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At 06:16 PM 7/21/96 -0400, you wrote: >RE: olfactory hallucinations ... > >Smoke smelling panic attacks have recently been experienced >by my 75 yr old aunt who has PSP (a PD+, like end stage PD). > >In her weak voice she screams, insisting there's a fire in her >bedroom. The sensation is so real that even when we put her >into the imaginary fire (sit her against the wall, go into the >closet) she claims it exists. Interestingly, she fights to stay in >the room when we try to move her from her imaginary danger. >The episodes last for at least 3 hours, and seem to shorten >if we take her into reality -- into public and have her talk to >whoever is around. She will not talk about the fire in public. >She won't tell the fire department or talk to 911. > >Getting her out of he house is a battle. PSPers have almost no >balance, and too little coordination to use a walker, so we support >her while she walks. To move her quickly, we use a wheelchair. > >During these severe olfactory panic attacks, she fights to stay >near the fire. When in the wheelchair, she lunges her body forward >to put her feet on the floor or against furniture and walls, and >grabs whatever she can by hand to not be moved. I have to lift her >to put her in the car. > >When in public, she refocuses on the environment and people around >her -- the severe panic attack dissolves. > >As primary CG for 3 years, smelling hallucinations that I know of >included: > - smoke (2x) therefore fire, > - dead fish (1x) with lots of flies on her, > >A month ago, she also heard a baby crying under her bed. >Lying her on the floor reaching under the high hospital bed >did not convince her that it was not there. > > 0===================================================================0 > | @..@ A.J. CONOVALOFF | > | (----) "The Molokan Cyber-Cowboy" __o | > | ( >__< ) PSP Support Groups of Arizona `\<, | > | ^^ ~~ ^^ [log in to unmask] . . ..(*)/`(*) | > 0===================================================================0 > > A possible scenario somewhat different from the usual olfactory path: Certain odors seeem to bypass the olfactory bulb and go to the hypothalamus via the trigeminal nerve. I do not suffer from hallucinations but do experience substantial changes in ability to detect certain odors with degree of 'on-ness' from Sinemet. I have difficulty smelling auto exhausr (not diesel), acrid smoke, certain solvents, skunk [smells sweet to me when Sinemet is wearing off], and other fright/flight odors. Mercaptan [odorant in natural gas] threshold is high & I'm glad I live in an all electric home.