Head trauma causes loss of smell/taste

Hello,
I'm 17 years of age and recently (2 months ago) had an accident that has resulted in the loss of my sense of smell and taste. I was at a lake, swinging on a rope into the water but lost my grip and wnet head first down a cliff of rocks and roots. I landed in the water but had hit the back of my head (near the crown, at the top) splitting my head open and fracturing my skull (3-4 inches). The neurologists told me I had a severe concussion as well as contusions (bruising) near the front of my brain where I damaged the nerve endings. I also have a herniated disc located in my lower back which has pinched my sciatic nerve running to my left leg.

Since the fall I have experienced several changes. The main concern I have months later is my senses. I understand the brain is complex but I feel as though I haven't recieved satisfying answers from my doctors. My doctor gave me a 3-4 month time frame to see improvements with my senses. He said I could get my taste back slightly, fully or not at all, same goes for my smell. I could get both back, one or none. To date, I have not experienced improvement with taste but recently I have been noticing (for about 2 days now) my nose is sensitive and feels as though it's tingling and I constantly smell mild "burning" so to speak. I was just wondering if this is a positive notion toward recovery or common in all patients who suffer from losing their sense of smell. Is it likely I will return to normal within my lifetime?

Also, if anyone has ever heard of anyone losing their senses after head trauma and regaining/not regaining them. Please comment, any feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks greatly!

[cypercat]

I just wanted to comment and I am not a doctor just a Mom. My son suffered a TBI and one of first questions when he woke up was did he feel like he could smell foods etc. These senses (smell and taste) in his case seemed to be heighten - he said he could smell things that we couldn't or when he tasted something it was very salty to him. One year out these seem to have settled down - he doesn't complain that things taste salty anymore and when asked by the doctors he says that his sense of smell is normal again. From what I read or have been told I do think this is common. I would also throw out any time frame that they give you.

Good Luck in your recovery - I know it is a long and difficult road you are on - we are walking it with our 15 year old son.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

After a brain injury, people may experience a loss of taste and smell which is called anosmia. This usually occurs without actually damaging the nose or tongue themselves.
When a person sustains a brain injury its impossible to predict how much they will recover and how long it will take. There is no formula to tell you which results are permanent and which are temporary.

If the sensory cortex in the brain has been bruised because of your injury, a gradual recovery of sensation may be possible. If the area has been torn, it is unlikely to return to normal functioning.

Eat a hot meal with a cold salad for different temperature experiences. Try spicy food from Eastern cuisines that cause sensations on the tongue. The object is to take some time to make meals interesting and fun, so it is still appealing to eat and feel satisfied afterwards.http://braininjury.org.au/portal/fact-sheets/anosmia---losing-your-sense-of-smell---fact-sheet.html

You may also need to take some extra steps to become safety conscious. Install plenty of smoke detectors if you can’t smell smoke in the house. Switch to electricity instead of gas. Read labels carefully in case you are using strong chemicals that need ventilation.

Hope it helps.Take care and God bless.

[ellad]

Hi Brittany - I was very interested to read your posting as I am suffering in a similar way.  I had my head injury 9 weeks ago and over the last week have just started to 'smell' a constant sweet burning smell.  This odour is obviosly not there and dissappears when I inhale deeply for a few moments.  I was wondering if your smell had returned or improved?  No one will tell me anything definate and it's beginning to depress me.  

[marty081]

I had a brain injury on Sept 13th and at first I lost my sense of taste and smell and then after about 2 weeks it mostly came back though things tasted odd at time. Like when I ate orange chicken it tasted like vinegar.  Now almost 2 months later I can't get theis sweet smokey taste out of my mouth and the smell is everywhere and it seems worse when I eat meat or cooked veggies.  It is driving me crazy. It seems to be getting worse but I don't have another Dr appt until Dec 18th.  If you find out anything let me know.  

[Boo1717]

I experienced a head injury in January of this year and still do not have any sense of smell or taste.  I can taste sweet and salt by not flavors.  I do get the occassional sense of smell (burning and other odd odors) but there is nothing there to smell and it goes away.  I went back to dr. and he told me that probably the way things are right now is the way they probably will be for me.  He said there is the possibility that the fall I had caused a tear in nerves for my sense of smell.  It is very difficult at times.  The not knowing and continuing to have no sense of smell or taste is very depressing at times.  But, when I find myself getting down I try to remember that things could have been much worse or even fatal.  Keep you chin up.

