smelling like medicine

ej0820

New member
hey all...

So I'm sure a lot of you know from my recent posts that I'm in the hosp. on IVs. I've noticed an increasingly strong odor since I've been on these meds (I think it's specifically cefoxitin). I feel like I smell like medicine. It's not my room or my IV pump being near me that I smell. I really think it's ME. It's not a B.O. kind of smell or anything else like that. It's almost like my skin is just emitting the smell of the IVs. Has anyone experienced this? I've doused my clothes in perfume and body spray and I've been showering (as best as I can with a brand new port) everyday making sure to wash my hair really well, shave and always put deodorant on. But by the end of the day, after a days worth of IVs, I feel like I start smelling like perfume, deodorant AND meds! I feel like this funk is on my clothes and everything. I've mentioned something to my mom and she said she didn't notice anything, so I'm hoping it's not as strong as I feel like it is.

Has anyone ever smelled like the abx you were on? What did you do to help it? I'm assuming it will go away eventually, but until then, any suggestions?
 

ej0820

New member
hey all...

So I'm sure a lot of you know from my recent posts that I'm in the hosp. on IVs. I've noticed an increasingly strong odor since I've been on these meds (I think it's specifically cefoxitin). I feel like I smell like medicine. It's not my room or my IV pump being near me that I smell. I really think it's ME. It's not a B.O. kind of smell or anything else like that. It's almost like my skin is just emitting the smell of the IVs. Has anyone experienced this? I've doused my clothes in perfume and body spray and I've been showering (as best as I can with a brand new port) everyday making sure to wash my hair really well, shave and always put deodorant on. But by the end of the day, after a days worth of IVs, I feel like I start smelling like perfume, deodorant AND meds! I feel like this funk is on my clothes and everything. I've mentioned something to my mom and she said she didn't notice anything, so I'm hoping it's not as strong as I feel like it is.

Has anyone ever smelled like the abx you were on? What did you do to help it? I'm assuming it will go away eventually, but until then, any suggestions?
 

ej0820

New member
hey all...
<br />
<br />So I'm sure a lot of you know from my recent posts that I'm in the hosp. on IVs. I've noticed an increasingly strong odor since I've been on these meds (I think it's specifically cefoxitin). I feel like I smell like medicine. It's not my room or my IV pump being near me that I smell. I really think it's ME. It's not a B.O. kind of smell or anything else like that. It's almost like my skin is just emitting the smell of the IVs. Has anyone experienced this? I've doused my clothes in perfume and body spray and I've been showering (as best as I can with a brand new port) everyday making sure to wash my hair really well, shave and always put deodorant on. But by the end of the day, after a days worth of IVs, I feel like I start smelling like perfume, deodorant AND meds! I feel like this funk is on my clothes and everything. I've mentioned something to my mom and she said she didn't notice anything, so I'm hoping it's not as strong as I feel like it is.
<br />
<br />Has anyone ever smelled like the abx you were on? What did you do to help it? I'm assuming it will go away eventually, but until then, any suggestions?
 

robert321

New member
I've noticed it as well, but no one else ever seems to notice. I've decided that it's either traces of the med in your sweat (because you sweat a little regardless of activity) or it's the medicines in your body messing with the receptors in your nose so you start smelling it.
Thats the best theory I've got, I figure, if while the med is being infused you can taste it, it stands to reason that it could be in the receptors in your nose making you smell it. Smell and taste are very closely related.
If it's going away with a shower I would tend to think its your sweat, but if it's strongest right after an infusion I would think that because that's when the concentration is highest, you would smell it most then if that's what causing it.
Ceftaz, fortaz, whatever name its being called, just stinks, if a little gets spilled in your room, the smell fills the room. It makes your urine unbearable (or at least it does mine)and when I get sweaty while on it, I get pretty rank.
 

robert321

New member
I've noticed it as well, but no one else ever seems to notice. I've decided that it's either traces of the med in your sweat (because you sweat a little regardless of activity) or it's the medicines in your body messing with the receptors in your nose so you start smelling it.
Thats the best theory I've got, I figure, if while the med is being infused you can taste it, it stands to reason that it could be in the receptors in your nose making you smell it. Smell and taste are very closely related.
If it's going away with a shower I would tend to think its your sweat, but if it's strongest right after an infusion I would think that because that's when the concentration is highest, you would smell it most then if that's what causing it.
Ceftaz, fortaz, whatever name its being called, just stinks, if a little gets spilled in your room, the smell fills the room. It makes your urine unbearable (or at least it does mine)and when I get sweaty while on it, I get pretty rank.
 

robert321

New member
I've noticed it as well, but no one else ever seems to notice. I've decided that it's either traces of the med in your sweat (because you sweat a little regardless of activity) or it's the medicines in your body messing with the receptors in your nose so you start smelling it.
<br />Thats the best theory I've got, I figure, if while the med is being infused you can taste it, it stands to reason that it could be in the receptors in your nose making you smell it. Smell and taste are very closely related.
<br />If it's going away with a shower I would tend to think its your sweat, but if it's strongest right after an infusion I would think that because that's when the concentration is highest, you would smell it most then if that's what causing it.
<br />Ceftaz, fortaz, whatever name its being called, just stinks, if a little gets spilled in your room, the smell fills the room. It makes your urine unbearable (or at least it does mine)and when I get sweaty while on it, I get pretty rank.
 

