Anyone else got no sense of taste or smell?
Discussion
Just before Xmas 2003, I had a sinus infection that laid me low for a week. When I recovered, I was so glad not to be feeling utterly grotty any more that it took me a while to notice that my previously normal senses of smell and taste hadn't returned.
Now, more than 2 years on, they still haven't. I can't smell a thing, and my taste is very basic - I can distinguish between sweet and savoury, but that's about it.
My GP was baffled, and sent me to an ENT specialist, who blithely told me the sinus infection had probably permanently destroyed my smell and taste receptors, and nothing could be done about it. I also had a CAT scan - nothing untoward was found.
So is anyone else here in the same boat? I'm going to see another specialist for a second opinion later this week - any tips on what I should be asking him/her? I'm determined not to give up until I feel I've exhausted all possible avenues.
Thanks in advance, and sorry about the depressing post on such a lovely morning!
Now, more than 2 years on, they still haven't. I can't smell a thing, and my taste is very basic - I can distinguish between sweet and savoury, but that's about it.
My GP was baffled, and sent me to an ENT specialist, who blithely told me the sinus infection had probably permanently destroyed my smell and taste receptors, and nothing could be done about it. I also had a CAT scan - nothing untoward was found.
So is anyone else here in the same boat? I'm going to see another specialist for a second opinion later this week - any tips on what I should be asking him/her? I'm determined not to give up until I feel I've exhausted all possible avenues.
Thanks in advance, and sorry about the depressing post on such a lovely morning!
Jaglover said:
I know a man with no sense of taste
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=237535&f=6&h=0
i know 2 people with similar problems....one could not smell at all and the other has a very limited sense of taste....he eats the Hottest curries and claims he can hardly taste them!!!
My mum lost her sense of smell completely following a brain haemorrhage. She says it's a weird way to be because she can't cook properly, she's paranoid about food being off, she won't have any sort of gas appliances in case there's a leak and she can't smell it... all sorts of things that you wouldn't think of initially.
It's virtually impossible to lose your sense of taste, but most of what we perceive as tasting is actually smell.
From my own point of view, it was years before I discovered what decent cooking tasted like!
It's virtually impossible to lose your sense of taste, but most of what we perceive as tasting is actually smell.
From my own point of view, it was years before I discovered what decent cooking tasted like!
Ah, I was waiting for the "no sense of taste" gags - I've heard 'em all this past couple of years.
As for curries, I get all of the heat but none of the flavour, which is a real bummer, as I used to love them.
The acupuncture idea's interesting...if the ENT specialist can't come up with anything, I may well put my suspicions about alternative therapy aside and give it a try.
TonyHetherington said:No worries! In truth, it hardly affects me at all - my flat has smoke detectors in every room, no gas supply (it didn't anyway - just a lucky coincidence), and I have to inspect food (especially meat) carefully before cooking it in case it's gone off, and double-check 'best before' dates.
I'm sorry, I don't have anything worthwhile to add but I just wanted to ask - how does it affect you on an everyday basis? I mean, you can eat anything I guess, but can't smell gas, or petrol, or smoke?!
Sorry if this seems intrusive!
As for curries, I get all of the heat but none of the flavour, which is a real bummer, as I used to love them.
The acupuncture idea's interesting...if the ENT specialist can't come up with anything, I may well put my suspicions about alternative therapy aside and give it a try.
DrSeuss said:
My GP was baffled, and sent me to an ENT specialist, who blithely told me the sinus infection had probably permanently destroyed my smell and taste receptors, and nothing could be done about it. I also had a CAT scan - nothing untoward was found.
So is anyone else here in the same boat?
Not the same but similar. Had a severe head cold / flu-like thing about 5 years ago. Once it was over, I'd partially lost hearing in one ear. Did the same kind of rounds - GP, ENT, CAT scan. End result: "Its just one of those things - nerves damaged by the infection; tough luck".
I have the opposite problem...
My senses of taste and particularly smell seem to be far more acute than other people's. This is a disadvantage in a lot of situations. In the office, I can smell bad breath from the next bay, and I can also smell any smokers walking past my bay. I can't bear people chewing gum or eating sweets as I find the smell completely overpowering. If I am in a car with someone eating a mint it is the smell equivalent of someone shouting in my ear! In fact, every person has a smell of some sort, and some people I just can't bear to talk to for very long because of it!
My senses of taste and particularly smell seem to be far more acute than other people's. This is a disadvantage in a lot of situations. In the office, I can smell bad breath from the next bay, and I can also smell any smokers walking past my bay. I can't bear people chewing gum or eating sweets as I find the smell completely overpowering. If I am in a car with someone eating a mint it is the smell equivalent of someone shouting in my ear! In fact, every person has a smell of some sort, and some people I just can't bear to talk to for very long because of it!