[GP2]

Hi, Brittany. I read though the posts and it seems a lot of folks are experiencing similar effects from TBI. I took a tumble from a horse in July and suffered a concussion and a brain bleed. Now -- you guessed it -- no sense of smell or taste. My neurologist tells me what others are being told: these senses may improve or they may not. And I, too, get discouraged. It's true things could be worse. There's a positive thought to grasp. My comment and question for everyone is exactly what other smell or taste sensations are some of us going through? I have had extended bouts of an odd metallic/citrusy flavor which is now evolving into a constant taste of soap! Like I'm chewing on a bar of Safeguard or something. It is unremitting and, frankly, nauseating. It would be nice to find some medical research that suggests some way to mask this -- or something!

[marty081]

So I talked to my Dr again and they are sending me to the Ears nose and throat dr.  Not sure what that has to do with my brain and my problems maybe they are just trying to rule out other problems.  

Mine scares me a little, I can smell a little and taste a little but that sweet smokey smell is what is most common except when I eat raw fruit, raw veggies, and sweets.  I am worried I might not smell a gas leak or something.

[brittanyf]

Thanks so much for all the posting.
It's been 4 months since the fall and lost of MRI's later, and I've still got hope.
I have experienced one taste incident where I regained flavour while sucking on a sour candy. It was brief but its the most I have experienced.
Now, from time to time I get the "smokey" sensation described. It comes and goes periodically. Sometimes just for a day, or maybe even a few.
The Docs haven't any way of letting me know about regaining it. The bruising is still present in my brain so its still a waiting game. The Doctors have warned me to visit immediately if I experience an overpowering smell of smoke, or metallic. In my case, this could sense something gone wrong.
Good luck to everyone...... don't lose faith!

[mello1016]

I myself am going through the same dilimma.  I was in a motorcycle accident in July and ---from what I am told, as I remember nothing--- was that I landed on my head.  I recieved serious head trama and have also lost or altered my sense of taste and smell.  Everything tastes one either sweet, like onion dip, or like pure grease.  It has been VERY discouraging and frustrating!  My nerologist has told me the same as your doctor has told you---may came back my not.  He told me my receptors were most likely severed do to the accident and they may or may not grow back.  I asked about any type of physical therapy to try to reprogram my brain and he said there was nothing I could do.  He said to give a year and that if it doesnt return that it most likely will not.
I like some of you should be thankful since they did have to bring me back from beyond and this is my only current problem with the exception of the pain from the still fractured ribs. But with that said it is still a frustration.  I have already lost 15 pounds and can not lose anymore since I am too thin.  But I wanted to thank everyone that has posted to this since it shows me that I am not crazy and others are suffing through the same thing and i am not alone.  Good luck to everyone and I hope and pray we will all regain our senses sooner than later.
Mello

[loriellis]

Hi Britany,

I was in a motor vehicle accident almost 4 years ago. I now have all my senses back, but I do remember when I was in the hospital smelling a burnt smell. I don't remember anything about the accident or the month following the accident when I was in the hospital. I was told that I answered questions and it was hard for people to believe that I couldn't remember any of it, but it was like I just woke up one day and I was in the hospital with no memory of why I was there. I had strange dreams and I couldn't distinguish between what was real and what was a dream. They had me on alot of strong pain meds, so I attribute some of it to that. For awhile, things hurt my ears, like anything high pitched. I had to turn the treble way down on the radio in my car. Also the sound of a person coughing hurt my ears too. Has anyone else had experiences like mine?
Lori

[brittanyf]

I'm so glad your senses returned!
When I fractured my skull, the blood from my cranium "collected" behind my left ear for a month or so. It was blue and black behind my ear and down my head. I also had a lot of trouble hearing from my left ear, because the blood was pressuring my ear drum.
Sometimes my ears ring, I'm not sure if that has anything to do with the treble level on the radio or anything.

