Loading...

Skip Navigation LinksHome > Support Groups > Discussion Messages
Brain and nervous system :
Anosmia / Loss Of Smell

Anosmia, or the loss of the sense of smell, might happen as a result of injury, infection, or genetics. It is more dangerous than people generally imagine – an anosmic person might not be able to smell gas leaks, for example, or bad food.

Join this online anosmia support group to share notes with professionals and patients dealing with anosmia.

 

Join this Group


 











Loading...

Discussions
Add a topic Recent discussions
Start watching this topic
Anosmia / Loss Of Smell

Anosmia is the absence or impairment of the sense of smell. 7% of the people in India suffer from impaired sense of smell. It can be partial or complete....Read More

Posted on : Saturday, November 29, 2008 12:00 AM
Add reply       No of replies : 158

Report Abuse

You can help us in removing abusive content or spam.
Your Name
Your Email ID
Subject
Message
(Maximum 3000 Characters)
  
 

HannahF4992
(Guest)
I don't know if i was born without a sense of smell, but, I cannot remember ever smelling anything. I can taste fine, but I can't smell anything at all.Everyone else in my family can smell. I'm 17, and I'd like to smell something before I live on my own. I'm afraid of living alone and my house catching on fire and me not being able to smell it. So, if anyone figure out something that works, please let me know.
Replied on Sunday, September 6, 2009 12:00 AM

Guest
I have been without a sense of smell since a head injury in 1992, and have lived on my own most of that time since the accident. I have smoke alarms in every room and make sure they have fresh batteries.
Replied on Sunday, November 15, 2009 12:00 AM
It wasn't until I was in my late teens that I figured out that, since I had never smelled anything before in my life, it probably meant I never would - sounds like you may be coming to the same realization? Anyways, I'm 27 now and I am alone quite often at home since my husband leaves for work for weeks' at a time. I am always worried about not smelling smoke, gas, rotten food, or whatever when I'm alone, but this is how I deal with it: for smoke and fire, I have dog that sleeps in my bed. For gas, well, I try to be very careful when I'm lighting the stove and I have a detector (although I doubt it would detect it on time). to prevent eating rotten food, I keep only a very small number of items that are perishable for me to eat that week, and no matter what, after three days, I throw them out. No matter what. Also, I never let food sit at room temp for any reason, I thoroughly cook my food (10 min boiling time for soups for example,) and I refrigerate the rest right away.
I hope this helps.
Replied on Monday, January 24, 2011 1:03 PM
Reno from Melbourne, Australia. I have been on anti-depressants Zoloft & Prothiaden as well as on the tranquillizer Xanax for over 10 years. Over the years I have reduced dosages to a small maintenance dose which i will need for the rest of my life. I am 62. For over two years i have been unable to smell or taste anything. An x-ray of my sinuses indicated they are clear. Is anyone who has been taking these medications experienced loss of smell / taste? My GP thinks Prothiaden may be causing the problem but my psychiatrist disagrees. I am confused and frustrated. Any ideas?
Replied on Friday, October 2, 2009 12:00 AM

Iammichal
(Guest)
Lost my sense of smell five weeks ago after a head injury. Can taste the basic things like sweet, sour, bitter, salty. Can get hints of flavors but I am very sad about not being able to smell lilacs in the spring or taste raspberries. Went to neurologist, general practitioner, ENT and no one had any thing positive to say. "Maybe over time" some thing will come back, "no current treatments", "no magic pill", basically nothing can be done. Never take smell and taste for granted, it is a big part of life.
Replied on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 12:00 AM

Guest
I lost my sense of smell a few years ago when a semi ran a red light and hit my car. Also there are alot of things I can't taste well or at all.I miss garlic!! It stinks but what can I do? I get bummed out especially around the holidays with the food and smells I miss. I miss the smell of fall leaves, fresh cut grass,and coffee, and my favorite perfumes.
Replied on Monday, November 2, 2009 12:00 AM

Guest
Yes, with Thanksgiving coming up I know it will be strange not to smell the turkey cooking. Garlic is one of the few things I get just a hint of taste of. Only about a half dozen things I can get a hint of flavor. Very discouraging.
Replied on Monday, November 2, 2009 12:00 AM

joelinsandiego
(Guest)
I am 31 years old and also can not smell but seem to be able to taste. I had a tramatic brain injury when I was 18 and have not been able to smell since. I try not to think about it to much but it seems to happen daily that someone asks me to "smell this". It really hard to stay posotive but the one thing that makes it easier for me is the alternative was death. I am lucky to be alive and for that I am thankful but there are days where I wish I could smell rain, or the outdoors. I hope someday there is a cure for this cause I would love the live the rest of my life with the gift of smell. Hangin there anyone suffering from this cause it seems to get easier after time but I totally understand your concerns and pain. No one else can really understand how hard it is so really its a sickness I deal with on my own but its nice to know Im not a freak and there are others like me.
Replied on Thursday, October 22, 2009 12:00 AM