How does this problem affect the way you eat? Does it change your choices of food and is food such an important part of your life as it was with full smell and taste senses?
Just wondering as I've always struggled with my weight, despite a very rigourous exercise regime (now even including racing mountain bikes) as my one big weakness in life is food. My wandering brain has often gone on to thinking that if I couldn't tase or smell food as well as I do, would I be able to regulate what I eat more effectively? Would I be less likely to pig out if the lack of taste and smell meant eating was no longer the pleasure it is now?
Sorry, no help for you, just wondering!
Just wondering as I've always struggled with my weight, despite a very rigourous exercise regime (now even including racing mountain bikes) as my one big weakness in life is food. My wandering brain has often gone on to thinking that if I couldn't tase or smell food as well as I do, would I be able to regulate what I eat more effectively? Would I be less likely to pig out if the lack of taste and smell meant eating was no longer the pleasure it is now?
Sorry, no help for you, just wondering!
RobM77: Your condition sounds like hyperosmia, but info on it is as hard to come by as info on mine.
vetteheadracer: It'd be worth getting yourself referred to a specialist if you haven't already. You might just have nasal polyps, which are operable.
Jay GTI: You've hit upon the one advantage of not being able to taste - I do tend to eat more healthily these days. Might as well have a salad instead of a steak if it all tastes the same, and I don't bother with desserts any more either, as they just taste generically sweet, like a mouthful of sugar. On balance, though, I'd still rather have my taste & smell back.
>> Edited by DrSeuss on Tuesday 24th January 14:17
vetteheadracer: It'd be worth getting yourself referred to a specialist if you haven't already. You might just have nasal polyps, which are operable.
Jay GTI: You've hit upon the one advantage of not being able to taste - I do tend to eat more healthily these days. Might as well have a salad instead of a steak if it all tastes the same, and I don't bother with desserts any more either, as they just taste generically sweet, like a mouthful of sugar. On balance, though, I'd still rather have my taste & smell back.
>> Edited by DrSeuss on Tuesday 24th January 14:17
DrSeuss said:
RobM77: Your condition sounds like hyperosmia, but info on it is as hard to come by as info on mine.
Thanks! Fascinating. I've followed the link and read about it and many of the experiences people have seem very similar to mine, which is comforting. One woman said that she can't read certain newspapers because of the smell - I'm exactly the same and I get a horrible 'metallic' taste in my mouth when I do (I've seen an allergy specialist about this). It tends to be the cheaper newspapers that do it, and I can't read any newspaper when I'm eating at all, or even have one on the table. I also have an allergy for nuts and fruit, which is very annoying (as I love fresh fruit in particular and am keen on healthy eating), but some of the stuff I've just read has got me wondering if my allergies are linked to this sensitivity to smell and taste!
Also, I wonder if sensitivity can be a generally holistic thing, as my sense of balance and touch are also quite delicate. I play the guitar and cello, and have to play every day to keep enough hard skin on my fingertips to manage it. I also can't open bottles with serated tops unless I use a towel over them (or adjust the seat rake in an early Mk2 Vectra! or use some Vectra steering wheels without gloves on). I get dizzy and sea sick amazingly easily, but also find that I can balance very well (for instance standing on one leg with my eyes shut and my arms out is a doddle). Before you think I'm showing off, this is not always a good thing!! I can't stand cross channel ferries and get car sick very easily indeed - not to mention the effects of drink on my balance!
DrSeuss said:
RobM77: Your condition sounds like hyperosmia, but info on it is as hard to come by as info on mine.
vetteheadracer: It'd be worth getting yourself referred to a specialist if you haven't already. You might just have nasal polyps, which are operable.
Jay GTI: You've hit upon the one advantage of not being able to taste - I do tend to eat more healthily these days. Might as well have a salad instead of a steak if it all tastes the same, and I don't bother with desserts any more either, as they just taste generically sweet, like a mouthful of sugar. On balance, though, I'd still rather have my taste & smell back.
>> Edited by DrSeuss on Tuesday 24th January 14:17
My problems stem from a broken nose whilst playing rugby at about age 14.....nose has never been the same since!
I work in a chemistry lab, and I find that after a few days work in the lab my sense of smell (and therefore taste) is much reduced. Often you find with certain chemicals that your first noseful of them stinks, but subsequently they don't smell at all. We used some quite stinky stuff in my lab (mostly phosphines and amines are the culprits).
When I'm on holiday, after about a week my sense of smell returns. My first day back in the lab is always a smelly one.
I find it pretty frustrating not being to smell stuff too well most of the time... I can't imagine what it must be like for this to be a permanent state of affairs... I hope you can find some treatment!
When I'm on holiday, after about a week my sense of smell returns. My first day back in the lab is always a smelly one.
I find it pretty frustrating not being to smell stuff too well most of the time... I can't imagine what it must be like for this to be a permanent state of affairs... I hope you can find some treatment!
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