United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I never thought this could possibly be because of my daughter's OBPI, but she has an incredible sense of smell. While it usually doesn't present any problems, there have been times when she has complained about the smell of different places. In fact, she became violently ill because of a smell she found very unpleasant...vomiting... As soon as we left, she was fine.
Has anyone else ever experienced this?

Fascinating question.
I have a heightened sense of smell too.

When one sense is decreased, other senses compensate for it and it could be that since our sense of touch/feeling on the obpi side is diminished that the other senses make up for it. Many of us also have eyesight difficulties related to the injury too.

Hmmm, Let's see what others say

Nancy

Count me in too!

I thought I was just nutty and a real pain about things and places that smell! I am so sensitive to different smells... yikes... can I blame this on obpi too! I never connected it...

I am supper sensitive to smells...

Now that is two for two... I wonder -- could it be possible?
I had to leave places all the time because the smells upset only my stomach....

Kath

I have an amazing sense of smell and taste (the two are related) I can tell if someone has stirred my tea with a spoon they previously stirred coffee with......I never related it to the bpi, but I did research it a while back and found it can be related to lack of one hormone (oestrogen or progesterone, can't remember which)so it would be interesting to see if any guys have the heightened smell/taste awareness thing. I can't remember if I had it before the bpi, I was young and didn't waste my time worrying about stuff like that

Ok I'll throw the spanner in the works Gavin aged 11 doesn't show any signs of this, although I do LOL
I can't bear some smells, and gag at the smells of hospitals and bodily functions etc!
Funnily enough, his brother Michael with the Autism is VERY smell sensitive - he can't bear the smell of peoples breath, clothes, wet dogs, anything ! and it's never worth trying to fool him by putting butter/margerine/spread etc on his sandwiches because he can smell it a mile away! you can't fool him about the smell of diet coke vs ordinary coke
Weird, maybe the "girls" are just more sensitive to this phenomenon. It would be good to know if anyone can remember before their tbpi to see if they only developed the extra sensory perception(!) after the injury wouldn't it! - hey Jenny, there's a question for you to post on the tbpi board!
Karen

Jenny & Karen

I have always had such a keen sense of smell and taste... but I wonder if it is female related... I also can't stand the smell of wet dog... coffee spoons in my tea!!! and I drink both - raised on tea and learned to drink coffee... ugh I hate that...

Here we have nautral gas for our heating and cooking...
If a woman calls in a gas smell they are not worried they come and check but say that women have strong sense of smell... If a man calls they rush right over...
hmmmmm wondering if that is just a gender thing...LOL..

Kath

I think you're right Kath-when did you last hear a male say 'Ooh, must empty the trash, it stinks' and do they ever notice when they tread in doggie do's then track it through the house/car? No, they don't. My babies would take their own nappies off when Daddy was looking after them, he never noticed when they needed changing......
Stirring tea with a coffee spoon is a CRIME and I'm glad you notice it too, Kath, I'm tired of people telling me I'm a fussy, whinging Pom....I don't think Pete would notice if I stirred his with the toilet brush.....
OK after that outrageously sexist diatribe I'm off before I get my butt kicked by one of those New Men I keep hearing about (but never meet) lololol

LOL....ROFL....toilet brush....LOL LOL

First off, I too am ROFLMAO about the toilet brush...but, that said. I have a sensitive nose, though I think I developed it while working in kitchens.

Juliana also has an unusually heightened sense of smell. She can also tell you what the item is that she is smelling. Not just that it is bad or good, but "I smell_______." I just thought she was, well, Juliana...one of her endearing quirks!! Now I think it is one of her endearing bpi quirks!!

Now, excuse me while I stir Frank's coffee with the toilet brush...
claudia

Claudia

Can he tell if you stir the coffee with the brush...

Or can he only tell if YOU don't stir HIS coffee....LOL...LOL...
Jennys post had me LOL... ROF.... cuz it is so true!

OK guys do you really stir your husbands coffee????

Kath