My Life - as I knew it - Is Over.

[Kristine]

Wow that's horrible. Look into natural remedies, acupuncture, or anything to try to regain your normal senses. Alternative therapies may bring you the best long results.

[StBreton]

So sorry to hear you're going through this Carrie

 

A lack of smell would be bad enough ...for it it turn into everything smelling awful or off would be devastating. Hopefully someone at the ENT center can offer you some assistance.

 

Have you heard of the flip turn sinus flush?

Has a doc mentioned steroids to reduce any inflammation?

Your olfactory nerve receptor cells will regenerate somewhat but to what degree ...?

 

Hoping you get some relief and good news

 

I agree with posted above me ...and possibly ck with a naturopath

[CarrieT]

Have you heard of the flip turn sinus flush?

Doing it twice a day!

 

Has a doc mentioned steroids to reduce any inflammation?

I'm on some kick-butt steroids that are making me really loopy....

 

Hoping you get some relief and good news

Thanks. Had an MRI yesterday and am in a waiting game.

 

Thanks, everyone, for the kind thoughts and wishes.

[ufo8mycat]

Doing it twice a day!

 

 

I'm on some kick-butt steroids that are making me really loopy....

 

 

Thanks. Had an MRI yesterday and am in a waiting game.

 

Thanks, everyone, for the kind thoughts and wishes.

 

Can you please update us on what the MRI shows? Just curious - I am working in imaging projects at the mo.

 

But I am so sorry CarrieT, not because i don't think you will continue to live a full, wonderful and interesting life but loss IS grief. And you should grieve what you have lost.

 

I was hit by a car on my bike in July and while I can still smell, the things you take for granted kind of hit you. So I never take the "it could be worse" approach because, this is actually pretty bad and has huge impact.

 

A day a time, you don't have to win every day. We are here with you.

[CarrieT]

Can you please update us on what the MRI shows? Just curious - I am working in imaging projects at the mo.

No brain tumor. Some sinus issues.

 

But I am so sorry CarrieT, not because i don't think you will continue to live a full, wonderful and interesting life but loss IS grief. And you should grieve what you have lost.

Thanks. Saw a psychologist today and will be starting counseling....

 

I was hit by a car on my bike in July and while I can still smell, the things you take for granted kind of hit you. So I never take the "it could be worse" approach because, this is actually pretty bad and has huge impact.

 

A day a time, you don't have to win every day. We are here with you.

I am reading lots of articles and am hopeful it won't be a permanent affliction.

 

I truly appreciate everyone's well wishes.

[ASG]

Oh Carrie I am so sorry! This is truly a horrible thing.

 

Just like everyone else, I hope it goes away quickly. I can't imagine what life would be like if everything smelled and tasted like ****... Pretty devastating.

 

Keep us updated and I hope counselling helps with dealing with this.

[whichwayisup]

Just sending you more good thoughts and positive energy. Any update Carrie?

[CarrieT]

Things are better. I was put on a round of some really kick-ass steroids which have tamed the "world smells and tastes like sh*t" sensation. Now that the steroid treatment is over, the world has calmed down, which is much appreciated. Instead of an overwhelming, pervasive aroma of feces, the world - in general - doesn't smell at all. The acrid, fetid aromas occur mostly when I get close to a lot of people who are wearing products, but at least I can go into a grocery store without waves of nausea. Fresh fruit is still overwhelming.

 

Tastewise, some flavors are returning. Mostly garlic, eggs, fish, shrimp, roasted vegetables, cinnamon, and milk. A lot of foods that are processed - breads, bacon - just taste sort of moldy and acrid. I am getting the ashtray flavors that apparently come with the disorder. I can eat a good hamburger if I don't mind the somewhat pasty, moldy taste to the bun.

 

But two weeks ago, I was quite despondent and now I'm learning what I can eat that tastes GOOD! Deviled eggs, an avocado with salt, roasted cauliflower, braised greens, cinnamon Altoids... Not sure if I will ever taste anything nuanced or delicate again, but I am cautiously optimistic. And I am really, REALLY missing coffee.

 

Thank you all for your continued support and good wishes!

[whichwayisup]

That's such good news!! You're on the mend and give it a few more months you'll be back to eating anything and everything without it smelling or tasting bad. What an awful experience to have to go through.

[ASG]

That is awesome news Carrie!!! Hopefully things will continue to improve! And at the very least you will be able to enjoy SOME foods.

I'm really happy that things are improving!

[anna121]

I was very sorry to read this. I hope that the relatively rapid changes you are now experiencing is a good sign.

[TaraMaiden2]

I don't know how I didn't see this before CarrieT, and I just want to add my very best wishes and fervent and sincere desire for you to fully recover soon.

 

I know it's a completely different thing, but I have chronic, incurable tinnitus and it invades, pervades and impinges on every aspect of my day.

 

I can only imagine though, how truly dreadful each day must be for you.

I hope it goes soon.

 

Much Metta and Karuna to you, always.

All my love.

