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Year Four, Day 4: Manic Thursday

Help! Something is wrong!
I feel too good!

I want to break into song and dance on this here Tri-Met bus.

I'm thinking James Brown, "Yow! I feel good, (doodle doodle doodle do), I knew that I would  (doodle doodle doodle do)..."

And you know why?

Well that's the puzzling part.

I don't know why.

James Brown knew. It was "...'coz I got you! (Doot doot doot do!)

I'm always analyzing.  Trying to find answers.  Maybe I should have been a detective. Solving the crime that is me.

I have not had coffee in two days. I did have a cup of black tea this morning.

I took my blood pressure and pulse at home.  Good stats.



I've been trying home remedies to restore my sense of smell. No luck yet.  I've been using saline nose spray, doing breathing exercises, drinking tons of water.  I even tried a teaspoon of honey sprinkled with cinnamon on my tongue.

Every chance I get, I am sniffing things. Especially things I know have strong odors. Like eucaplytus oil, Vicks Vapor Rub and Tiger Balm. The interesting thing is that I get a burning sensation in my nostrils, but no scent whatsoever.

I sniff flowers, perfume spray, hand soap, garlic.  Nothing.

It's eerie. But in a way a bit liberating. Without smell, I have less of an appetite.  I still have my sense of taste, but it is a bit subdued.

I did some research online.

I discovered much written about this subject, that I have never given much thought to. Years ago, I met a man who was born without a sense of smell. He didn't know what he was missing, and didn't seem troubled.  I remember contemplating what that would be like. I was convinced he didn't enjoy his food as much.

But our sense of smell serves more of a purpose than just enhancing our eating experience. Our nose can smell danger. Like a fire!  Or food that is going bad.

I have a feeling I would sense smoke; considering the burning nostril sensation I had when I smelled Tiger Balm.

The loss of the sense of smell is called "anosmia".  It can be temporary or permanent. It can be simply a response to a cold, or sinus infection. Or it could signal a more serious medical condition. Like a brain tumor.

The weird thing is that several months ago I constantly smelled burning oil. I'm not sure if I blogged about it. It was so strange.  I told my nurse practitioner at my last visit. She just stared at me.

Now, I find there is a disorder called "phantosmia", which is smelling an odor that is not really there. It is in fact an "olfactory hallucination" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantosmia)

Phantosmia can be caused by a brain tumor (http://scarysymptoms.com/2017/02/brain-tumor-can-cause-smelling-something-bad-thats-not/).

And what about this super good mood I find myself in today? I love it! I feel like I am floating. I do not hurt. I am not anxious or depressed. Am I on the upside of my bipolar disorder (never officially diagnosed, but all my loved ones nod knowingly when I ask if they think I am bipolor...lol)


Brain tumors apparently can be the cause of depression (https://psychcentral.com/news/2016/06/28/brain-tumors-may-present-as-depressive-symptoms/105440.html)

Brain tumors can also be the cause of mania (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4009161).

Not to be a hyperchondriac or anything, but all signs are pointing to brain tumor.

So I made an appointment with my nurse practitioner next week. I imagine she will give me "that look", but it's worth a shot.

I am determined to get to the bottom of myself!

While for now, I am floating above myself!

Sorry for the weird post. You have now experienced Manic Me!

Happy Manic Thursday!

I wonder who I'll be tomorrow?

See you then!

Love,

Zita


P.S. Here is today's hooping video. I didn't start out feeling so great. Was very tired this morning.  Maybe it was the low sodium vegetable juice I drank?


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