Smell of Radiation or Chemo???
Comments
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I know the smell
I know the smell your speaking of but i didnt have that problem. It may just be psychological. Even though I eat perfectly fine know, when i go back to Johns Hopkins for check ups its hard for me to eat there and i think its just the thought of how bad i felt going through treatment. The mind is a powerful thing!!!0 -
Smellrmkbrad said:Smell
During my last treatment I used a liquid body soap, after my treatment I cannot stand the smell of it. It remindes me of bad times.
I noticed a wierd scent right after chemo treatment. I would take shower's at all hours of the day or night. Drove me crazy.Couldn't mask it with perfume as the scent of that made me ill.0 -
During Treatment
Dennis,
I noticed the smell during and shortly after each of the Chemo treatments. It seemed to subide within a week or so of each treatment. Six months out, I don't notice anything. Didn't notice much associated with the radiation.
However, as others have also indicated, I cannot stand the smell of any of the lotions, shampoos or other products that I used when I was sick. I had to give away to Goodwill the clothing I wore during my treatments. I wore the same comfy workout pants and sweatshirt for just about every treatment. I simply can't imagine even putting the articles of clothing on, ever again.
Deb0 -
Metal Smell
Hi dennis, sorry to hear you are still smelling that crap, you might want to try using something like NeilMed Sinus Rinse two or three times a day and see if it helps. There is a lot of old dead scar tissue left in your body from the rads, all I know to do is to try and rinse it out.
Take care my friend0 -
Out damned smell
Hi Dennis, could be in your head or still simmering in your whipped cells and engaging your brain. When I was six years old I woke up in the middle of a surgery for a moment--had to have an eye removed as the result of a game of cowboys and indians gone wrong. Ether was the anesthetic of choice in those days, pretty heady stuff. For about five years, anytime I saw a color that came close to surgical green, I smelled that ether, clear and sharp as a skunk. As people say, since it's persistent and not triggered, try to mask it for now as it should go away before long.
Hal0 -
I believe I read somewhereHal61 said:Out damned smell
Hi Dennis, could be in your head or still simmering in your whipped cells and engaging your brain. When I was six years old I woke up in the middle of a surgery for a moment--had to have an eye removed as the result of a game of cowboys and indians gone wrong. Ether was the anesthetic of choice in those days, pretty heady stuff. For about five years, anytime I saw a color that came close to surgical green, I smelled that ether, clear and sharp as a skunk. As people say, since it's persistent and not triggered, try to mask it for now as it should go away before long.
Hal
I believe I read somewhere that the strongest sense that is tied with memory is smell. This can be both good and bad. I know the smell of that damn canned nutrition makes me gag. I cannot stand it. When I was so bad and I could not keep anything I put in my peg tube down and I went down 40 lbs I tried to trick my brain. I would put my favorite smells under my nose to drown out that nutrin. I would put almond extract out so I could smell it. One day after radiation I was walking down the hall with patty and I kept sniffing she was like 'what is your problem??'. I kept asking her if she could smell that smell. She asked what smell. I said that it smelled like something was burning. She didn't smell anything. Then I realized it was me. I was smelling me cooking.
hard to say what it is Dennis. If it really bothers you, try putting a tiny bit of a calming scent under your nose. Like lavender vanilla.0 -
metal smell during radiation
I noticed a weird smell during radiation. I am only just under 3 weeks post graduation, but I did notice that with a neil med rinse the smell goes away. but when i am near anything that smells metallic it reminds me of the treatments. hard smell to get rid of!0 -
Smell during radiation - OZONEekdennie said:metal smell during radiation
I noticed a weird smell during radiation. I am only just under 3 weeks post graduation, but I did notice that with a neil med rinse the smell goes away. but when i am near anything that smells metallic it reminds me of the treatments. hard smell to get rid of!
That is believed to be caused by the ozone produced by the linear accelerator. I got used to the timing and sounds of the machine and just didn't breathe for those few seconds that I knew the odor always seemed to occur.
I also asked the techs and told them of the ozone smell, but they didn't really understand I feel. They did say that other patients would occasionally speak of the odor.
I'm familiar with that Ozone smell from where I work. They actually have some Qzone generators.
Smell during chemo and especially the week of wearing the 5FU pump. I would emit an odor, that was nasty. I swore it smelled like cat spray odor, musky smelling...
My wife would smell it really bad when I would soak in the tub. She said I smelled like a big old medicine bag, LOL....
