My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

AIBU?

to think she can't smell and it's my grandad's fault

119 replies

GrumpyMcGrumpyFace · 24/05/2016 20:54

DD (7) has always said that she can't smell. To be honest I've never really thought much about it thinking that it was a developmental thing and she would start to recognise smells as she got older. Only she hasn't. When ever I ask if she can smell a strong smell, her answer is no and there is no reaction from her. She never comments on smells. Last time we went to see the GP I mentioned it to him. He kind of laughed it off saying that she must be able to as if she wasn't able to smell she wouldn't be able to taste and she does taste different things.

I always knew that my mum couldn't smell and thought it was because of an accident that she had when she was a girl. However, I found out today that my granddad couldn't smell either. He received a facial injury in WW2 that left him partially sighted and without a sense of smell.

So, AIBU to think that there has been an intergenerational transmission of trauma which has meant that my daughter isn't able to smell or has a very poor sense of smell?

and

AIBU not to do anything about it because it doesn't have any affect on her life in anyway, although it would be good to know for future reference.

OP posts:
Report
SnuffleGruntSnorter · 24/05/2016 20:56

That's not how genetics works.

Report
acasualobserver · 24/05/2016 20:56

an intergenerational transmission of trauma

Is that even possible?

Report
Salmotrutta · 24/05/2016 20:57

"Inter generational transmission of trauma".

Hahahahaha.

Report
Hawkmoth · 24/05/2016 20:57

My grandad had no sense of smell following an accident. It can't be passed down genetically.

As for not doing anything about it, I think you should. My DH has a very very poor sense of smell and it can be dangerous. One day we set off on holiday with a broken fuel line and three kids in the car. If I hadn't smelt the petrol God only knows what would have happened.

Report
UterusUterusGhali · 24/05/2016 20:58

Ffs.

Report
RubbleBubble00 · 24/05/2016 20:58

No

Report
Oliviaerinpope · 24/05/2016 20:58

Isn't it more likely to be a genetic factor that family members have mistakenly linked to traumatic events?

Report
Salmotrutta · 24/05/2016 20:59

And what can be done about no sense of smell then?

Is there a treatment?

I'll bet there isn't

Report
BrienneAndTormund · 24/05/2016 20:59

Are you for real?

Report
EatShitDerek · 24/05/2016 20:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AlmaMartyr · 24/05/2016 20:59

Are you positive she can taste? My sense of smell and taste are virtually non-existent. I still talk about how things taste etc, because that's the language I'm used to but I generally mean texture etc.

Mine is linked to ENT issues.

Report
BastardGoDarkly · 24/05/2016 21:00

How very odd, it can't be due to your gf's accident.

And yes, you should have it investigated.

Report
SolomanDaisy · 24/05/2016 21:00

Did they stop teaching Biology in schools?

Report
PandasRock · 24/05/2016 21:00

Is it a possibility that actually she has am a ute sense of smell and is blocking out the signals?

I spent most of my childhood believing I had an extremely poor sense of smell, and it was only once I was an adult I realised that actually I can smell, only too well rather not not well enough, and so I (now subconsciously) block out most of it as I cannot process it if I don't.

Report
MooPointCowsOpinion · 24/05/2016 21:00

No sense of smell is quite serious, why wouldn't you be asking for your doctor to take this more seriously?

Some anosmics can taste and some can't. The trigenimal system (sp?) is linked to a tingly feeling in nerves too so some smells can be 'sensed' even without smelling them.

To sum up. Your doctor is crap.

Report
firesidechat · 24/05/2016 21:02

Please say that you're not serious.

Report
MrsSpecter · 24/05/2016 21:02

You think an accident that happened to your grandfather has passed on the effects through his genes to your child? Confused

Report
MunchMunch · 24/05/2016 21:02

I have a poor sense of smell and my db has no sense of smell at all due to nose bleeds/cauterisation when he was young. I don't think what you suggest is possible so I don't think it's your granda's fault but I'm no doctor.

Report
VodkaValiumLattePlease · 24/05/2016 21:04

My partner can't smell but can taste so I don't know what that doctors going on about Confused there is a test but it's .... Painful

Report
wheresthetea · 24/05/2016 21:04

Apparently there is such a thing as congenital anosmia, obviously the trauma would have to be a red herring though.

Report
DaveCamoron · 24/05/2016 21:05

And the most barmy thread of the day award goes to...

Report
firesidechat · 24/05/2016 21:05

Do you believe that sins are passed on to the next generation too? Confused

Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

PPie10 · 24/05/2016 21:06

You sound like a precious loon.

Report
ToriaPumpkin · 24/05/2016 21:06

I lost my sense of smell following a head injury when I was 18. It's coming back now but I have good days and bad. Even at the worst point (couldn't smell TCP held under my nose) I could taste, though I sometimes got things mixed up (tomato soup always tasted of garlic).

It's been problematic. I nearly blew up my house when the gas got knocked on, thankfully I heard the hiss before I pressed the ignitor.

Fortunately my Drs have taken me seriously, and I've had investigations. Unfortunately, there was nothing that could be done due to the injury in question.

I'd go back and ask again.

Report
derxa · 24/05/2016 21:07
Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.