Everything smells and tastes like chemicals!

[Ninster]

I am a woman in my early 40s, and I have been suffering from a rare disease/infection, which is hard to describe. One year ago I lost my sense of smell and taste after a bad cold or flu.I can smell and taste things, but everything smells and taste like chemicals. I have ... [More] tried several doctors and dentits, but none of them can help me find a cure or any medicine which helps. If any one has the same symptoms or any information, please be kind and contact me ! Thanks!


This discussion is related to Everything tastes and smells chemical like.

[trudeeq26]

I am a 24 year old female and I have been dealing with a similar issue for about a year and a half. Certain foods or products seem to trip this for me and then this gross smell will just linger in my nose for however long it decides to stay there. It is a slightly chemical smell...very strange and affects the taste of my food and has diminished the quality of my life. I too was given prednisone and nasal spray by an ENT and they did nothing. The only thing I have found to be helpful is sinus/nasal irrigation, I would recommend you try it!

-Erika

[davelloyd1]

I fear something terrible will happen now.. I fear the worst... I know why this happened I think.. I fear something terrible is about to happen and I am too frozen to move.

[tlj429]

I am also in my 40's and have the same problem as you. I started with a head cold in early May. I finally went to the ENT doctor in Early Aug. (this month). He put me on prednisone, for six days,  and a cortisone nose spray. I was afraid to do the prednisone so I started with the nose spray. It did not help actually made the smell more chemical. So then I decided to do the prednisone which helped to flare up a different condition I have. My regular dr. told me to stop taking it immediately. (My husband is actually a physician as well and was in agreement). I was almost done with the prednisone anyway. It did not help my nose either.  I am currently taking Amoxicillin and Flagyl for the condition the prednisone helped flare up on me. These antibiotics don't seem to be having any effect on the nose either. I was supposed to go back to the ENT this week but was to sick from the other condition to go. I will reschedule. His recommendation next will be to have CT scan. Probably to rule out a tumor.  
  At my original appt. with the ENT, he told me he was sure, (before looking in my nose/sinuses), that I had polyps and/or infection. I had neither.
  Most things I cannot smell at all. However any change my surrounding area triggers this chemical smell. Like if someone walks by with perfume, the whole shower routine, shampoo, conditioners, soaps, toothpaste, the air conditioner kicking on, enter another building etc.. My sense of taste is also effected. Cola tastes especially bad. However, taste is not near as effected as my sense of smell. Too bad, I'd love to loose a few pounds!
Just wanted to let you know your not alone...there is some comfort in that. I also wanted to let you know what treatments I have tried that did not work. I know this post is quite awhile since yours. I do hope you are better.
Take Care,
TJ

[TriadBarb]

Is anyone here looking for answers ever been diagnosed with Samters Triad?

[vfoxfire]

Your account is exactly like what I am currently experiencing. I am interested to know if you found anything that worked to correct this. I am going crazy from this, nothing smells or tastes good. I am searching for answers anywhere I can find them.