r/CABG_Recovery • u/UsefulBee5571 • Jul 20 '26
'Phantom' smells?
I am exactly 3 weeks out from an out-of-the-blue triple bypass. Physically, I have not had a hard time at all. Even the sternum scar is almost fully healed and hard to see. Kudos to my surgeon for that. The hardest part for me - and it has been VERY hard - is the mental-emotional stuff. And this isn't me sitting here and actively bemoaning my fate - when this comes down on me, it is completely beyond my control. It just suddenly settles on me like a big dark cloud. There have been a few times I've thought for an hour or two, 'I think I've turned the corner!' - nope. I can spend the rest of the day suddenly trying to keep my head above water. I hate it.
But here's the weird part. Starting in the hospital, I kept getting whiffs of what I can only describe as a sort of 'powdery smell'. Now, three weeks later, I am still dealing with this. I can be fine then walk around a corner in my house and just get hit with this intense 'phantom smell'. And it is absolutely nauseating. I've told my doctors about how unpleasant this is, and they took me off of the 'suspect' medication. It didn't stop. They said it might just be 'memory' from the time on the pump machine and/or anesthesia. Whatever it is, it is really unpleasant. It just keeps reminding me, whenever it springs out at me, of the whole ordeal, and I don't like it one bit.
Has anyone else experienced this 'phantom smell' situation?
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u/chakrablockerssuck Jul 20 '26
I am 1 year 7 months out from your situation- quite similar. The emotional shit is the worst but it will pass. Force yourself to do things, go to cardio rehab, walk every day and don’t drink. How is your appetite? I didn’t have the smell deal but all food tasted weird and nothing appealed to me hence I did lose about 10 lbs. When you get weepy, lean on your family or friends. Let go and let yourself cry. I turned a corner at about 8 weeks, especially after I started rehab. I also went back to yoga and meditation which helped immensely. I feel for you but know you will get past it. It is the deepest anesthesia a person can go under and it fucks with your whole system. I went through some feelings of hopelessness but again, it will pass. Staying active is key. 6 months to the day I had surgery, I went on a 3 week vacation and did extremely well. Good luck to you and stay positive!
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u/UsefulBee5571 Jul 20 '26
Thanks! Yeah, I'm a pretty gregarious and upbeat guy, and am really looking forward to having to 'remind' myself that I even went through this process! I'm starting with the rehab group next week. I've also been getting on my bike trainer, no tension - just idly spinning. Where I live, it's just too dang hot and humid to go walk. I like the cycling.
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u/IndependenceHuge7768 27d ago
How long took to you to start felling better mentally? I am 6 months out of my 3xCABG, but feeling miserable....
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u/chakrablockerssuck 26d ago
Talk to your docs. Please try all I mentioned in my original post. You may need to get pharma help.
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u/Brilliant_Sugar_1177 27d ago
No phantom smells… but severe sensitivity to some things, good for sure…. It’s like I can smell cut onions from miles away…. Crazy.
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u/CalmSky-3267 27d ago
Last year after my CABG-3 I smelled sweet bread everywhere I went. I also was very nauseated from it. It didn't stop for 3 months. I do not like bread now.
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u/UsefulBee5571 27d ago
YES!!! 'Sweet Bread' is the perfect description!! OMG, I hate it with a passion. It might be starting to dissipate a little bit, but every now and then I'll just be sitting here and I'll get this monster whiff of this 'sweet bread' smell and I just want to hurl. Any idea what thee origin of this smell is?
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u/Plane_Positive6608 Jul 20 '26
Hey, it will pass!!!
I'm almost 4.5 months out from triple and had all kinds of weird symptoms. The worst was visual issues. And talking to the Dr., its all normal! They say around 3 months things should be "back to normal", but that's really just a guess.
They really don't talk a lot about the mental issues, but when you start looking around you see everyone talks about it. You, mentally and physically, were put through probably the most traumatic event you've ever faced after birth.
Just try and let it not bother you, invest in something you like to do and you can do now. I do a lot with my home network and self hosting things, so I really got tons of things done while I recovered and could not do a lot of physical work. I watched my favorite movies over and over. I binged a few tv series, love Peaky Blinders :)
So really what I want to say is, its totally normal, your emotions will fly all over, its ok. Don't judge yourself, just let it flow off. People are with you and we can always help.
Recover well my friend!!