DejaVu and a weird smell

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I am so happy I found this site today. DOES ANYONE ELSE SMELL SOMETHING STRANGE WHEN THEY HAVE THESE DEJA VU EPISODES? My husband kept telling me to see a doctor but I thought a doc would think I was nuts if I walked in there and said I was having Deja Vu and smelling something weird. I have been having these episodes too but have not been able to describe them. I also thought I was just remembering a dream from the previous night. Usually this would start after having a restless night sleep with disturbing dreams. It then starts with a weird feeling in my stomach and then the strong sense of Deja Vu then dizziness and that sense that I am out of myself. And sometimes I can hear someone yelling in my left ear. The episodes that are really strong are coupled with that smell. I can't explain what kind of a smell it is but I remember thinking the first time it happened that it is a familiar smell but I can't pin point what it is exactly. I was told that I had a seizure about 2 years ago but I was a heavy drinker and thought it was just a withdrawal from alcohol. Now when I have these what I call "smell episodes" sometimes I am really scared and think I am having a stroke. When I had my alcohol withdrawal seizure the person I was with said I kept asking him if he smelled that weird smell and then after that my eyes rolled back in my head and I started to turn blue. He gave me mouth to mouth and I came out of it. I have never had anything like that again but about once a month now I have this Deja Vu thing. It happens off and on all day and then the next day it is like nothing ever happened. My husband thought maybe it was because of menapause ( I am 48) and it was a hormone imbalance so I made an appt with the doc. I went to the doctor today for an EEG. I told the technician that it might sound weird but the only way I could describe it is to say it is like Deja Vu but a scary Deja Vu and a sick feeling in my stomach accompanied by dizziness and hot flash and pulse racing. She made me feel so much better when she said I am not the only one that experiences this and that it is related to seizures. She said my EEG looked normal though.....so now what? I will keep checking back to this discussion. thanks for sharing everyone. Now I don't feel like such a nut.

Comments

Re: DejaVu and a weird smell

Submitted by kporteous on Fri, 2010-09-17 - 21:24

I've had a lot of what you've described. I've sometimes had a weird smell as I feel the deja vu feeling coming on, though not all the time.

I've just turned 47 and though I think menopause is yet to hit me, my seizures have changed a bit over the last 3-4 months. I have 98% of my complex partial seizures 2-3 days before my period, every month.

You mentioned that you have a weird feeling in your stomach. While I don't have that, some people do. I thought my doctor would think I was crazy when I told him about my simple partial seizures. I have them at least 5 times a day, every day, and they make me smile or laugh, and I can't control it. Is that weird or what? I think the feeling in your stomach, or my smile depends on what part of your brain is involved.

I've had a lot of what you've described. I've sometimes had a weird smell as I feel the deja vu feeling coming on, though not all the time.

I've just turned 47 and though I think menopause is yet to hit me, my seizures have changed a bit over the last 3-4 months. I have 98% of my complex partial seizures 2-3 days before my period, every month.

You mentioned that you have a weird feeling in your stomach. While I don't have that, some people do. I thought my doctor would think I was crazy when I told him about my simple partial seizures. I have them at least 5 times a day, every day, and they make me smile or laugh, and I can't control it. Is that weird or what? I think the feeling in your stomach, or my smile depends on what part of your brain is involved.

I have been having this smell

Submitted by doodles on Tue, 2018-11-27 - 21:45

I have been having this smell deja vu lately. I get so frustrated because I get so close to associating what it is. Then it passes before I can figure it out. Also while I'm having it. I get weird feeling as though it's important. Something I need to know. Like its a warning. Very strange.

I have had seizures in my

Submitted by WanderingWolfe on Tue, 2019-03-05 - 09:13

I have had seizures in my sleep since I was 15 years old. I wasn't diagnosed with epilepsy until almost 3 years ago. I am almost 32. I have nocturnal epilepsy. But I have very similar Deja Vu accompanied by the strange smell, and dizziness when I am awake. Sometimes I have severe nausea as well. Since I got diagnosed I have quite drinking alcohol, which has helped a lot. I've noticed that I have more seizures or Deja Vu episodes when I am stress, overly tired, dehydrated, or when the weather is muggy or hummid. I have lots of Deja Vu episodes in the bathroom, especially if I take a hot, steamy shower. I too have had nothing but normal MRI's and EEG's as well as EKG's. There is so much unkown about epilepsy. Also, when it is around the time of my monthly visitor I have more Deja Vu episodes. Hormones can definitely contribute to your symptoms. I no longer take anti seizure medication, as all the ones I have tried have horrible side effects that I cannot deal with. I have changed my diet to the keto diet, and I no longer drink alcohol, and I try to keep myself hydrated and get plenty of sleep and I have been feeling so much better, and it's been over a year that I have had a grand Mal seizure. I suggest you keep a diary and change your diet and lifestyle and see if it helps. I have also been introduced to CBD oil and it seems to help as well. No THC, just CBD. These episodes can be very scary and make you feel hopeless because only people who experience them know what you are going through. You are not alone. Hopefully you find a doctor that helps. It only takes finding the right one. It took me about half my life, but for the most part I finally have them under control and am feeling much better. Good luck!