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Original poster

I can't even smell TCP!

101 replies

middleager · 24/09/2021 21:05

Or perfume...

If there was any petrol left round here I'd ask DH to wave a can of it under my nose just to triple check.

I can taste a bit, but smell...nothing!

It's freaking me out.

I tested positive on Tuesday.

What is everybody else's experiences?

Is it preferable to losing your sense of taste? How do those of you who've lost both get on?

OP posts:
AlanisMorningShed · 24/09/2021 22:47

I completely lost smell as well. Was cleaning my bathroom and got the bleach out, couldn't smell a thing.
It felt a bit unsettling having absolutely nothing!

Same with taste, that was just a bit boring as I was looking forward to bordom cooking and eating in self isolation. Didn't bother

Not sure my smell is completely recovered after 2 mths, it's definitely there mildly.
I was double vaxxed too.

maisiedaisy64 · 24/09/2021 22:53

I lost both for a week, and it was one of the weirdest parts of the whole thing! And then my taste came back really rapidly...we had dinner, couldn’t taste it, and two hours later, nibbled on some left overs, and could taste!!

outnumbered77 · 24/09/2021 23:06

I tested positive 2.5 weeks ago and still can't smell anything. Tried smelling my perfume earlier and accidentally sprayed it right up my nose! Not pleasant but no smell! Taste is back a bit though.

FinallyGotAnIPhone · 24/09/2021 23:09

I am on day 8 and lost all taste and smell on day 5. Hate it :(

VioletBick · 24/09/2021 23:11

Same here. Tested positive Tuesday, lost taste and smell that evening. Hoping they return soon as it’s so unsettling.

Original poster
middleager · 24/09/2021 23:15

Coffee tastes weird, so I can't even enjoy that now I'm feeling a little better.

maisie you give me hope!

OP posts:
Thegreymethod · 24/09/2021 23:16

I lost both, it was awful! I felt very unwell with it but the loss of taste and smell was the worst bit, lasted around a month and came back very slowly, the first time I got a tiny taste of something I felt really emotional because I'd started to think it would never happen!

ShaneTheThird · 24/09/2021 23:24

I lost my smell and taste around day 4. Couldn't smell or taste anything at all it was completely gone. I'm starting to get a whiff very faintly of some things now 2 weeks on.

ShaneTheThird · 24/09/2021 23:25

@Thegreymethod

I lost both, it was awful! I felt very unwell with it but the loss of taste and smell was the worst bit, lasted around a month and came back very slowly, the first time I got a tiny taste of something I felt really emotional because I'd started to think it would never happen!
Bless you I know how you feel! 2 days ago when I first got a faint sniff of orange I squealed and ran around the flat wooping with excitement Grin
nancy75 · 24/09/2021 23:26

Also lost both for about 3 maybe 4 weeks.
Taste was totally gone (my darling family had me testing things to see if I could taste them, I couldn’t tell the difference between a spoon of English Mustard, a spoon of Mayo & a spoon of toothpaste)
When the smell came back I kept smelling burning, had about 2 weeks of very little sleep because I kept getting up thinking something was on fire in the house.
I was quick anxious/panicky at one point that it would never come back

CleopatrasBeautifulNose · 24/09/2021 23:35

This is the thing I dread the most if when I catch it (partly cos I think it is more likely than actually dying and not everyone gets it back). I don't want to not be able to smell my dh or dc, inhaling them when hugging gives me a profound sense of contentment. I know when my kids are poorly by their smell, I cook with my sense of smell, it's just so vital to me every day.
Hope you get yours back soon op and pp who are also deprived of it currently

Original poster
middleager · 24/09/2021 23:39

Glad that it's returned for most of you.

I can see how easy it is to think it might not return.

I won't be booking a wine tasting or buying any scented candles soon.

OP posts:
Original poster
middleager · 25/09/2021 01:50

On a plus, I just had such a long coughing fit that I threw up.
Couldn't taste a thing... Shock

OP posts:
DPotter · 25/09/2021 02:05

I lost both taste and smell last March, ie 18 months ago. Smell is a lot better but taste is still not fully back.

Silkiescatz · 25/09/2021 03:01

I became ill with covid Mon 13th, still very ill with it (double vacc'd with AZ) and lost all taste and smell maybe a week ago and it is starting to come back. Though when I blow my nose I get a weird smell like burned rubber. I couldn't smell bleach when I was bad but now I can smell lemon a little, taste couldn't taste even Indian food, then started being able to taste a bit of sour things like lemon and mango, salt and spice and now getting if I blow my nose a lot I can taste things a little. I am hopeful it will come back more soon. Still feeling awful, oximeter gets to 94 if lie down so everytime I sleep I wake up, everything spins / dizzy for hours then I am sick / upset stomach and sweaty. Though the sweaty could be peri-menopause. I can't tolerate anything dairy.

Monsteraobliqua · 25/09/2021 05:52

Tested positive 11 months ago, first symptom was not smelling garlic. It's not come back properly at all. I can taste sweet, sour, salty, bitter, umami, and can smell when there is a smell but its usually a greasy, smoky scent, not the real thing. Food often tastes overpoweringly sweet
Onion, garlic, green veg taste awful but I keep forcing them down trying to get used to them again! I've done the course of steroids, tried smell testing. Still hoping it comes back. Occasionally I get a tiny hint of a real smell but it's very fleeting.

itsgettingwierd · 25/09/2021 05:56

It's the mint sauce that got me!

Not only couldn't I smell it but it also didn't even make my mouth water.

It's so hard to explain to people!

HopingForABetterYear · 25/09/2021 08:30

9 months on and can only smell a rancid perfume smell on some things. Other things nothing. Fed up.

Original poster
middleager · 25/09/2021 12:04

Hoping no wonder you're fed up, that is such a long time.

it'sgetting it is hard to explain to others. Something we take for granted.

I've been sweating lots too and am showering as usual, but it got me thinking about personal hygiene and how paranoid I'll be at work mixing, probably showering more!

OP posts:
Ekofisk · 25/09/2021 12:09

My taste and smell went suddenly on Day 7, I’m feeling lucky that it’s steadily coming back now (I’m on Day 12).

Original poster
middleager · 25/09/2021 15:03

Oh good news, Eko hope I mirror this.

OP posts:
Faircastle · 25/09/2021 17:19

I tested positive on Wednesday.
(Fully vaccinated)
I've had cold symptoms, bad headache and body aches since Tuesday night, bit of a cough since yesterday.

Then this afternoon I suddenly became aware of the saliva in my mouth, and then discovered that I can't smell or taste anything properly (I was able to at lunchtime).

Such a weird virus.

Mykittensmittens · 25/09/2021 17:51

My DD (13) is day six and lost her smell day 4. She says she can taste but has very little appetite.

I can totally sympathise as I lost my smell for a while after a very very bad sinus infection 5 years ago. I could sniff bleach or whisky and not smell a thing. It’s not a nice thing to experience.

SumAndSubstance · 25/09/2021 18:05

I lost my smell and taste completely on day 3. Day 5 now and it’s driving me insane!

TheGriffle · 25/09/2021 18:17

I tested positive on Monday and my taste and smell slowly went on Wednesday or Thursday, could taste the chicken at tea time but by evening it had all gone.

I can tell if something is sweet/salty but it tastes of nothing and I can’t smell a thing. At least I’ll loose some weight I guess as not a lot of food is appetising when you can’t smell it taste it. It’s really odd and disorientating not having those senses.

I’m really paranoid about it not coming back now as I’m conscious of my clothes/breathe smelling bad and I won’t know.