Loss of smell taste

[stopitandtidyupp]

I lost my sense of smell and taste for 3 months. Doctor says it must be an allergy use beconase. I do thos for a month. Smell and taste come back temporarily but not much.

I see an ENT specialist he says can see no obstruction so double dose the tablets and beconase. Smell and taste do come back now and then.

6 months on smell and taste disappear all of the time. Then come back again periodically but mainly gone.

Does anyone have any experience?

Yep have had exactly the same experience and I’m really sorry to hear as I know exactly how awful it is!

I was completely unable to smell (and therefore taste!!) for the best part of 9 months a couple of years ago, after a bit of to and fro with the ENT specialists, allergies explored then possibility of polyps finally had a CT that showed chronic inflammation in my sinuses. I think they may have actually used the word ‘diseased’ but I can’t remember for definite. Only option to clear it up completely was surgery so was all set to go (at this point I was desperate - none of the sprays/drops/antihistamines or antibiotics id be given had made any difference) but as a final attempt the consultant gave me 3 week course of prednisolone and instantly (within 24 hours of taking the pred) I got my senses back. Repeated this treatment twice more throughout the year on a lower dose and need to use nasal drops (nasulflex) regularly to keep on top of but for the most part I have about 70% of my sense of taste and smell now to work with (which i’ll accept gladly after nothing) I still have times where they go on me - allergies and illness and cold weather but I’ve come to accept it somewhat now.

Have you had a CT?? That was definitely a turning point in my treatment. I also saw a different ENT specialist as the first didn’t feel able to help me so definitely worth asking if they have a colleague who may be more specialised in nose instead or ears or throat??

And another thing I don’t know if it’s any relevance to you but do you ever experience a sudden return of your senses after having a fright? Like an adrenal rush?? Or running upstairs. I found this happened and realised it must be due to a sudden increase and dilation of the blood vessels in my head. It was reassuring as it proved the olfactory nerves weren’t damaged they were just blocked up.

Hope you get to the bottom of things and find a treatment that works for you.

My Nan loses hers when she suffers from depression. At her lowest point she loses it completely

I had this happen to me, turned out that I was severely anemic, have you had your iron levels checked op!

I lost my sense of taste and smell following a car crash in which I banged my forehead on the steering wheel.
That was four years ago, and there is little chance of it returning.
I can taste bitter and sour, and sometimes sweet, but can't say what it is.
Similarly, I can smell something in the oven occasionally, but not know what it is.

DB had this, it was severe sinus inflammation linked to a dust allergy, but also polyps, he had surgery and takes a daily antihistamine (that didn't work on its own pre surgery) , everything came back, he also gained a stone because he had forgotten how good things taste!

Thanks all. Yes it does return for a bit after exercise but then goes again.

I know in the grand scheme of illnesses there are a lot worse but it does get to you.