Sinuses...no taste miserable.

[Aswewalkinfieldsofgold]

Has anyone got any suggestions on how I can bring my taste back? I love food and haven't been able to taste for a month, I'm so miserable. I've not had COVID, I've always lost my taste/smell when I get a cold/have blocked sinuses. However it's usually a week max and it improves.

I have chronic sinus issues (blocked, pain, headaches) but been on a steroid nasal spray for years and it has helped a lot. However a month ago I caught a cough/cold (which wasn't that bad however I was on bed for days due to being exhausted, weak and having a fever and chills) and it's gone straight to my sinuses. I can breathe ok but feel the pressure higher up and am constantly clearing my throat.

I'm at a loss! So far I've tried...

• Mometasone steroid spray (using for years)
• daily antihistamine
• ibuprofen to reduce inflammation
• daily nasal rinses
• sinus massage
• warm compress
• steam inhalation with olbass oil
• even tried antibiotics as I had some left over
• when I first became ill used occasional sudafed plus cold/flu tabs
• sinus relief meds.

• just to add; my smell came back a bit a few days ago but I still couldn't taste and today my ability to smell has reduced a bit.

I feel I may be out of options 😭

Also to add; the nasal rinse doesn't seem to go much as there's no "gunk" as such...just clear when I blow my nose. It's all higher up.

Could you have polyps? After years of sinus infections and latterly loss of smell, I found that I had a nasal polyp. I had it removed a few months ago and it has improved my day to day life immeasurably. Unfortunately, the ENT Surgeon says my sense of smell is unlikely to improve.

@womananddog I've no idea! I've had sinus issues for years but never once had my nose looked at or examined. I assume you need to be referred to ENT to get that diagnosed?
Do you have any smell at all? That's awful to think it may not come back! I can definitely feel I'm still blocked and am constantly clearing my throat.

OP, you could be telling my story. I have been plagued by post nasal drip, sinus problems and allergies for decades and like you, every time I get a cold I lose all sense of taste. It’s bloody miserable. I got prescribed Dymista nasal spray and it’s been great. It’s a combined steroid and anti-histamine and it has made such a difference to me.

@Aswewalkinfieldsofgold I have some smell but it is not as good as it used to be - the smell needs to be quite strong. I had years of feeling constantly blocked on one side despite doing all the things you describe (minus the steriod spray which I have now been prescribed). After a holiday, my DD told me I was stopping breathing briefly in my sleep. I did some googling and then presented my case to my GP who then referred me to ENT https://www.uofmhealth.org/conditions-treatments/ear-nose-throat/sinus/chronic-sinusitis-nasal-polyps#:~:text=Because%20patients%20can't%20breathe,a%20substantial%20effect%20on%20patients. It sounds pathetic but I can't tell you how much my quality of life has improved.

@WinterMorn so sorry to hear you suffer too, it's miserable! How long is the longest you've lost your taste? I'm worried mine won't come back!
I've not heard of that nasal spray, so will look into it. I wonder if it's similar to the mometasone steroid spray I use...which was working well but when I get a cold etc, it's straight to my sinuses.

Sympathies OP, Im sorry to say I dont have good news. I had an operation on my sinuses after many years of this. Im als on the strongest dose of flexinase I can be on

The surgeon told me 'it may not fix the problem, its something you just have to manage'

Mine went on 23rd December. Still not back. I had the op 2 years ago, within weeks of recovery my smell and taste went again

I must spend about half the year without it. It goes for weeks at a time.

Also dont count out silent reflux as either contributing to it or making it worse. I suspecgt this for me too.

The longest time was for about 6-7 weeks. The first time it happened GP begrudgingly gave antibiotics in case it was a sinus infection but time and frequently shoving an Olbas Oil stick up my nose ultimately proved more effective. The last time it really impacted was Nov 23 when a heavy cold ended up with me going to a private GP online and getting prescribed Dymista. I now have an emergency bottle in the cupboard as it also helps with severe allergy attacks. I wouldn’t be without it.

Don’t lose hope, your taste WILL come back - although interestingly, for me it’s always a gradual process.

It’s such a relief to read about others in the same boat as it can be a very isolating experience! You truly don’t realise what you’ve got till it’s gone.

Its utterly depressing and like others here, I havent got a 'cold' or gunged up sinses, they're perfectly free flowing, mores the pity.

I swing between the two!

I get this multiple times a year when I get a sinus infection. It takes forever to clear.

I'm on a waiting list for the ENT, I'm not hopeful that I'll ever be seen though

Buy some of this. https://www.superdrug.com/health/cough-cold-flu/cold-remedies/nasal-inhalers/superdrug-decongestent-saline-nasal-spray-100ml/p/811096
Its just saline so no time limits on usage
Try to do a hot vicks bowl once a month
and if needs be a neti pot as well

Salt is the only thing that works long term

I

Thank you all for the experiences and advice. You've given me hope...that there is no hope 🤣
Looks like a long road to hopeful recovery! I just want to taste again 😭

I have permanently lost my sense of smell for different reasons. When I was trying to get my sense of taste back, it was suggested to me by a dietician that I regularly taste something sweet, something bitter, something sour and something salty, so a shot each of salty water, sugary water, vinegar and strong coffee. She recommended I do this a few times a day. Not really sure if it helped or not, but wouldn't hurt for you to give it a go.