[loriellis]

At least you are young. I am told the younger you are the easier it is for you to heal and regain things from a head injury. I was 43 when my accident occurred. I will probably not ever be the same again. I suffer from dizziness and loss of balance, loss of coordination and a tremor in my right hand whenever I try to write, eat or do anything that involves fine motor skills. But I still see small improvements after 4 yrs. so don't ever give up. Its a long road to recovery and I'm much better off than I was at first. I had 3 basal skull fractures and I had a blood clot in my left ear and I couldn't hear out of it for awhile. When they finally discovered it and took it out (it hurt like hell!) I could hear out of that ear again. I still experience the ringing, but its not as bad as it was, and I have some slight hearing loss in my left ear.

[Sampson79]

My brother is suffering from a TBI as we speak he to has a problem with taste and smell.  I have read that some meds can cause this.  Is anybody with these problems still on meds of any kind????
I hope and pray that all of you will recover to the fullest extent.  It is a very tough and trying time.

[jeff115]

i was in a car accident 4 weeks ago and hit my head pretty good almost two weeks after that my taste and smell started to change and slowly wen away its not gone toally just everything tastes and smells the same its a terrible allmost like gasoline taste and smell is thisthe same thing every body talks aout that most likely wont change

[onerez1]

it has been 15 years after my accident and i hope to share one thing i have learned from my accident. COPING skills....

life is not the same nor will it ever be.. somedays will be better then others.. time is what it took for me and i had to learn to cope because i cried and complained and no one cared. I have been to many things and still cope with many new issuses that come up.

My accident i was thrown from a truck inmilitary and rolled like a rag doll wheni was ejected. i had my helmet on and i hemmoraged my brain in the right occpical lobe and left frontal lobe and the falax and teritenium top of head.

i shattered my right radial head and fracture my humurs head, broke six bones in right ankle and fractured my L5 vertabrea.

due to many injuries some pains were worse then others as they lessend the others flared up. after many meds and problems i had to find other ways. i lost all memories of my life. and now adays idont have time to worry about that i work on haveing a better day then yesterday learn to cope and move on. it is not easy and it is not fair but it is my life and i am gonna smile everyday i am alive. 15 years ago i was not supposed to be here then 3 years later another accident from problem of the first one i should not be here and yet i am. i had a lot of problems and learned many solutions.

i can only hope you have faith and find the silver lining in the dark cloud..

[MSKR]

Greetings,
I am surprised to see so many people sharing the same Case.
I am Currently Suffering from similar symptoms as you (brittanyf). I have absolutely no sense of Smell what so ever, and only recently started to taste this awful taste in my mouth that does not seem to fad, I can’t explain the taste it is like nothing I have tasted before, you could say it resembles the taste of Blood or metal, but no matter how many times I brush my teeth it does not seem to ware off.

The Cause of this was an accident I had in an early Morning on (03.dec.2008). I was quite fortunate to survive such a terrible wreck while traveling at 320km’s losing control. Due to this accident I have suffered a Fractured skull, since the car disintegrated into 3 large parts, and caught fire, I am not sure where my head hit. But I injured the back of my head, exactly where Brittany described her injury. I was unconscious for 3 days & 8 days after regaining consciousness I discharged my self from hospital because they where doing a terrible job.



I am a very Physically Fit & Healthy Male, I would appreciate any new or points on my current condition if you need more information feel free to ask.

[Terry18]

Hi Brittany and everyone else who posted comments on loss of smell.  I had a brain injury that supposedly severed my olfactory nerve that took my sense of smell.  It has been 10 years and the neurologist originally told me there could be a chance it would come back but over a period of a few months to a year, if it did not come back then it probably would not.  I cannot tell if something is burning, and cleaning chemicals/sprays are a nightmare as I learned to be very careful when cleaning and inhaling the fumes after I got a few respiratory infections.  I did a great deal of research after the head injury and there was not much info out there.  However, that was 10 years ago and a lot has changed.  I can taste sweet, sour and definitely salt which can seem overwhelming if I feel something is too salty..I don't eat it.   I've definitely adjusted to the more spicy way of life.  The one thing I can offer, is that my neurologist told me, (and I've held on to these words for 10 years), is that if there ever comes a time they can make paralyzed people walk with some type of nerve regeneration, then I may have a chance to smell again.  I'm hoping that time may come in the form of the recently signed by the Federal Govt of stem cell research.   I wish you all the best, and reiterate that medical technology is changing rapidly....so don't give up hope.   Terry

