Detecting different odors since chemo and radiation therapy

Annadj13

It has been just over a year since I was diagnosed with breast cancer and have had chemo, surgery and radiation therapy. I am now on hormone blockers and I will get sense of a strong odor of roses or something burning quite often. Has anyone else had this phenomena?

NWArtLady

I have! I walk into a room and smell odd things. I now check with others about the smells... It’s a strange side effect after the chemo! (I don’t think it’s due to my surgery and radiation). Nice to hear I’m not the only one

NotVeryBrave

I don't have that problem, but I was super sensitive to odors when chemo first started. Good or bad smells - I could smell everything SO strongly. I thought I'd never survive it. Thankfully that passed and things are normal now.

Lula73

my nose was extremely sensitive to scents during and after chemo. To this day i cannot handle flowery cloying scents. Give me a light citrus scent any day! It can also be a symptom of a sinus infection especially the burning smell. Anytime I smell cigarette smoke and no one near me is smoking/smoked or I’m in my house where no one had ever smoked since we built it 7 years ago, I know I have a sinus infection. The scent/smell of cigarette smoke is so strong it chokes me up several times a day. It’s like there’s someone sitting in front of me blowing it into my face it’s so strong. A round of antibiotics and it goes away.