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Loss of smell & taste

Hi there
Can anyone advise me of some nice things to eat since losing my sense of taste & smell following a bang to the head.  I am just searching for any advice really as it's driving me mad and I am losing weight as food is just not the same anymore.  I know its only trivial in view of some peoples injuries on here, but any advice or tips on food would be welcome,
Thanks
Tracey
14 Responses
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Avatar universal
I see this is from two years ago I hope you still respond! I wonder how you are doing now I sure hope its good!!! Tomorrow the 8th will be a month for me and am pretty bummed too I still have hope and am greatful for all I do have.  But you know this is hard . I  do have the salt, sweet, bitter, and sour taste. I am doing my best to stay positive and these forums help a lot!!!  I would love to hear from you!
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Avatar universal
This might be interesting for some folks who may have experienced a traumatic brain injury...In honor of Mental Health Month, Posit Science is doing a 5-part mental health series to go more in-depth with a variety of conditions. First up: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Learn more about current research and treatments for TBI, and hear perspectives from folks with TBI.

Here's the link: http://www.positscience.com/lp/2010MHM-TBI/
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Avatar universal
I'm going to try to connect on Facebook, this site is a little hard to navigate.  I took a thai cooking class today, oh what fun.  It really was fun, and the students were great and helped explain tastes and smells.  I used to love to cook, all by smell, taste and intuition, I hardly every used a recipe.  Fruit is most rewarding for me to eat because of the texture and juicyness, I don't really get sweet salt bitter sour, it's all pretty much the same, and 0 smell at all.  Anyway, back to finding you, my email is
***@**** if facebook doesnt' work.  Healing thoughts to you!!Maggie
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Avatar universal
Hi Maggie
I didnt think you were on holiday yet but hope you are having a great time. I tried to find you on facebook but couldnt see it under Maggie Stern - perhaps you could add me instead - i am under tracey smith - Birmingham UK - be in touch soon this way - by the way nearly 5 weeks now and still the same too ! Take care and enjoy your holiday Tracey
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Avatar universal
Tracy are you out there???  I am in Thailand, almost a month since losing smell taste.  Still have zip.  NOTHING.  I take a Thai cooking class tomorrow, it's going to be like running blind.  I loved to cook...and eat...I know it could be worse.  Thank you so much for checking in, you are still the only person I've connected with who has this.  I am sorry about your dizziness, I do not suffer that, but still have tender head and can't bounce it around, excercise is out for now, only gentle walking.    I am on FACEBOOK. Maggie Stern, Haines Alaska, my picture has me in butterfly face paint.  If you facebook Iwould love to communicate that way.  Otherwise I will check this site periodically.  Good luck on CT, I am undecided about this test, cause it seems like they can't fix anything.  Have you ever used Zircam, the nasel spray?  Since doing research on my concussion I have seen people who have lost smell through chemical trauma.  I had used that spray in past and I know it affected my smell, though I could still smell.  I never put it together with the drug, thought it was from cold virus that my smell was affected.  I just miss smelling even more than taste, miss smelling flowers, green, my own BO, how do I tell if a shirt needs laundry now?  I know it could have been worse, but there is a loss here...  I will hope big time for your recovery and a healthy CT scan, take care also, protect the noodle, Maggie
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Avatar universal
Hi Maggie

Just wondered how you were getting on.....have you had any sign of it coming back yet.  I have had nothing and I am really fed up about it. It is like being in another world and you feel kinda isolated.  I did not have the ringing in the ears that you mentioned, but I am still getting the dizzy spells/feeling off balance.  I used to excercise quite a lot but havent even got the incentive to do that now, must be because we feel so down.  Still struggling to find things of interest to eat.  Not long till your holiday now so you should be positive and look forward to that - I am sure you will still have a good time....lets not let this spoil everything .....I will let you know how I get on at the neurologist although my appointment is still 3 weeks away I am hoping I will get some sign of recovery well before then as I cant stand this anymore !
Take care, Tracey
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Avatar universal
Hi Tracey,
    I am so glad you replied, I feel so cut off from everyone here.  I am really struggling with my attitude and people not getting this at all.  Everyone loves to tell me how bad their sense of taste and smell is.  I ask if they can smell gas, or diesel, or coffee, or stinky garbage.  I am frustrated and depressed but feel I have to put on the happy act or no one will be able to stand being around me.  Good luck on the neurologist, I haven't seen one and it doesn't seem like it can be fixed except by time.  
   I have constant ringing in my ears also, did you get this?  I don't have the dizzyness though.  So many of us have had blows to the back of the head.  Take care of yourself, Maggie  ( I wish I would at least lose a few pounds, I eat just out of frustration and lack of satisfaction and sensation)
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Avatar universal
Hi Maggie,
I am with you all the way..it would be nice to hear of some good recovery stories.  3 weeks in and things are still the same...I am off to see a neurologist on 16th Feb so hopefully they will be able to shed some light on my situation. My headaches have gone and I went back to work this week, still getting dizzy spells on and off though, and struggling with my food and appetite. I really hope we get our senses back soon, and hope you enjoy your holiday in Thailand.  Will keep you posted, but good luck to us all, Tracey
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Avatar universal
Trace, please post when you are getting better as no one posts positive stuff.  Our injurys are almost the same with the same 100% smell taste loss.  Mine was a few days after yours, Jan 5th, I still have nothing and am leaving for Thailand on vacation soon.  No Thai Food!!!!  Good Luck, Maggie
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Avatar universal
If you live in U.S. and can travel to Washington D.C. try this doctor.  Dr. Robert I. Henkin has experience over several years.  

http://www.tasteandsmell.com/

I know how depressing it is since I have something similar.  I also have Parosmia from Head Injury but haven't gone to the doc since I am currently dealing with other major issues.  I am planning to go there once I dealt with other stuff.
You are only in week two and so there is lot of hope.  It can resolve spontaneously for people in 3 months.  Again no one can predict.

Strangely with Parosmia people have some success with Neurontin and Lyrica I heard.



Good luck and keep posted if you can.
Helpful - 0
351246 tn?1379682132
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi!
The various tests carried out to detect the cause of loss o smell is CT scan of nasal sinuses, MRI of brain, allergy testing, and blood glucose levels. This is followed by quantitative smell test which helps identifies the degree of loss.
Hope this helps. Take care!

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Avatar universal
Hi
Thanks for your comments.
My doctor has now referred me to a neurologist - can you advise on what kind of tests they carry out
Tracey
Helpful - 0
351246 tn?1379682132
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
First of all try and find the cause for your loss of smell and tatse. It could be concussion, damage to nose, injury to olfactory (related to smell) nerves, olfactory bulb in the brain,or  frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain.
If it is due to concussion or due to damage to nose, then strong perfumes may still be detected. Try and see.
Highly seasoned food with spices, cloves, pepper, vinegar etc may help. Also sniffing a bag full of spices like cloves, cardamom, ginger, pepper etc while eating may help.
It is difficult to comment beyond this at this stage. Take care!
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Avatar universal
I have done the same damn thing as you, No taste or smell, this is week two.  I am feeling majorly sorry for myself, it is really sucky.  I am overeating just to try to get anything, I still think I am in shock and denial.  I've been eating lots of oranges, and tomato soup with tabasco and rice noodles for texture.  I can only pray these nerves are damaged forever for any of us.  Green smoothies.
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