Woman who kept smelling bacon | The Sun

Lucy Younger, a 23-year-old who was about to start university, experienced unusual symptoms including “zoning out,” visual hallucinations (seeing pink elephants and rollercoasters), and smelling bacon constantly, despite being a vegetarian. Initially, she was misdiagnosed with panic disorder and prescribed antidepressants after visiting her GP several times. The symptoms were initially thought to be due to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), but a CT scan later revealed a benign brain tumor on her frontal lobe, requiring urgent surgery.

The “zoning out” episodes were actually seizures caused by epilepsy. The hallucinations and other sensory experiences, like tasting metal and experiencing pins and needles, were part of her condition. Lucy’s journey to diagnosis was challenging; she initially downplayed the symptoms, attributing them to anxiety due to her move from Newquay, Cornwall, to London. However, her condition worsened, leading to severe migraines and numbness on one side of her body.

After returning home to Newquay during the Covid lockdown, Lucy’s symptoms intensified, leading her to seek medical help again. A different

GP suggested her symptoms might be related to fluctuating hormones or PCOS. However, still unsatisfied and feeling helpless, Lucy contacted a local pharmacist, who advocated for her to have a CT scan. The scan eventually led to the diagnosis of a benign brain tumor.

Lucy underwent a craniotomy to remove the tumor, which caused short-term memory loss and required her to take a year off from university for recovery. She had to relearn basic skills, like walking and ballet, which she had been practicing since her teenage years. The experience also led to the discovery of her dyslexia, which was related to her brain tumor.

In July 2021, Lucy returned to complete her English degree at Goldsmiths and graduated a year later. Her ordeal highlights the importance of advocating for oneself in medical situations and the complexities of diagnosing neurological conditions.