Prolonged Taste and Smell Loss

[surreymummy1]

Hi all
I am 5 weeks over COVID now, and still have no taste, other than the basics (sweet,salt) and smell is about 50%. It’s been this way for weeks, in fact, I think it may have got worst, taste especially.
The biggest issue I have, which is killing my mental health, is that I get the first taste (sometimes) of food and then nothing at all. It’s like it’s teasing me.
I really didn’t think this would impact me so hard, never had and experience like this before and it’s hitting me hard. I know there are others that have suffered more and for longer than me, and that makes me feel worse for moaning.
Anyone else have a similar experience to this, and when did it get back to some semblance of normal!

I have been wondering this too! I had covid in October and have very little taste and smell back. Some days I get a whiff of something and it is so lovely! I don't notice the lack of smell until I actually do smell something if that makes sense, then it is so exciting! Same with taste. I think it is normal but then some days I get strong tastes of things and I realise what I have been missing.

I read the virus damages olfactory cells and that it just takes time for them to repair. I am hopeful it won't be permanent since I get the odd 'normalish' days. I guess we just have to be patient!

I was very unwell with covid so tbh this symptom hasn't caused me much distress as I am just relieved to be ok otherwise!

Yes, I am around the same time as you. I can smell and taste some things, it has come back a bit but I thought I was unique saying this but I noticed when eating multiple items, eg,. Ferreros, I taste the first one and then I cannot taste any more! How strange.

Its annoying, I still cannot taste a cup of tea either and I love tea, I can taste coffee sort of but it does not taste normal.

Hoping it comes back properly soon.

I had Covid last March. I have some smell return, but it tends to be distorted - a strong chemical smell. Can't smell most things. Taste is hit and miss. Not too bad, but various things taste horrible now. Have had investigations at the hospital, but the doctors say everything is ok and can't say if I'll ever smell/taste properly again

Fifth Sense has done a lot of work to create a Smell Training toolkit that might help some of you (can be done using items you have at home):

www.fifthsense.org.uk/smell-training/

www.fifthsense.org.uk/smellability-fifth-sense-toolkit-of-smell-training-resources-to-help-people-recover-their-sense-of-smell/

Abscent is similarly a taste and smell disorder charity with good advice:

abscent.org/

So sorry we are all suffering. If smell and taste loss is such a key symptom of COVID there must be loads of us in a similar boat!

skinnybitchwithhotpinklips - Jealous that you can taste tea. I leave the bag in and nothing, added sugar to make it taste of something.

Coffee is a nightmare - my favourite thing, and I have to have it black and mega strong, just to taste bitterness (no coffee taste at all)

Crisps is another one, they all taste of salt, regardless of the flavour!

Oohhaveabanana - The fact that you have something, albeit distorted, means for sure that something is repairing. Hold out, I am sure it will resolve, takes time - loads of time.

My colleague is almost a year with no smell or taste. He is very depressed about it. Sometimes he can vaguely taste but it is distorted, such as toothpaste tasting like fish :-(
I hope it is not permanent. There must be many in same position