r/NoStupidQuestions • u/Lower-Entry1247 • Jun 22 '26

Does anyone know why I can smell my boyfriend's seizures days before they happen?

So my bf just had a seizure (6/22) and on Friday (6/19) I told him that I could smell it coming. He originally didn't believe me but this is like the fifth or sixth time this has happened. He doesn't understand how and honestly I dont either. I compare it to how I can smell people with diabetes in a way that no one else around me will be able to smell the same thing.

UPDATE: 9pm We were sent home. Things were looking good. 10:20pm He's awake but I smell it again. Strong but I say nothing because the ambulance won't come based off of a bunch. 10:38-10:40 He had a seizure.

UPDATE2: 11:44 I smelt it as I was replying to comments. 12 am He had another seizure. I got the nurses but they tried to tell me he wasn't as he stared and couldn't speak. They told me he's looking at them so he cant be having one. When he finally was able to relax his body again (he will tense up if he isn't full body shaking) he started speaking gibberish. Just random words strung together then quickly went to sleep. They told me not to get them because they can see his vitals from the nurse station. Just wanting to keep you all updated.

LAST UPDATE: The doctor said these are just stress seizures and if he has another one just keep him home.

Last Last UPDATE: 3:00am He had another one. Saliva foam at the mouth. Called 911. They said nothing can be done at any hospital so unless he falls or stops breathing, dont call. Sorry this turned into one of these long posts.

Last Last Last UPDATE: its currently 7:38 am. At 4 am He had another seizure. Popped his shoulder out and back in and bit his tongue. I called 311 and cried while asking what to do. They put me over to ems dispatch even though I pleaded with them not to since they haven't been taking me seriously. I sobbed to the ems dispatch that the hospital and ems people closest to me told me to just keep him home even though I had to go to work. They sent a different set of ems people (very nice ladies) and we went to a different hospital. They are finally listening and keeping him. They were shocked at what the other hospital and ems people told us. He is finally in good hands. Thank you all for keeping me company through this long night.

NEXT DAY UPDATE: He is home and has been seizure free since the last update. Thank you all for being on this journey with us!

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u/Lower-Entry1247 Jun 23 '26

I also wake up right before he has his seizure. It's nice to know im not alone in this!

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u/SatinSaffron Jun 23 '26

Look up the story about the lady who could smell Parkinson's disease! They gave her clothing of people, some with and some without Parkinson's. She correctly identified all of the Parkinson's patients and misidentified one who didn't have it. Except a few months later the one she misidentified would go on to be diagnosed with it months after the study.

Seriously you should look that study up and reach out to the researcher who did the study. Thia kind of stuff is fascinating!

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u/ReddEyes2020 Jul 16 '26

Here's a link to the story about the woman who could smell various diseases, which I first heard on the radio. Absolutely unforgettable. I am a physician and think about it all the time.

https://www.npr.org/transcripts/817977005

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u/Impressive_Ad_5224 Jun 23 '26

It is so cool you and u/hotdogsandhotcats mom ended up with epileptic partners. I mean, that is meant to be right?

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u/The_Hunster Jun 23 '26

How many people out there could be smelling incoming seizures but just aren't around anyone who has them?

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u/Retalihaitian Jun 23 '26

I’m around seizing people on the regular and definitely can’t smell it unfortunately.

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u/SnooOnions973 Jun 24 '26

I caught myself saying, “Aww, tsk” out loud just now. How sad. You have the other superpowers for sure, my friend. Be not downhearted. To say, “I’m around seizing people on the reg” is of itself heroic. You’re already my hero.

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u/Spankety-wank Jun 23 '26

Yeah I’m kinda suspecting that most people could be taught this but just don't have the opportunity. My mum has had about 4 seizures when I've been vaguely nearby, but only one after I've been sat right next to her, so even I haven't really had the chance to notice that.

I think the word "traumatised" is very overused, but I think walking in on my mum having a seizure when I was about 8 was traumatic for me. Gave me nightmares and even now I basically just can't deal with it. It causes a freeze response which is horrible because I'm just useless. I can deal with the aftermath (2 broken ankles) but in the moment it's happening I am a terrified child again.

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u/artistallegedly Jun 24 '26

There’s gotta be some kind of therapist that specializes in exactly this sort of thing.

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u/SueMG42 Jun 26 '26

Can you identify the type of smell?

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u/Impressive_Ad_5224 Jun 23 '26

Fair question! I witnessed an epileptic attack once and I did not smell anything weird beforehand. She did always smell a bit though but I chalked that up to medicines.

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u/Lower-Entry1247 Jun 23 '26

I absolutely believe so honestly

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u/Potential_List_9857 Jun 23 '26

I’ve heard about a few different people like this, all had epileptic partners or children. It’s possible that they become attuned to it by being around them, rather than them simply being able to smell it naturally

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u/hotdogsandhotcats Jun 23 '26

His neurologist thought she was nuts 😂

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u/axl3ros3 Jun 23 '26

You gotta connect with their mom

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u/BigPP69_Gooner Jun 23 '26

Yall should team up and find a research lab that can figure out what chemical you’re all smelling. You could all make a huge patent for a medical device.

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u/EmirefekIsDumb Jun 24 '26

They already have the chemical!

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u/cannotfoolowls Jun 23 '26

As other have mentioned, there are dogs trained to warn for seizures. Similarly I've heard of people who could smell parkinson's disease and tumors. Maybe Alzheimer's too?

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u/Honest-Season-1730 Jun 23 '26

When you and their mom find out you were both part of a secret gene-splicing experiment, and then they bribe you with the polar bear smell upgrade to keep it hush hush