XX TM

[ScienceGal]

So sorry, Carrie. I hope it does go away, and sooner rather than later.

 

Sending lots of good thoughts and positive vibes your way.

[Robert Z]

Carrie, I was shocked and saddened to see this thread. I know how much you love great foods. I'm glad things are improving a bit.

 

 

cinnamon Altoids...

 

Haha, you could eat like a queen at my place. I've got a case of 'em.

[Popsicle]

Oh Gosh, I'm so sorry to hear this, CarrieT.

[CarrieT]

Haha, you could eat like a queen at my place. I've got a case of 'em.

I always knew you were a man of good taste, Robert!

[edgygirl]

Welcome to this unfortunate club. I hit my head back in 2012 after fainting. So initially I lost my sense of smell/taste because of a small head injury. It can also happen because of viral infections or colds. Basically it can happen to anyone.

 

I went through the bad smells phase as you describe below but usually things evolve. I suggest you join the few facebook groups, it will give you tons of ideas/insight. This is the best one and has both anosmics (congenital and acquired) and parosmics:

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2205062645/

 

This one is a smaller one but nice as well:

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/parosmia.phantosmia/

 

I will say though I've been slowly recovering a lot of my smell and therefore, taste. There are a few things that don't smell like before, but a lot do. In TBI (traumatic brain injury) cases, there's hope sometimes that the neurons kind of reconnect themselves. That's what happened in my case. Another suggestion is to take Alpha Lipoid Acid, I did it for a few months and who knows, that might have helped. A few say there's even more chances of recovery for viral parosmics.

 

The problem is this is not life threatening, and it's "invisible" for most people, so it's not really researched as much

 

I have been diagnosed Parosmia. "An olfactory dysfunction that is characterized by the inability of the brain to properly identify an odor’s 'natural' smell." In short, fruit, wine, coffee, most food, personal health care products, cleaning products, and soaps smell like ****. And I am a professional food-and-wine writer. I went to cooking school. My 25-year career as a freelance writer and artist was all based on a love and knowledge of gastronomy.

 

Walking through a grocery store makes me nauseous. Opening a bottle of wine makes me cry because it smells so bad. I shower as quickly as I can (now with nose plugs) because it smells to me like I am washing my body with feces, even though I know it is clean soap. It all happened because of an upper respiratory event I had in early July that became exacerbated and lingered well into late August.

 

My sense of smell and taste are mostly shot and a lot of what I eat now is consumed nutrients but being near food and wine is akin to being inside a Porta Potty... Actually, most of the world right now just smells plain awful. I had to leave the Hamlet premier at intermission because the rank aroma of all around me was too overwhelming. So you can see why this is life-impacting for someone who lives/lived to eat and drink. I feel like a musician who is going deaf or a painter who is losing his sight. There is some sensation, but mostly diminished and generally unpleasant. Strong salt and sweet flavors seem to be okay. With dim sum, I am mostly tasting the soy sauce, for example - the rest is muddy, muted, and sort of rotten. I had a doughnut the other day was glorious.

Most papers on the subject says it can slowly goes away; possibly after a few weeks, a few months, or a few years. For some, but not for all. No one seems to know anything definitive. I'm reading a lot on the subject, always looking for products that don't trigger (Dove white soap bars are okay - their liquid soap is "crap"). I'm seeing doctors, and am going through rounds of CT scans, MRIs, steroids, and other treatments. It is a waiting game.

 

Right now, I am navigating a new life without the joy of food. It is a day-to-day experiment of what I can eat that I can get down with little or no flavor versus avoiding foods that "trigger." I'm also learning how hard it is to cook without being able to smell or being able to season properly. I burned my husband's bacon yesterday because I couldn't smell it burning. I've ordered Grant Achatz's book to gain inspiration and will learn to find joy in other things; art, music, theater, literature...

 

And I have a great, supporting husband. Even as a brilliant doctor, he wasn't sure what I had before doing some considerable research. It is rare and isn't something for which there is a quick fix.

[CarrieT]

Thank you so much, EdgyGirl! And my condolences to you as well but am encouraged that you got better.

 

I have been taking the Alpha Lipoid Acid as well as doing the daily nasal washes. I am getting more and more tastes back - or, at least, things now just taste moldy versus tastes like feces - but less-so on smells.

 

I'm in Vegas with my husband for a five-day conference and wished I had stayed home. Too many people with too many smells and food that mostly just tastes icky has been a bit depressing, but at least our room doesn't smell, has a view, and I *do* have a book I need to spend time editing...

 

Thanks so much!

[NewLeaf512]

I have been diagnosed Parosmia. "An olfactory dysfunction that is characterized by the inability of the brain to properly identify an odor’s 'natural' smell." In short, fruit, wine, coffee, most food, personal health care products, cleaning products, and soaps smell like ****. And I am a professional food-and-wine writer. I went to cooking school. My 25-year career as a freelance writer and artist was all based on a love and knowledge of gastronomy.

