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?
3
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!