Posted by:  chris08(Guest)  Posted on: 04/13/2012

Hi. I'm a 21 year-old male. I suffered from flu-like disease a week ago. I never sought a doctor since the fever and lethargy subsided after 2 days of rest, increased fluid intake, vitamins, and self-medication of over-the-counter fever and colds drugs. So, after like 4 days, my fever was totally gone, my activity tolerance went back to normal, but my colds is still present. So I continued to take medicine for it. After a week, my colds is still present but not that severe. But, I have this loss of sense of taste and smell. At first, I thought it was just brought about by the colds, but this time, I have this phantom smell, and I can't explain it, like it's in between the smell of a freshly-cut lumber and a canned biscuits. I really am worried, since I lost my appetite, and I can't detect whether a food is already spoiled or our help already sprayed insecticide. Please help me. I'm a registered but unemployed nurse. I can comprehend complex medical terms. Please, help me. It really affects my daily activities.

Posted by:  SoloKid(Guest)  Posted on: 02/24/2012

During a 4-week hospitalisation [loss of a kidney due to cancer] 5 years ago, I had an abdominal drain in place (via the nose) for 2 weeks plus. After this I was aware of a constant antiseptic smell and when this faded after 6 months, virtually no sense of smell at all. I also have constant stuffy nose. I do pick up occasional scents if they are very strong and sometimes detect things which don't smell right (eg. coffee doesn't smell like coffee). My GP points to nasal tract infection and says they are virtually impossible to eradicate (I only have 30% of one kidney and some medications are a no-no). Now starting to suffer loss of hearing - which might be linked via sinuses? Any advice or help would be really welcome.

Posted by:  Traci(Guest)  Posted on: 01/09/2012

Lost my sense of smell a year ago. Went from NO smell to horrible phantom smells. 3 different physicians said there was nothing that could be done. Went to an herbalist and a chiropractor. Having great success! No longer having phantom smells [sticky sweet peach, acetone, cat urine, and soggy burnt popcorn]. Can identify some smells now and most foods are starting to taste normal. For me, I am having success with the following supplements (Zinc, Adreno-lymph, Total Thyroid, B-12, Vitamin E, Blood Build, Coral Calcium, Ultimate Green Zone, and Proactazyme). Dr. J.D. Stanfield, Chiropractor in McPherson, Kansas did a lot of research to find supplements to support nerve growth and mucous lining. He also researched some special facial techniques that have been making a difference for me. I am thrilled to be tasting food again and actually smelling things like flowers, cilantro, cinnamon, and more.

Posted by:  SusieQ(Guest)  Posted on: 01/05/2012

I lost my sense of smell and taste about 7 years ago. It was very gradual and I realised something was wrong when i opened up a bottle of perfume. Eventually I did see Dr. Richard Doty at the University of Pennsylvania who confirmed that I had lost both senses. I had had an MRI and CAT Scan also. Dr. Doty came to the conclusion that my many sinus infections treated with anti-biotics, a bad case of the flue and pneumonia the following year - the latter treated with more anti-biotics were the probable causes. I have recetnly begun to read more on the condition and have seen the support groups. I agree, it is very debilitating. I lost interest in so many things and although people seem supportive, they really have no idea of the effect it has on one's life. I hate to complain about it as things could be much worse, but the longer it goes on, the worse I feel about it.

Posted by:  chaitanyalaxmi(Guest)  Posted on: 08/27/2011

can prolonged inhalation of paints cause anosmia

Posted by:  salley(Guest)  Posted on: 06/29/2011

I am doing a case study on loss of smell if anyone would be willing to share there story with me please contact me at salley@student@sierra.edu. Thank you!

Posted by:  SweetC(Guest)  Posted on: 06/27/2011

Im a healthy 40 year old female who is recovering from what I would describe as a prolonged cold [approx. 3 weeks]. Approximately 10 days ago, I noticed I was unable to smell, but didn't think much of it because I was still really congested. I used vicks vapor rub and otrivin for relief. I used the otrivin once per day for about 4 days. I was able to breathe better but still could not smell a thing. Went to doctor and was prescribed steroid nose spray (avamys) which I've been taking for almost a week. Brief whiffs of scent but that's it. No history of sinusitis/allergies. Very concerned as there appears to be no justification for the loss. Nose still runny and I continue to have a cough, but I am generally able to breathe and was hoping to be able to smell more by now.

Posted by:  Majka  Posted on: 04/19/2011

I read that loss of olfaction may lead to the loss of libido.. Do you have this problem? Or is it just my case?

Posted by:  youbet(Guest)  Posted on: 01/25/2011

I am 54 and got shingles when I was 50 and in the last year just realized I can't smell. The shingles was on half of my head and face [effected my eye a little]. Would this have something to do with my smelling ability. Is there a test that can be done?

Posted by:  Layshie  Posted on: 01/18/2011

Hey All, From since i can remember i could never smell and i always had problems sleeping i was never refreshed or actually felt like i had a good nights sleep, at the age of 21 i started to have seizures and they found a mass in my right frontal lobe which happened to be a brain tumor. i had the tumor removed in August last year and now i can smell and i seem to be getting sleep and actually not feeling tired constantly. i think it is the best thing ever that we found the tumour because i just had enough of not being able to sleep and not feeling good :] im 22 and feeling great now :)