicals like acetone and formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is disguised by many names, like methylene diphenyl diisocyanate. Sneaky.

Some essential oils even contain chemicals. You have to be extremely careful.

The Neurotoxicology Association's Blog says:

Perfumes may produce toxic and more often allergic respiratory disorders (asthma), as well as neurological and cutaneous disorders... In 1986 the National Academy of Sciences targeted fragrances as one of the six categories of chemicals that should be given high priority for neurotoxicity testing. The other groups include insecticides, heavy metals, solvents, food additives and certain air pollutants. The report states that 95% of chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum. They include benzene derivatives, aldehydes, and many other known toxics and sensitizers - capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions.... A few chemicals found in fragrances known to be neurotoxic: hexachlorophene; acetyl-ethyl-tetramethyl-tetralin; zinc-pyridinethione; 2,4,dinitro-3-methyl-6-tert-butylanisole; 1-Butanol; 2-butanol; tert-Butanol; Isobutanol; t-Butyl Toluene. Neurotoxic properties of chemicals found in fragrances have caused testicular atrophy in lab animals as well as myelin disease. The myelin sheath protects the nerves and does not regenerate. (Compiled from TOXLINE database of fragrances industry and medical journals.)

And what's more:

SYMPTOMS PROVOKED BY FRAGRANCES INCLUDE: watery or dry eyes, double vision, sneezing, nasal congestion, sinusitis, tinnitus, ear pain, dizziness, vertigo, coughing, bronchitis, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, asthma, anaphylaxis, headaches, seizures, fatigue, confusion, disorientation, incoherence, short-term memory loss, inability to concentrate, nausea, lethargy, anxiety, irritability, depression, mood swings, restlessness, rashes, hives, eczema, flushing, muscle and joint pain, muscle weakness, irregular heart beat, hypertension, swollen lymph glands, and more. (Candida Research and Information Foundation, Perfume Survey, Winter 1989-90)

The article is definitely worth a read.
http://www.myspace.com/neurotoxassociation/blog/316641871


I don't know about you, but everything I use is unscented.

 

[SeizetheNight]

Thank you for the replies. That was a weird/uncomfortable past few days. I actually had one smell stick with me after I left work. I went home, ate, went running, showered, and still smelled it all night. So I am thinking it might have been some sort of aura. As far as the estrogen, I REALLY hope that is not the case, as I am a guy. I think this whole thing is over now though, hopefully. None of it actually made me sick, it was just strange to be smelling everything so strongly, and it was mostly only perfumes. I am guessing it was a chemical that they use to make the small last or something. Either way, I will bring it up to the neurologist when I see him next. Thanks again for the replies.

 

[Bee91]

I am extremely sensitive acetone (sp?). I dont know how it started but Im guessing it was because of all the ascetone they had to use to get the chords off of my head when I went to the hospital...

 

[RobinN]

Men have changes in hormones too, and estrogen is one of them.

http://www.antiaging-systems.com/ARTICLE-519/estrogen-male-hormone.htm

There are also foods known to be high in estrogen.

 

[matchu]

I am dealing with mice infestation and the smell is haunting me, others don't seem to smell what it is repulsive to me. One at a time I am getting rid of them, just can't wait till there all gone!