[special6]

Hello Brittany and everyone else,
I also lost my sense of smell when I was only 13 years old. Someone I knew not very well came over on the last day of school and asked me if I would like to go for a ride on her horse. Well I thought, what could it hurt? The only thing I remember is telling my sister that I would just go up the street. But the end result was, we ended up going for a ride in the hills a few blocks away. The horse got spooked or something and I was bucked off. The back of my head hit a rock, which left me unconscious. I ended up in the hospital with a separated brain. The doctors told my parents that I would either die or live like a vegetable for the rest of my life. Fortunately I survived, but I did lose my sense of smell and it was and still is hard to deal with. It has been 33 years and I still cannot smell. The frustrating thing is what people say when you tell them that you cannot smell. They tell me that I am lucky! Or they assume that I just cant smell that well. It is a permanent thing. I do not smell ever. Their are times when I might think of something, that I remember use to smell good to me. And it is almost like I can smell it. But it is not there. But all I have to say....is if anyone out there is reading this that does have a sense of smell. You are lucky not me. You wake up on a beautiful spring morning and smell breakfast cooking and hot coffee brewing. Or maybe have a yummy donut with it. You go outside and smell the fresh clean air and the pretty flowers blooming right there in your front lawn. When you hug your signifacant other, the one you love. She or he, has a scent and that draws you near. These are just a few things that you get to enjoy, please admire and appreciate them always. Just as I will appreciate that I can still feel, see,hear, taste and I can talk and function. I thank god for this. Have a good day.

[mikbritt]

I was in a bad car accident where i was somehow thrown from the car at MPH. I though most of the problem was the horrible road rash on my back. I didn't realize how hard I hit the back of my head. I only suffered 3 hairline fractures and they were going to do surgery, but at the last minute for some reason didn't. It has only been about 6 months, but I can't smell anything and can only taste salt or sugar. I had to test everything just to see if I could taste something. I can't taste it in food though. The thing is when I left the hospital I COULD TASTE AND SMELL I know they sent me home to soon, and probably should have done the surgery. I don't know if I can live the rest of my life this way. I have only been going through this for months and you have for years. How do you do it? I cry almost everyday. I know it hurts my girls to see me like this. I can't even go outside for more than 10 minutes with out sunglasses or I will get a headache that will put me back in the ER. I haven't seen a neurologist yet I am working on it. I am just scared. I can live without tasting I'm use to that its the smelling I can never get use to it.. I am sorry for what you have gone through. I still can't say "well at least I'm alive" cause part of me is dead. Well take care, and I hope to hear back from you!

[pr0jectpat]

i lost my smelling abilty n it never came back i coupe with the lose its been a year in a half scene then and i still cant smell its not that bad til some one wants u 2 smell some thing cause they forgot lol

[THISue]

I also had an unexpected head injury.  I was at my daughter's school to put in some volunteer time.  It was a very windy day.  The semitruck was sitting in front of the school loaded with frozen cookie dough.  The doors were open off the back of the truck and hooked so that we could unload the boxes.  One of the doors swung around and struck me in the head as I was getting my first box off the truck.  I don't remember anything except waking up in a hospital several days later.  Had dizziness, memory problems, no smell, little taste, and hearing problems in the left ear.  Over 6 months later now and all I compain about is not having any smell and very little taste.  Just about a month or so ago I noticed I started smelling an unusual smell (not pleasant smell that's for sure).  I noticed I could smell this same smell with about anything that should smell but it's always that same smell.  I started to taste that smell too in some foods.  I use to love chocolate and peanut butter.  They are now my two worst foods to eat.  All I can say is I know I can live just fine this way for the rest of my life if I have to.  I sure am going to miss the smell of everything!!  I even miss the smell of my children and my husband.  I never thought I would be saying that.  I help myself get through this by enjoying the fact that I can still see and hear them.  Both of which are far more important to me.  The truth is the doctors don't tell us much about our sense problems because they don't know much about how our senses work.  I have been told I should not totally rule out getting my smell back until after 4 years or so.  There have been many who have had to wait that long.  It is nice to know I am not alone with these difficulties.  I will pray for all of us that it might return someday.  What a wonderful gift it would be.  Susan  