JG0 -
It's NOT in your head
It's NOT in your head, my friend. It surprises me how many people assume that just because they didn't experience it for themselves, that it must be “in your head.” If there's anything we've all learned from cancer and treatment, it's that everyone is different. In our case, my partner still smells like chemo FOUR years after treatment. It's a weird, bitter-chemical-metallic smell. It seems to get 'triggered' now and again, though we haven't yet figured out what does it. It’s pretty random. It comes and goes – it isn’t constant. Sometimes she'll tell me she can taste chemo, as well. Usually when she tells me that, I've already smelled it on her, or vice-versa. I.e., I'll tell her I smell it and she'll say she tasted it earlier. She's pretty much a health nut, too. So it's not like she hasn't been doing anything to detox. On the contrary, she’s done EVERYTHING to detox since recovering from chemo and double mastectomy. She gets PLENTY of exercise - she runs (up to 9 miles a day), does yoga, mountain bikes, etc. - has gone vegetarian (lacto ovum peskatarian - i.e. still eats dairy and seafood), drinks green and herbal teas, drinks PLENTY of water (~80oz a day) gets all her vitamins, minerals and macro nutrients from her diet, mostly, and some supplements, and she doesn't drink or smoke (never did the latter). She also rinses her sinuses regularly with saline and a netty pot. So ... for 4 years she's done all the liver/kidney cleansing-friendly remedies out there and the chemo smell still persists. Maybe it's still in her fat cells - like D-lysergic acid would be - and when those fat cells burn, she has a chemo “flashback” as those toxins are released - but that's just a guess. We’ve yet to find the ultimate remedy. If you succeed, please send me a private message. It doesn’t smell “bad” per se, just weird. I’m okay with it, but it really bothers her.
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not crazySkiffin16 said:Smell during radiation - OZONE
That is believed to be caused by the ozone produced by the linear accelerator. I got used to the timing and sounds of the machine and just didn't breathe for those few seconds that I knew the odor always seemed to occur.
I also asked the techs and told them of the ozone smell, but they didn't really understand I feel. They did say that other patients would occasionally speak of the odor.
I'm familiar with that Ozone smell from where I work. They actually have some Qzone generators.
Smell during chemo and especially the week of wearing the 5FU pump. I would emit an odor, that was nasty. I swore it smelled like cat spray odor, musky smelling...
My wife would smell it really bad when I would soak in the tub. She said I smelled like a big old medicine bag, LOL....
JGI get some smell off the 5Fu too, but it is slight and just a waft of sweet. It is gone within a day of the takedown. I keep thinking the cat is sniffing thinking he is licking a candy bar. LOL
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maybe her dietKazeyB said:It's NOT in your head
It's NOT in your head, my friend. It surprises me how many people assume that just because they didn't experience it for themselves, that it must be “in your head.” If there's anything we've all learned from cancer and treatment, it's that everyone is different. In our case, my partner still smells like chemo FOUR years after treatment. It's a weird, bitter-chemical-metallic smell. It seems to get 'triggered' now and again, though we haven't yet figured out what does it. It’s pretty random. It comes and goes – it isn’t constant. Sometimes she'll tell me she can taste chemo, as well. Usually when she tells me that, I've already smelled it on her, or vice-versa. I.e., I'll tell her I smell it and she'll say she tasted it earlier. She's pretty much a health nut, too. So it's not like she hasn't been doing anything to detox. On the contrary, she’s done EVERYTHING to detox since recovering from chemo and double mastectomy. She gets PLENTY of exercise - she runs (up to 9 miles a day), does yoga, mountain bikes, etc. - has gone vegetarian (lacto ovum peskatarian - i.e. still eats dairy and seafood), drinks green and herbal teas, drinks PLENTY of water (~80oz a day) gets all her vitamins, minerals and macro nutrients from her diet, mostly, and some supplements, and she doesn't drink or smoke (never did the latter). She also rinses her sinuses regularly with saline and a netty pot. So ... for 4 years she's done all the liver/kidney cleansing-friendly remedies out there and the chemo smell still persists. Maybe it's still in her fat cells - like D-lysergic acid would be - and when those fat cells burn, she has a chemo “flashback” as those toxins are released - but that's just a guess. We’ve yet to find the ultimate remedy. If you succeed, please send me a private message. It doesn’t smell “bad” per se, just weird. I’m okay with it, but it really bothers her.
could be her diet and all the supplements alters her body chemistry and the excess is expelled through her pores. My nutritionis said the body rids most of the excess via urine but some might exit via the skin.
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Ugh that smell!!donfoo said:maybe her diet
could be her diet and all the supplements alters her body chemistry and the excess is expelled through her pores. My nutritionis said the body rids most of the excess via urine but some might exit via the skin.
I kept telling my husband all thru rads that I smelled terrible. He must have no sense of smell because he claims to have not noticed it. My youngest son could smell it on me too. Even my litle dog who normally, even right now is right up on my lap wouldn't get near me. I think I smelled bad to him too.
Every once in a while when I am drying off from the shower I smell it again. It's just a brief hint of it and then it's gone again but I don't like it at all.
I know someone else mentioned this earlier but,smells of products like lotions, soaps or even dish soap that were used during treatment make me ill if I smell them now. My husband bought this dish soap while I was going thru treatment and the smell was horrible then but now....yuck it's even worse. I went thru the house shortly after treatment and threw away tons of "cancer smelling" items. smell association can be really good and cool but it can also be very disturbing.
Billie0 -
Chemo SmellBillie67 said:Ugh that smell!!
I kept telling my husband all thru rads that I smelled terrible. He must have no sense of smell because he claims to have not noticed it. My youngest son could smell it on me too. Even my litle dog who normally, even right now is right up on my lap wouldn't get near me. I think I smelled bad to him too.
