Can FF mask use affect your sense of smell?

[Big Stevoreno]

Could prolonged use of a FF mask affect your sense of smell? For the past few weeks I've been using my first FF mask, everything smells funny, strange, almost flu like except I still have my sense of taste which I normally would also lose besides my sense of smell when I come down with the flu. I don't have the flu, I don't feel like I have the flu. I got my flu shot over a month ago. I can still taste foods but my sense of smell seems to have become affected. Everything right now smells strange to me.

Vicks vapor rub placed on the outside of my nostrils last night I couldn't smell. I never experienced this sensation before while I was using a nasal mask. Could what I'm now experiencing be related to new FF mask use? Also my stomach feels sore inside, I have read here that is definitely related to FF mask use but not being able to smell normally is beginning to bother me. Everything smells right now like school board chalk dust did years ago, not much to it, just a dull sensation but it's there. I do use Nasonex nasal spray in each nostril before bedtime which is odorless.

[So Well]

Lots of things could happen but what you are describing is likely not causation.

[Julie]

What you're describing is called anosmia, and has various causes, so ask your MD about it.

[Big Stevoreno]

What you're describing is called anosmia, and has various causes, so ask your MD about it.

Anosmia? I'll have to go to Mr. Google and check that one out. Someone on this discussion board once said "Google is your friend". Thanks for posting.

[Muse-Inc]

...I do use Nasonex nasal spray in each nostril before bedtime which is odorless.

It may be odorless but every few yrs for me it makes me 'smell' cigarette smoke; I stop using it and that weird side effect disappears. Gotta be off a few wks or it recurs again. I think weird phantom 'smells' are a side effect of all nasal steroids.

[kteague]

According to our friend Mr. Google, changes in sense of smell are reported side effects of Nasonex.

[Julie]

And some definitely more serious medical conditions. If it persists, I would definitely see your MD.

[Big Stevoreno]

And some definitely more serious medical conditions. If it persists, I would definitely see your MD.

I have an appointment scheduled to see the doctor this Wednesday and I plan to talk to him about it. I've used Nasonex for years, would another good alternative to use be Flonase, Nasarel, or Rhinocort Aqua?

[Big Stevoreno]

According to our friend Mr. Google, changes in sense of smell are reported side effects of Nasonex.

Well I've been using Nasonex for years, never experienced this sensation of smelling this weird smell that I'm smelling now while I was using a nasal mask with Nasonex, I could be coming down with something. I plan to see the doctor on Wednesday and will discuss this with him. As I posted earlier this sensation of this weird constant smell reminds me of having the flu which I haven't had since February 2005. I don't feel like I'm coming down with the flu, no body aches or fever, it's just this weird sensation of everthing smelling like I have the flu.

[Big Stevoreno]

...I do use Nasonex nasal spray in each nostril before bedtime which is odorless.

It may be odorless but every few yrs for me it makes me 'smell' cigarette smoke; I stop using it and that weird side effect disappears. Gotta be off a few wks or it recurs again. I think weird phantom 'smells' are a side effect of all nasal steroids.

So would I be correct to assume that you do not have any major nasal congestion problems like I do? When you do stop using Nasonex do you use a different brand of prescription nasal spray or none at all? I wish I didn't have to depend on nasal sprays but my deviated septum on the left side must be the reason I have to constanly use them. I remember back in the 60's having to use Neo-Synephrine nose drops, that was some nasty stuff, nasal sprays in my opinion are much better today than those Neo-Synephrine nose drops were back in the 60's.

Everytime I had to use them they ran right down into my throat, bitter stuff. Does anyone here recommend using a product like Vick's Vapor Rub inside your nostrils to help keep them open? My late mother use to do it every night but I don't because it clearly states on the bottle's label not to do so. When I asked my RT about it, she told me not to use it, she said I could get pneumonia if I did use it, my pharmacist also told me the same thing. Vick's Vapor Rub running down your throat is also very nasty stuff.

[Janknitz]

Since I started using nasal pillows, my sinuses are clearer than they've been in YEARS, and the side effect of that is that I can smell EVERYTHING and everyone .

This is both a blessing and a curse. It's nice to be able to smell again, in general, but boy do some things (and people) stink!!!!

I am sensitive (reactive airway disease) to some smells like smoke and fragrances, so it's been worse for me in some cases. I have to keep my office door shut because I can smell everyone walking by in our supposedly "fragrance free" office. Shutting my door used to work well, but now I am starting to pick up fragrances and cigarette smoke on clothes when people walk by even with the door shut. YUCK!

I feel like a hypersensitive freak if I complain, but P.U.!

[Julie]

Have you ever tried Neti-pots? They don't have the same long term side effects of the meds, and many people are using them now. Ask your pharmacist about them and how to use them. I hadn't realized you'd been on Nasonex or anything else for a long time.

[Big Stevoreno]

Since I started using nasal pillows, my sinuses are clearer than they've been in YEARS, and the side effect of that is that I can smell EVERYTHING and everyone .

This is both a blessing and a curse. It's nice to be able to smell again, in general, but boy do some things (and people) stink!!!!

I am sensitive (reactive airway disease) to some smells like smoke and fragrances, so it's been worse for me in some cases. I have to keep my office door shut because I can smell everyone walking by in our supposedly "fragrance free" office. Shutting my door used to work well, but now I am starting to pick up fragrances and cigarette smoke on clothes when people walk by even with the door shut. YUCK!

I feel like a hypersensitive freak if I complain, but P.U.!

My 88 year old neighbor who is still very active gets up every morning at 5:00 a.m., drives herself to mass at her local Catholic church every morning except on Saturdays and Sundays, volunteers at one of our local area hospitals twice a week, cooks once a week for a homeless shelter here in town, she has told me that her "smeller" doesn't work, she cannot smell anything. She weighs about 125 pounds, is not required to use CPAP but can you imagine cooking for other people and not being able to smell what you're cooking?

I'm very concerned for her because if a fire broke out inside her house during the night while she slept, she wouldn't be able to smell the smoke. I finally convinced her to have some smoke detectors installed in her house last year with the assistance of our local fire department at no cost to her, Lowe's here in town furnished brand new smoke detectors to the fire department, firemen from the fire department installed them, six detectors were installed inside her house. She's not concerned at all about not being able to smell, I would and right now I am. Thanks for your comments.

[Big Stevoreno]

Have you ever tried Neti-pots? They don't have the same long term side effects of the meds, and many people are using them now. Ask your pharmacist about them and how to use them. I hadn't realized you'd been on Nasonex or anything else for a long time.

No I have not. Is that something that requires a doctor's Rx or can you simply purchase it over the counter? I'll ask my pharmacist about it the next time I see him. Thanks for your comments.

[cflame1]

it's over the counter Steve... goes with the nasal rinse link that I gave you in chat