[aliyafalak]

i had an accident i fell off a the bike on oct 07. i was a pillion rider, on my way to coll.. and i actually didn feel i wud have an acc.. there was a car parked.. it  was jus a gap of few sec to enter my coll but somebody inside the car did not see as to who was approachin.. n her stupid carelessness made ME pay a heavy price.. she is elsewhere without a slightest trace of what trauma im goin through.. m dyin each day without my sense of smell..it really hurts. so on tat ill fated day she opened the car door i was sittin on one side of the bike.. i cud see tat i was to hurt myself, i thought i wud have a bad scratch or hurt my leg.. but wat happened was really the other way around.. i actually didn knw wat happened then i fainted.. regained my consciousness for a min in between .. i remember people tryin to lift me up and tryin to take me to the hospital.. again i fainted.. whn i opened my eyes i was in my coll wit my frnds n lecturer surroundin me.. my parents arrived by then.. took me to the hosp.. the doc checked me found me normal.. coz i didn vomiit either n sent me home.. as soon as i tried to sleep at my place i started to vomit.. was taken back to hosp.. had a scan done coz i had hurted my head.. the result was blood clot.. stayed for a day at the hosp.. with three bottles of glucoses given to me.. when i came home i realised i lost me sense of smell.. my neuro n ent told tat it had to come naturally..today it is a yr and 7 months.. sometimes when i see somethin i feel i can smell but i knw its not real bcoz i knw how those things smell..sometimes i get some sweet odour but i knw it isin true.. m nt able to figure out wats happenin... n m still waitin with a hope tat ill be back to normal n regain my senses.. but u knw wat it really hurts when i feel incapable of smellin.. its only when u loose somethin u realise its worth.. when i say this to people tat i cant smell it seems trivial to them.. and y wud they feel they do not knw how it hurts.. i was mad of perfumes i feel so depressed now.. nobody seems to understand hw it feels.. but i realise hw lucky all those people are..i jus pray nw.. tat ill also be able to enjoy the sweet smell of life someday.. i keep up the hope thinkin tat there are so many people out there tat suffer much more than me.. so u people too don loose hope..but one thing tat still hurts me is tat tat gal in the car didn even take an effort to find me in coll n apologise.. she dosen even knw wat m goin through jus bcoz of a silly mistake by her..

[gwells55]

I suffered a head and lower back injury from a fall in April of 2007 while building the new US Embassy in Bagdad Iraq. I had a skull fracture accompanied by internal bleding of the head and brain for about two weeks. Blood came out of my ears, nose, and mouth for about the same amount of time. The Military Hospital only kept me overnight,primarily to make sure that I didn't go into a comma, then released me with 10 days bedrest to recover in my living quarters. I can't blame the US Military, as those young men loosing arms and legs and lives certainly needed the bed space more than I did. It seemed that I had a partial sense of smell and taste for a few days after the fall/head trauma, and then after that I seemed to have lost everything. I almost can say that I have experienced almost the exact range of post accident symptoms that almost each and everyone of the brain and head injury community has since my accident. It's hard at times not to be able to enjoy those tastes and smells that I previously took for granted for so many years. Don't I pray to God for each and everyone of us that we all will regain these senses again in the near future. I don't really know who to seek out in the medical field for help in this matter. When I came back to the States from Iraq I saw two neurologists and both said they didn't know how to treat this problem. I would think that if certain nerves were severed or injured that others would step up to take their place, especially involving taste and smell,with the miraculous healing potential of the human body. AS greatly needed as these senses are you would just think that by now that the medical community would have figured out ways to bring these senses back to us, using the natural healing power of the human body. If anyone out there has had success regaining these senses could you please send us the info and the doctors names and no.'s who are helping you. I've tried some accupunture as well and some century's old herbs and teas from some ancient Chineese herbaligist in Chinatown N.Y.C. and that hasn't helped either. Thanks for listening. Take care and God Bless. S/Y Greg Wells   ***@****   [phone]