 

Walking through a grocery store makes me nauseous. Opening a bottle of wine makes me cry because it smells so bad. I shower as quickly as I can (now with nose plugs) because it smells to me like I am washing my body with feces, even though I know it is clean soap. It all happened because of an upper respiratory event I had in early July that became exacerbated and lingered well into late August.

 

My sense of smell and taste are mostly shot and a lot of what I eat now is consumed nutrients but being near food and wine is akin to being inside a Porta Potty... Actually, most of the world right now just smells plain awful. I had to leave the Hamlet premier at intermission because the rank aroma of all around me was too overwhelming. So you can see why this is life-impacting for someone who lives/lived to eat and drink. I feel like a musician who is going deaf or a painter who is losing his sight. There is some sensation, but mostly diminished and generally unpleasant. Strong salt and sweet flavors seem to be okay. With dim sum, I am mostly tasting the soy sauce, for example - the rest is muddy, muted, and sort of rotten. I had a doughnut the other day was glorious.

Most papers on the subject says it can slowly goes away; possibly after a few weeks, a few months, or a few years. For some, but not for all. No one seems to know anything definitive. I'm reading a lot on the subject, always looking for products that don't trigger (Dove white soap bars are okay - their liquid soap is "crap"). I'm seeing doctors, and am going through rounds of CT scans, MRIs, steroids, and other treatments. It is a waiting game.

 

Right now, I am navigating a new life without the joy of food. It is a day-to-day experiment of what I can eat that I can get down with little or no flavor versus avoiding foods that "trigger." I'm also learning how hard it is to cook without being able to smell or being able to season properly. I burned my husband's bacon yesterday because I couldn't smell it burning. I've ordered Grant Achatz's book to gain inspiration and will learn to find joy in other things; art, music, theater, literature...

 

And I have a great, supporting husband. Even as a brilliant doctor, he wasn't sure what I had before doing some considerable research. It is rare and isn't something for which there is a quick fix.

 

That's awful. Someone I know went through radiotherapy of the head and every thing tasted of salt water for about a year. It drove them bonkers.

 

What has been recommended? I'm really sorry

[edgygirl]

Thank you, Carrie. It sucks, doesn't it? And most people can't grasp it. Actually most people forget we have this condition going on and say hurtful things, ("oh doesn't this taste amazing?") even close friends and family!

 

From the sounds of it I have a feeling your smell is improving and will get better. If it's constantly changing like mine did in the first few months, I see it as a good sign and the path to eventual partial or total recovery.

 

The first thing I could smell again were Lady Speed Stick deodorant and that Morrocan hair oil... Keep something with a strong smell nearby and keep trying to smell it... I am sure one day you will!

 

Also wanted to point out that the grocery store thing almost brought me to tears in the beginning, I thought OMG am I always going to feel this overwhelming disgusting smell whenever I come in to get something? NO. It's gone... I don't feel anything like that anymore. Hang in there! (((Hug)))

 

I am here whenever you need, feel free to reach out and scourge the fb groups, for this condition patients have much better info than the doctors!

 

Thank you so much, EdgyGirl! And my condolences to you as well but am encouraged that you got better.

 

I have been taking the Alpha Lipoid Acid as well as doing the daily nasal washes. I am getting more and more tastes back - or, at least, things now just taste moldy versus tastes like feces - but less-so on smells.

 

I'm in Vegas with my husband for a five-day conference and wished I had stayed home. Too many people with too many smells and food that mostly just tastes icky has been a bit depressing, but at least our room doesn't smell, has a view, and I *do* have a book I need to spend time editing...

 

Thanks so much!

[loveweary11]

Wow...as a fellow lover of food/taste I cannot even imagine... or maybe I can.

 

I took "molly" once in my life. A couple sumners ago. It was bad stuff. Gave everyone massive anxiety.

 

Me? It erased my sense of taste for 3 days. I won't lie... suicide did cross my mind. That's how important it is to me. Thankfully, it came back.

 

So... I can feel your pain and am so, SO glad to hear yours is on its way back.

 

Few can understand those of us that hold flavor in such high regard. I hope your suffering ends soon and full taste is restored.

[edgygirl]

Yes loveweary11 but at the same time as a doctor once told me "We get used to everything in life".

 

People live without sight, without a limb, without a loved one. Human beings are resilient and we just adapt. It's okay. It just becomes part of a new reality, that's all.

[edgygirl]

Btw Carrie you might like reading this story, this woman was a fragrance and beauty writer, so you might somewhat relate:

 

Experience: everything smells like sewage to me | Life and style | The Guardian

[CarrieT]

Btw Carrie you might like reading this story, this woman was a fragrance and beauty writer, so you might somewhat relate:

 

Experience: everything smells like sewage to me | Life and style | The Guardian

 

Her story was one of the first I came upon when it all happened. I appreciate the Facebook group; have learned a lot from them already!

[MuddyFootprints]

I have been thinking about you. I get it.

 

My daughter brought me back to this thread because she has just gone through a viral infection and mentioned that everything she cooks smells like manure.

 

Thank you for keeping us updated.