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Dear Keith, This may be a bit off from your question but on the possibility that it may be helpful... ...does anyone else get a smell "stuck" in their mind...I doubt if I am processing it like normal people do... From your text I am not entirely sure that you are having the smells stay in your mind only after smelling something and/or if sometimes these smells arise apparently spontaneously. Also your question to your neurologist may have led him/her to think only in reference to what happens or doesn't happen with others with PD concerning strong smells. From a psych point of view, unusual experiences of smells can sometimes be diagnostic of other things going on. Some people smell things as part of what is known as a partial complex seizure spectrum disorder (spectrum in the sense that all components of "seizure" are often not seen with each episode). Olfactory hallucinations can sometimes also be experienced if a person had been on a benzodiazepine, e.g., ativan, and it is discontinued. If that were the case it would happen in a relatively short period of time (2-7 days for example) after discontinuation. Finally, there are what are known as olfactory hallucinations (which unfortunately tend to be foul smelling.) And as you know one of the prime characteristics of an hallucination is its compelling sense of reality as a true perception. If any of these were going on, treatment would be dirrerent in each situation. You may want to consider another call to the neurologist. But then again, this may be one of those instances of when one part of the brain begins to shut down, sometimes another part seems to develop a special sensitivity. I hope at bare minimum that they are pleasant smells. I hope this is helpful. Please let me know what turns out. Tim Hodgens Tim Hodgens, Ph.D. Psychologist Westborough, MA In a message dated 98-10-28 22:53:46 EST, you write: >Subj: Sense of Smell >Date: 98-10-28 22:53:46 EST >From: [log in to unmask] (Keith Chancey) >Sender: [log in to unmask] (Parkinson's Information Exchange) >Reply-to: [log in to unmask] >To: [log in to unmask] (Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN) > >I know most us PWP have lost much of our ability to smell, but does >antone else get a smell "stuck" in their mind? I will sometimes >encounter a strong smell that will stay with me long after I am no >longer exposed to it. Also, I can't describe it adequately, because I >doubt I am processing it like normal people do. I mentioned this to my >neuro, and he was not familiar with others who reported similar >experiences. > >Anyone else been there done that, or is it just me? > >Keith Chancey 45/14 months >Memphis, TN