[oneshyjewels]

I too had a brain injury in 1996 and awhile after the injury I noticed that I lost my sense of smell and taste. I was also told that there was nothing that can be done. So I moved on and just dealt with it and everytime someone would say smell this, I just kept smelling things and looking for any kind of indication, hoping for something, but everytime there was nothing.   My sense of taste did start to return first  very slowly after that started then my sense of smell returned.  Im not going to smooth it over for you, it was a very long process but within the last 5 - 7 years my taste started to come back more and more and with my sense of smell is almost to normal, however it has been 13 years since my accident.  Just recently I went back to college and decided to do a essay on brain injurys and was looking for information (which is how I found this site!).  There is so much information on the net its almost scary.  I have dealt with other things in the past such as clumbsiness, memory issues and many other things but I never connected my injury to any of that until I started my research.  It is amazing on what you can miss if you dont have it, however, I decided early on that I was not going to dwell on what I don't have and dwell on what I still had and I was as lucky as you are to still be here!

[baxter214]

I'm glad that I read that your senses started to return in 5-7 years. 1 1/2 years ago, I suffered a fractured skull with a brain bleed after being hit by a van crossing the street. I have no memory of the accident, just waking up in the hospital after a week in ICU.
For the first 6-7 months after the accident, everything tasted and smelled the same...a sweet metallic. This was the worst. After that I gradually started to "taste" the 5 spices..salt, sugar, spicy, bitter and one more. If there is a strong oder, like cigarette smoke or car exhaust or fire, I still smell that sweet metallic smell. I can't distinguish what it is but I do know that there is an odor. If I'm with someone, I'll just ask what I am smelling. As to food, I just try to enjoy the texture and the memory.
Tasting spices, I have gravitated to sweets and snack on a lot of junkfood. That has led to a weight gain that I now have to control.
I actually gave up of  ever recovering but after reading of your "5-7 year"  recovery, I again have hope. I'm sure I am much older than you, but I'll just have to keep living longer if I am to enjoy the smell of new cut grass, my favorite.
Best to you and thanks.

[Doodah1]

I had a fall 12/13 years ago when i was 24, hairline fracture to the skull and to this day completely lost my sense of smell, from what my neurologist said back then, would be permanent. Periodically i look on the net to see if medical technology has moved on enough that there may be some sort of cure or regeneration possible.
It seems our best hope (i think) lay in stem cell development although i can't imagine we would be high up the pecking order, when quite rightly a lot of study must first going into Parkinsons and body paralisys.......
Still it would be great to hear from anyone, maybe even a neurologist that could shed a little light as to the chances, short or long term in there being some sort of positive treatment.
Thanks
Andy

[reenies]

I had a head injury walking up my steps in March 2009. I fractured my skull, had internal bleeding and have also lost my smell and taste. I went to a neurologist, who said the same thing as everyone else "3 months if it will come back" I can't accept this.  I still eat like I can taste. It's amazing what people (including myself) take for granted. I never even knew this kind of thing was possible. I have an infant, a 6 year old, and pregnant w/a third.  Can this affect the unborn baby?  I can only keep praying and be thankful it wasn't worse. But, shouldn't I be losing weight?

[damo_26]

In August 07 i spent 14 days on life support, i was in a car accident and broke every bone in my face, fractured my skull, 3 major brain bleeds, fractured my spine in L1, L2 and L3 and punctured my right lung. My face had to be completely reconstructed. They peeled off my face and inserting 19 metal plates, lots of screws and pins and bone grafts from my ribs and the back of my head. It was a 14 hour opperation. I had to have my face reconstructed again sinse then and i still have one more to go in January next year. I have lost alot sinse my car accident and have many things to cope with day in and day out, I cant look at photos of the person i used to be... the way i will never look again, i was a singer befor the crash but my vocal cords were damaged and now i cant sing and my memory is so bad that i cant remember what happened last weekend without help from my partner. With all i have been through the thing that hurts the most is that i have no sense of smell. I met my partner after i got out of hospital and would give anything to smell her hair, her skin... to really sense her beside me. Its so true that you dont know what youve got till its gone. I hope some day soon we have a cure. Stem cells seem the best hope. My heart goes out to you all for your losses... our losses, I try to take things day by day.

