Cigarette smoke, smell, taste 24/7 V A days probable result of surgical mistakes of TBI

[John Ward]

My problem started a few months ago with the smell of cigarette smoke occasionally.  Thought it was on my wife's cloths although no one in our household smokes.  No visitors smoke.  We do use a fire place. Totally smoke free environment. I have been to the VA Nashville, but this issue does not seem important to anyone, I can understand.  For me it has taken over my life. I eat,  drink, sleep, cigarettes .  I do have 2 brain tumors which Vanderbilt Hospital botched the removal in 2017.  The surgeon who did the pathway said the Neuro was very careless and was warned but cut a clear if branch to the frontal lobe, hemorrhage several hour, lack of oxygen caused progressive memory loss (all this document ed) now this.... I cannot get the V A to move.  Tumor is leaking, vision is declining, memory, hand s shaking getting worse. Anyone else had the Phantom smell of cigarettes.  The Phantom smell of Cigarette in particular seem to lead to stroke, seizure, Alzheimer's.  VA doctors admit it is a brain problem, possibly streaming from the 2017 aborted surgery.  Right now, I am a 66 year old proudly Retired US Army Veteran.  Saw Camp Eagle in 1971 the M1 Main BattleTank for many years after.  Hope to see my great grandkids.  But not going to tolerate everything I eat, smell, sleep being cigarettes much longer.  I will appreciate he'll more than you will ever know

Anybody else out here had this problem?

 

[ShrekTheTank]

Have you been seen by an ENT?  They will be the ones who can pinpoint the issue and help you fix it.  I had an issue after a cold where I lost all smell for 3 months.  and they were able to help.  

[paulstrgn]

I lost my sense of smell and taste after a cold, it has never come back. I saw an ENT about it and she told me it happens to some individuals. Most food taste bad now...it sucks.

John I would do as Shrekthetank1 suggest and see an ENT specialist. I hope they are able to help you John.

[GBArmy]

Hi John: Welcome aboard. I can't offer anything on that cigarette smell problem, but if I am right, you are a brother who served in 'Nam. Welcome home brother. I also pick up some bad vibes from you about your health situation and it is causing you problems, maybe depression, or worse. If I could, please make arraingements to go to the VA and speak to them about how you are feeling. You got family to think of, and things can go from bad to worse pretty damn fast. Up here in the Northeast, we also have Vet Centers and they can really help too. I hope I am wrong, but I don't think so. Hope I hear back from you.

[doc25]

1 hour ago, GBArmy said:

Hi John: Welcome aboard. I can't offer anything on that cigarette smell problem, but if I am right, you are a brother who served in 'Nam. Welcome home brother. I also pick up some bad vibes from you about your health situation and it is causing you problems, maybe depression, or worse. If I could, please make arraingements to go to the VA and speak to them about how you are feeling. You got family to think of, and things can go from bad to worse pretty damn fast. Up here in the Northeast, we also have Vet Centers and they can really help too. I hope I am wrong, but I don't think so. Hope I hear back from you.

I picked up on the tone of his post,as well. It's a red flag for depression caused by this issue. I second that motion for Ward to get help.

John Ward two fellow vets agree you need to get seen sooner rather than later for the depression you are experiencing. Please seek help as soon as you can. 

 

 

[doc25]

This article supports what you're experiencing in the absence of smell and taste.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6051255/

Just smelling cigarette smoke could be that your olfactory nerves possibly may have been damaged either during your head trauma or surgery. My theory is that your brain is "remembering" only one smell. Being in the military we were all exposed to cigarette smoke; directly and indirectly.

You've lost all sense of smell other than the cigarette smoke smell. What we smell, also affects our sense of taste. 

[broncovet]

You have been given great advice.  I have ONE MORE piece of advice.  

Go get some CBD oil.  It does amazing things to prevent strokes. It also has many other health benefits.    CBD oil is made from the hemp plant and has little or no THC from marijuana.  Its legal.  You can order it online, but order it from reputable companies like 
Charlottes Web, or there is even one that offers Vets about a 60 percent discount:

https://www.lazarusnaturals.com/assistance-programs

NO, your VAMC wont give it to you, and they wont write a prescription for it.  Its an herbal supplement, and no prescription is needed.  

I have not yet tried the Lazarus natural discount, but intend to next time I order.  I have gotten the Charlottes Web brand from a nearby health food store.  Its a little pricey, maybe 30 bucks for a bottle the size of an eyedropper, but worth every penny.  

    There are different concentrations, and different prices.  You dont need the very concentrated stuff..try the lower concentration stuff in a lower dose first.  If it helps you, increase the dose until you find one that works for you.  

I take 2 eyedroppers full of Charlottes Web lower concentration 30 dollars a bottle stuff.  

It helps my plantar fasciatus in my feet, calms me down better than VA prescribed Atavan (Lorazapam), with fewer side effects.  

It also helps my depression symptoms better than VA prescibed anti depressants.  I take cbd oil with my va antidepressants.  

Edited June 5, 2019 by broncovet