JustDucky

New member
Yes! I totally get this....I actually have the smell of antibiotics coming out in my sweat and I have to say, Merrem is right up there as being the stinkiest. Kind of smells like panther pee if you know what I mean <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> LOL I too am currently in the hospital, on Vanco and Merrem and def smell that Merrem on myself. What I do is do frequent sponge baths to get it off of my skin, I itch like hell otherwise (as well as stink like a zoo animal). I also taste my meds, that's probably one of the reasons food is so unappetizing to me while on IVT. Oh, frequent bed changes help cut down the smell, I sweat terribly right through everything...my gown, sheets, you get the picture. A fresh bed makes me feel better too <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
Hugs to you,
Jenn
 

JustDucky

New member
Yes! I totally get this....I actually have the smell of antibiotics coming out in my sweat and I have to say, Merrem is right up there as being the stinkiest. Kind of smells like panther pee if you know what I mean <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> LOL I too am currently in the hospital, on Vanco and Merrem and def smell that Merrem on myself. What I do is do frequent sponge baths to get it off of my skin, I itch like hell otherwise (as well as stink like a zoo animal). I also taste my meds, that's probably one of the reasons food is so unappetizing to me while on IVT. Oh, frequent bed changes help cut down the smell, I sweat terribly right through everything...my gown, sheets, you get the picture. A fresh bed makes me feel better too <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
Hugs to you,
Jenn
 

JustDucky

New member
Yes! I totally get this....I actually have the smell of antibiotics coming out in my sweat and I have to say, Merrem is right up there as being the stinkiest. Kind of smells like panther pee if you know what I mean <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> LOL I too am currently in the hospital, on Vanco and Merrem and def smell that Merrem on myself. What I do is do frequent sponge baths to get it off of my skin, I itch like hell otherwise (as well as stink like a zoo animal). I also taste my meds, that's probably one of the reasons food is so unappetizing to me while on IVT. Oh, frequent bed changes help cut down the smell, I sweat terribly right through everything...my gown, sheets, you get the picture. A fresh bed makes me feel better too <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
<br />Hugs to you,
<br />Jenn
 

ej0820

New member
I'm on merrem, too...maybe that's why I'm so stinky, lol. And pee...tell me about it! Right now, my pee stench fills my entire bathroom (at least it feels like it does).

Thanks guys, haha.
 

ej0820

New member
I'm on merrem, too...maybe that's why I'm so stinky, lol. And pee...tell me about it! Right now, my pee stench fills my entire bathroom (at least it feels like it does).

Thanks guys, haha.
 

ej0820

New member
I'm on merrem, too...maybe that's why I'm so stinky, lol. And pee...tell me about it! Right now, my pee stench fills my entire bathroom (at least it feels like it does).
<br />
<br />Thanks guys, haha.
 
W

windex125

Guest
I agree with exactly what Robert said, I've had this as well, it's like when I eat too much garlic. and I eat alot of garlic. EJ you sound better today, I am glad, maybe I am reading between the lines but after the whole port placment, you just sound better.
 
W

windex125

Guest
I agree with exactly what Robert said, I've had this as well, it's like when I eat too much garlic. and I eat alot of garlic. EJ you sound better today, I am glad, maybe I am reading between the lines but after the whole port placment, you just sound better.
 
W

windex125

Guest
I agree with exactly what Robert said, I've had this as well, it's like when I eat too much garlic. and I eat alot of garlic. EJ you sound better today, I am glad, maybe I am reading between the lines but after the whole port placment, you just sound better.
 

ej0820

New member
Pat,

You are exactly right. I've been feeling better and better about the whole port thing and am much better today. This weekend had me sooo frustrated and on top of all the port issues, two docs kept coming in with new IVs, new plans, new ideas...I couldn't keep anything straight as far as meds went and my port wouldn't work. There was talk of having to replace it, which just had me even more disappointed.

Things are still working better though, my port is finally benefiting me instead of causing headache...it has me excited again that I got it. Thanks for your support,

<img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">
 

ej0820

New member
Pat,

You are exactly right. I've been feeling better and better about the whole port thing and am much better today. This weekend had me sooo frustrated and on top of all the port issues, two docs kept coming in with new IVs, new plans, new ideas...I couldn't keep anything straight as far as meds went and my port wouldn't work. There was talk of having to replace it, which just had me even more disappointed.

Things are still working better though, my port is finally benefiting me instead of causing headache...it has me excited again that I got it. Thanks for your support,

<img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">
 

ej0820

New member
Pat,
<br />
<br />You are exactly right. I've been feeling better and better about the whole port thing and am much better today. This weekend had me sooo frustrated and on top of all the port issues, two docs kept coming in with new IVs, new plans, new ideas...I couldn't keep anything straight as far as meds went and my port wouldn't work. There was talk of having to replace it, which just had me even more disappointed.
<br />
<br />Things are still working better though, my port is finally benefiting me instead of causing headache...it has me excited again that I got it. Thanks for your support,
<br />
<br /><img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">
 

Jana

New member
I'm on Fortaz right now and definitely agree with the bad smell of it. Everything that comes out of me stinks, and everything I cough up tastes like it--it's nasty. I'm embarrassed to use the restroom away from home because of the smell.

At least I don't smell it on myself all day, though. That would really be awful!

Hope you continue to feel better in spite of the stink!
 

Jana

New member
I'm on Fortaz right now and definitely agree with the bad smell of it. Everything that comes out of me stinks, and everything I cough up tastes like it--it's nasty. I'm embarrassed to use the restroom away from home because of the smell.

At least I don't smell it on myself all day, though. That would really be awful!

Hope you continue to feel better in spite of the stink!
 
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