Guest
Hello,
I have to say your message is exactly how I feel. All of a sudden my smell was gone just like that...I also wish there was a cure for this..it seems as though there should be. It almost feels like your living in a bubble. Sad....
Keep your fingers crossed that some day there will be help for us.
Take care,
Shelley
Replied on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 12:00 AM

Guest
My son Mason 21 had a tramatic brain injury also 09-26-2008 he has lost all sense of smell and taste he still has dizziness and headaches..today we were talking after seeing the Neurologist that says the loss of sense of smell will most likely be for life..that losing the sense of smell is all of his sadness and noone understands how he feels..he wish he never told anyone now they ask him questions and question his loss all the time, he gets depressed at times and the attornies and doctors just brush it aside..they have know idea of the sense of loss!! He too is thankful to be alive! maybe he can have someone to talk to that understands...
Replied on Friday, January 8, 2010 12:00 AM

Cris555
(Guest)
I'm 67 and have had anosmia all my life, so therefore it is nothing new to me. It actually has helped me in my profession, as a nurse I could go into any patient's room no matter how odoriferous it was and it would not bother me. I also could attend autopsies with no "smelling" difficulties. As for eating, I go for texture, like crunchy things. I have discovered I like hot things. I can detect anything that is burning (a good thing) and skunk smells like coffee (when first open can get a slight whiff) to me so its possible I have hyposmia instead of full fledged anosmia. It is somewhat of a joke with the people I've worked with, when they say smell this or do you smell this and I just shake my head, then they acknowledge my inability (not disability) to smell. I'm considering this topic as my Phd research topic, so will continue to monitor for info.
Replied on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 12:00 AM

Guest
I have had a series of infections;[Colds,etc],over the last three years, culminating in an Asthmatic condition plus Perennial Rhinitis. These symptoms have resulted in a loss of sense of smell and the only relief I get is when I develop acute congestion,(Sinuses and Chest), the Doc prescribes Prednisolone Corticosteroid tablets, and, as a result, I get my S.O.S back for a couple of weeks ad then it disappears again?
Replied on Thursday, October 29, 2009 12:00 AM

Guest
nasal flushing where you use a warm solution of salt and bicarbonate of soda, is very good for reducing rhinitis and it prevents infecions too, studies done in the uk have shown it to be as good or better in eliminating sinusitis as antibiotics, and it worked fantastic in me
Replied on Sunday, November 22, 2009 12:00 AM

Guest
I am 49 and have had anosmia for most of my adult life. Probably due to fx of skull when I was a child and second concussion when I was 25. ENT couldn't see anything structually wrong but told me the little hairs in nose were more than likely torn partially with first head injury and entirely with second. Had CAT scan and treated with steriod spray and zinc with no improvement. Also gave acupuncture a try. I also was a nurse, haven't practiced in 16 years, license lapsed with not enough hours. You are lucky you can still detect some smells, you might give acupuncture a try. I just wish something with stem cells would be available. I feel like I'm missing out on a big part of life.
Replied on Sunday, January 3, 2010 12:00 AM

Guest
Like you, when I smell coffee it's almost the same as the skunk smell. When I tell peo. that they think I'm nuts. I had a bad cold last march, took too much nasal inhaler, and since I haven't been able to smell correctly. Since you have the same smell "shift" as I it appears we have the same degree of damage. For several months I couldn't smell anything but part of the ability has come back too me. However, much of the smell spectrum is distorted for me now. I just started taking a steroid treatment along with zinc and ginko. I hope this makes some difference. Also, it's odd that i can smell very little putrication, i.e. poop, dead animals, etc. It might be good for us to correspond, epecially if you wish to use this topic for your PhD. I am 63 yrs old.
Replied on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 12:00 AM

Guest
I have exactly the same problem as to coffee and bad smells. I am 61. I am curious if zinc steroid will work in your case.
Replied on Thursday, April 1, 2010 12:00 AM
 




Member Sign In

Remember me
Forgot Password?
Sign up now


Medwonders has 255798 Members and 444 Groups.
Last Updated - Mar 28, 2024 - Designed & Content Managed by Medindia4u.com Pvt. Ltd.
Copyright © 2024 Medindia4u.com Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved.