sense of smell

[gorbybelle]

has anyone experienced loss of sense of smell?

I did quite a lot for the first 18 months of this - just wondering if it is a common lyme thing?

[PMDER1]

If you smell something nasty in the abscence of source of odor, its called phantom smell, or dysomnia.

[steve4old_bridge]

My Lymes is now under control, however I'm not experiencing smelling some odors in my kitchen and when I breath. Its smells like a chemical or something. My wife and some friends don't smell anything. So I'm not sure if this is a result of a Lymes Disease symptom.

[JackieCalifornia]

I know what you mean.  I too have not been known for not speaking up and being firm.

I went to a new doctor yesterday (gastroenterologist) to evaluate why my gut got so irritated by the Lyme abx I was on and whether I can go back on them.  I had my thoughts in order, copies of latest blood tests, and an article about how Lyme encysts (to educate him if need be), and I was a disaster.  My mouth was dry, I was shaking and stuttering, and drawing TOTAL blanks when I tried to tell him what was up.  I was simply frightened that he wouldn't believe me and would get all high and mighty about long-term Lyme treatments, but he was very nice.  I was nevertheless totally useless the rest of the day; you'd think my dog died or something, I was so upset and rattled.  So even nice doctors leave a fragile Lyme psyche in shreds.  Better today, still a bit worn out.  

(Note to self:  this is how the elderly feel when they have to deal with health matters, so be kindly to them and take them to and fro and shop for them etc.)  Sigh.

[gorbybelle]

ha! I am not 'normally' a shrinking violet myself when it comes to 'professionals' - but my last G.P appointment went like - me trying to talk whilst in tears!!!  my G.P. [whilst typing on computer] basically telling me I am a hypochondriac!! - what a result!!

- when I walked into her room she said 'have you come for a smear' !!!!!???

have a good day - hugs back to you


[I sent this message twice it disappeared the first time, wonder where!!]

[JackieCalifornia]

Feel free to vent here.  The anxiety that comes with Lyme is made worse by the lack of being sure we will be taken seriously and taken care of properly.

I just got back from a kindly and sympathetic appointment with a new gastroenterologist about my irritated digestive system, and I was so wigged out I could hardly talk to him; my mouth was dry; I was drawing blanks on what I wanted to say; I was, in sum, a mess.  And I've never been that way before:  I have always been the coolheaded person cracking jokes in the middle of really bad sh*t flying around, and here a simple doctor's appointment leaves me limp.  The first thing I did when I got home was log on here for some solace and some borrowed courage.  :)

So vent, vent, vent.  It's a way to reduce the anxiety level.  Hugs to you ...

[gorbybelle]

yes, as I [untill very recently] have not had any sinus problems - that I was aware of -

I know lyme has a lot of varied symptoms but I find some of the more 'smaller issues' interesting - the sort of stuff that could be passed of as 'unimportant' - because people here have a lot of 'strange little things'  in-common as well as the soul destroying stuff.

my LLMD appointment is less than a week away - after 3 years +, I am feeling a bit apprehensive about it ! - just don't want the disappointment of  another - 'no dx'. - I guess.
Being in a part of  the U.K where lyme is very rare -[ or so it seems!]  - makes me question 'lyme' even more.  Hope the LLMD is not another 'phsycic' doctor!

I am going on a bit just need to think out loud!!!  

take care all

[JackieCalifornia]

Yep, couldn't smell a thing for quite a while.  Since treatment began, however, it's coming back.  It may be a brain thing, that the bugs make that part of the brain swell up and not function properly.