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HI Norma, I agree with others that persistent abnormal smells are common in PD. I had them in fact prior to actually being diagnosed! At the same time loss of sense of smell is also common. I have had both, but I didn't find out how common a symptom it was(or that it was related at all to PD) until I joined the list I disagree with Janet that you ought to consider dumping your MD if he didn't know about that as a symptom of PD however. If he is otherwise competent. it is a common although largely unwritten about symptom that can and does occur. While it may indicate some inexperience with PD- unless he/she is giving other indications that he is not knowledgeable about more major aspects of PD I would let it go by. I know a number of neurologists that do(did) not know about that symptom and are otherwise competent. Also In all my experience with PD specialists I never have been asked that as a diagnostic question in spite of the symptoms prevalence. Charlie "J. R. Bruman" wrote: > Paul Myhre wrote: > > My name is Norma Myhre and new to the PARKINSN list. I started having > > tremors 3 1/2 - 4 years ago and was diagnosed with PD this past March. I am > > a participant in a 2 year study and I am taking either Sinemet or > > Ropinirole. The tremors seem to be mostly under control but am having > > trouble with cramping in my arms, hands and slightly in the legs, sleepless > > nights and achiness. Thank you all for sharing information on these > > problems and others. > > > > I have an odd problem in that I have experienced a persistent abnormal smell > > for the last 2 1/2 years. No one in the family, friends, and especially > > those who claim to have a very keen sense of smell can detect the odor. > > After CAT scans, x-rays and other tests of the sinuses and nostrils, I was > > told it was something I probably will have to live with. I even went to a > > hypnotist without any help. Very frustrating! In reading the "The PDF > > NEWS" Fall/Winter 1998-1999 issue under "Mary's Mailbag" on page 14 there is > > an article "What's That Smell?". It says "We've heard from some PWPs > > who've lost their sense of smell, from others who complain of persistent > > abnormal smells, .........". Last Monday I sent an e-mail to the PDF > > Organization asking for help but have not heard from them. I have also > > asked for help from the neurologist but to no avail. > > > > Any information or referrals you might have will be greatly appreciated. > > It sounds a bit odd but I too have had olfactory hallucinations (not > recently or often). The sensation was a kind of "chemical" odor related > to, but unlike, turpentine, toluene, benzole, etc. that I knew weren't > really present. I thought hallucinations came with the various dopamine > agonists for PD, but I don't take any. Cheers, > Joe > -- > J. R. Bruman (818) 789-3694 > 3527 Cody Road > Sherman Oaks, CA 91403-5013 -- ****************************************************************************************** Charles T. Meyer, M.D. Middleton (Madison), Wisconsin [log in to unmask] ******************************************************************************************