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Welcome to the Migraine with Aura : other diagnosis Forum

Has anyone ever had auras that were scent related? I often begin to smell something like bananas (a smell I hate) right before I get a bad migraine, usually near the time I see visual auras. I have, however, sometimes just smelled the bananas that aren’t there and – wham! – migraine. Has anyone ever heard of this?

Lori,

Yes, I have this sometimes. It’s called olfactory hallucination, smelling odors that aren’t actually present, and it can be a symptom of Migraine aura. I often smell bacon frying during an aura.

If you haven’t mentioned this to your doctor, please do though. It’s always safest to mention new symptoms.

You can read more about the four potential phases of a Migraine attack and their possible symptoms in Migraine Phases at http://migraine.com/migraine-basics/migraine-phases/.

Yes, I get this a lot and it’s very annoying. Why is it always horrible smells? I tend to get the smell of bins.

I experience this, too. It’s not something we talk about as much as visual aura, but I actually have this type of aura more often than visual auras.

I get this occasionally, but not as frequently as other aura symptoms. When it happens I drive my hubs crazy though, because it usually smells like something burning. I go chasing it and he can’t smell it so we spend tons of time looking for nothing!

Im new to this…My name is Maggie…Three nights ago I had the most unusual yet the most painful throbbing migraine on my right side to the point that i was seeing flickering lights i stuttered 10 times worse than i usually do and my right side of the face numbed or was very weak. I just had a hard time speaking. I was clumsy tired and everything you can imagine. I wasnt able to function properly. I dont know what happened. I was very sensitive to sound smell and light. my right leg was also jerking and when it wasn’t doing it it just numbed and tingled and my hands and fingers had a tingling sensation too. Can anyone else tell me and explain to me what kind of a migraine i just had and i had a warning a day before. Did I have an Aura migraine? I’m so confused I’m still recovering from it.

I get the visual auras, and difficulty speaking, confusion,etc. I don’t smell phantom things, I just get sensitive to scents around me. I also of course have the photo and phonophobia…

MAGGNUM,
If you haven’t already, you should call your doctor abou tthat Migraine. Whenever we have such unusual symptoms, we need to check in with our doctors and be sure nothing else is going on. It could have been Migraine with aura, hemiplegic Migraine, or something else entirely.

Please let us know how you’re doing?

Teri,

I have been trying to reach my neuro and he has not been either available to talk to, has not been in the office , was on vacation, with patient or he never called me back. I’m starting to become very impatient and concerned as to why im getting these migraines for so many years. i used to get migraines in front of my head but all of a sudden im getting on my right side of my head. also to add i have acquired neck pain and thats where it all starts too with like ping electric shock kind of feeling i dont know how to explain it and whenever it happens i cant move left or right. its terrible i cant even explain. im on the verge of crying. I dont know what to do.

MAGGNUM,

I’m so sorry you’re feeling so bad and having so much trouble. Darlin, its’ time for a new doctor. Take a look at this article – http://migraine.com/blog/is-it-time-for-a-new-migraine-doctor/

For now, since you can’t reach your neuro, how about calling your primary doctor? It’s obvious you need help. If I were in your spot, I’d call my family doc and see if her or she could see me to at least be sure you’re ok. Then, find yourself a new doctor for your Migraines.

Sorry it took me so long to see this. I’ll check back more often to see how you’re doing.

Teri

Terri,

I finally got a hold of him. And I describe him the symptoms of what happened and he is so unsympathetic and just not understanding. Hes like ohh those are just headaches. Im like are you kidding me? Im suffering here!! I have been referred to another neurologist that specializes in migraines in yale. So will see what happens. Ever since that big attack I have been having migraines scaling on averagr on the meter of 8. I had three 10s in past week in a half. I just cant stand it anymore.

44_Maggnum – Sending you ((Hugs)) of support. It’s so hard when a physician who should know better treats us with such indifference. Know that not all physicians are this way, in fact I have met some unbelievably wonderful doctors who are completely dedicated to helping their patients through whatever means necessary. These doctors stick with patients through thick and thin. I hope your Yale doctor is one of the good ones. Let us know how you’re doing okay? <3

44_Maggnum,

Do you live in CT? I know a great headache doc in Danbury

Dr. Whyte: Yes I do. I live in Stratford but I work in Newtown. Someone told me that there is a good one in Danbury actually. I don’t know if you are thinking the same one as I am.

Ellen: thank you for support. I appreciate it alot. Thank God I found this website. I check it everday for new updates and posts whenever I can. I hate when people tell me ohh you are a baby or its just a headache. it just makes me feel depressed. And I also have been diagnosed just couple days ago with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). So it just hard to be dealing with migraine and PCOS and also depression. Thats triple the stress.