Every once in a while when I am drying off from the shower I smell it again. It's just a brief hint of it and then it's gone again but I don't like it at all.
I know someone else mentioned this earlier but,smells of products like lotions, soaps or even dish soap that were used during treatment make me ill if I smell them now. My husband bought this dish soap while I was going thru treatment and the smell was horrible then but now....yuck it's even worse. I went thru the house shortly after treatment and threw away tons of "cancer smelling" items. smell association can be really good and cool but it can also be very disturbing.
BillieBelieve me it stinks... Even my clothes smell.
I had a tee shirt on for a few hours and the smell was noticeable.
Urine and defecate will also have a strong odor.
I’m sure it varies with whatever chemical cocktail is given, but I know mine is causing me to be quite odorous!
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Ooo that smell!
8 months post rads and I get the same reactions to smells that I associate with the hospital and PEG feedings.
I had a scan at the hospital this past Tuesday and after using the restroom, I used their soap and rememberd that I forgot mine! It is not an unpleasant scent, but it reminds me so much of the incredible nausea that I can't stand it at all. I had the smell on my hands all day despite washing with several other hand soaps. Ugh.
Jevity, my PEG nutrition, also is revolting, hell, even some baby formulas that have a similar aroma are pure hell.
It is true, the chemo/rad/cooking smell does persist. My first day back to work and I hugged my wife good bye and she remarked "you don't smell sick anymore".
Now if I could just get those scent memories to fade away.....
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Hello Billie,Billie67 said:Ugh that smell!!
I kept telling my husband all thru rads that I smelled terrible. He must have no sense of smell because he claims to have not noticed it. My youngest son could smell it on me too. Even my litle dog who normally, even right now is right up on my lap wouldn't get near me. I think I smelled bad to him too.
Every once in a while when I am drying off from the shower I smell it again. It's just a brief hint of it and then it's gone again but I don't like it at all.
I know someone else mentioned this earlier but,smells of products like lotions, soaps or even dish soap that were used during treatment make me ill if I smell them now. My husband bought this dish soap while I was going thru treatment and the smell was horrible then but now....yuck it's even worse. I went thru the house shortly after treatment and threw away tons of "cancer smelling" items. smell association can be really good and cool but it can also be very disturbing.
Billie
Im adressingHello Billie,
Im adressing you because I needed to talk to someone who left the most recent post. My mom had adenocarcinoma surgery in November, and in January she started with radiotherapy that ended on 28th February. She barely can eat now, and she really lost the weight. She feels weak and has fatigue and nausea. Do you have any suggestions about this, and any ideas for how long this might last until she acctually starts to recover? Thanks a lot and all the best.
Milenka
PS Sorry about my English, not the native speaker
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MilenkaMilenka said:Hello Billie,
Im adressingHello Billie,
Im adressing you because I needed to talk to someone who left the most recent post. My mom had adenocarcinoma surgery in November, and in January she started with radiotherapy that ended on 28th February. She barely can eat now, and she really lost the weight. She feels weak and has fatigue and nausea. Do you have any suggestions about this, and any ideas for how long this might last until she acctually starts to recover? Thanks a lot and all the best.
Milenka
PS Sorry about my English, not the native speaker
I'm sorry your mom is continuing to lose weight, I did too when treatment was over. Does she have a PEG(feeding tube)? I did but my nausea was so bad that even the tube feedings were tough to do. Since treatment was over I sort of stopped taking my anti nausea meds. Once I realized thAt and started taking them again things go better. Make sure your mom is taking her meds and I promise you it does get better. Not over night but it does get better.
Billie0 -
Smells
I just asked Dan if he smelled chemo/rads, he said that when he coughs, it's warm, like you could touch it warm, not normal. He said it's like heat that follows the air out of his lungs that lets go and follows up his airway and feels tangible. He also said at times, his teeth radiate smell, that he tastes the radiation.
Jeesh, I had no idea.. Sorry to hear. I wonder if since the chemo is actually a metal, and I am not sure, but I didn't think you could rid the body of metals. That the platinum in the chemo stays with you. Could be wrong.. I am going to go look it up!
Kari
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Metal...NJShore said:Smells
I just asked Dan if he smelled chemo/rads, he said that when he coughs, it's warm, like you could touch it warm, not normal. He said it's like heat that follows the air out of his lungs that lets go and follows up his airway and feels tangible. He also said at times, his teeth radiate smell, that he tastes the radiation.
Jeesh, I had no idea.. Sorry to hear. I wonder if since the chemo is actually a metal, and I am not sure, but I didn't think you could rid the body of metals. That the platinum in the chemo stays with you. Could be wrong.. I am going to go look it up!
Kari
Not all chemos are metal based Kari...
True Cisplatin and Carboplatin are Platinum based, but others like Taxotere for instance is actually derived from the Yew Tree Bark, and 5FU is a reaction between flouracil and urine...
And actually, I'm pretty sure the body does rid the chemo (cisplatin) fairly fast, within days...
Here's a pretty good read on Cisplatin;
Cisplatin
John0
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