[reneef47]

Hello
I havent read all of these messages, so this may have been answered already. 6 years ago i had a concussion. To date, my smell is completely gone, as well as my taste. I do get phantom smells most of the time which are usually some type of burning and unexplained smells, which are just in my head, even though they are very strong. My memory is also extremely limited as I have trouble remembering the past, as well as current new memories. The only thing I heared from my doctor was that my smell and taste may come back, but if it went this long, it will never come back. I have never followed up on this unfortunate event, so if anyone has any information on anosmia (unable to smell) or phantosmia (phantom smells) plz email me at ***@**** as i will not be back on this site. Id love to know if there is some type of procedure that can help me, and us!
Thanks :)

[reneef47]

hmmm let me try that again
blackpoodle0106      at aol . com

[mikegross1]

    Hey Im Mike 17 years old and hit a wet patch going down a rather large hill on my longboard and hit my head pretty bad.  I did get a conussion, did fracture my skull, and did lose my sense of smell and taste. My nose does tingle but its practically unnoticable until it makes me sneaze.  However, I've noticed a change in my taste. Your taste is effected by your smell, but Im pretty sure it doesn't stay gone if you cant smell.  About a month after the accident (Happened July 31) I started to taste salty, sweet, spicy, and bitter, and liquor didnt taste like water anymore.  So just so you know this may occur and may not everyone is different.  I do wish you all on this page the best of luck with your health and I really hope you get your smell and taste back. I know how aggrivating it is to not have it!



                                                                    FoReal, Mike :]

[mik981b]

So i took a pretty nasty fall of a railing, fracturing my skull and causing bleeding/bruising in my brain.  Like everyone else that seems to be posting here i lost my sense of smell.  I still have my sense of taste but it is not as strong.  I have accepted the fact that this may never change, but as of two days ago i have this terrible taste in my mouth somewhat metallic and my tongue is tingling a little.  It has been almost two months since my accident.  Has anyone else experienced this and will this awful taste go away?

[Khufu]

I suffered TBI after being physically hit by a truck. I can taste just fine but my sense of smell is 99.9% gone. Every now and then I can smell something for a split second. I've been told, through I don't remember where from, that taste but no smell is a good indicator smell will return. This month will make this accident one year ago. Other senses kick in when one is decreased. Great.. EXCEPT when you can TASTE the sun baking road killed skunk rather than smell it.

So far all I can figure is if something is sweet, it has a high vibrational feel to it. If it's low, it's protein. Even this is sketchy at best.

So what's it mean when you can taste but not smell after a major head trauma?

[Fun4Life]

I had a head injury in September 09 and still can't smell or taste.  I noticed it very distinctly the morning after I hit my head on a sidewalk and received a fractured skull.  My MRI with contrast came back completely normal…the neurologist couldn’t even see the hairline fracture 2-3 weeks after my fall.  No concussion or bleeding was explained to me so seemed not to big of a deal at the time.  I had no idea this would continue, and can continue so long.

I also smell and taste a metal type “thing” that is indescribable.  It has gotten more distinct the last couple of days.  Weird.  I haven’t seen any doctors specifically for this because it sounds as though there aren’t any “fixes” for this condition we seem to have.  

I keep thinking positively and hope that I will get my senses back soon.  I encourage everyone else to do the same!  Life is too short…..and we have to remember this every day!!  However, I am interested in anyone’s story to see what the “norm” is in getting back to normal.

[biddy89]

i bangedmy head in july 09 lost my smell and taste and justv  recently have started smelling a horrible smell that i never have smelled before and when i have a pint that also tastes horrible like nothing i no

[biddy89]

can enybody sugest anything

[brereton1979]

I fell backwards off a wall about 7 weeks ago banging the crown of my head and suffered contusion on the brain and a concussion - as well as broken ribs - i'm aware this isn't nearly as bad as some people who've posted here! I didn't take any notice of it for a few days but then I started realising I couldn't smell or taste anything. I asked the doctor at my follow-up appointment and he just said i'd 'probably' damaged the area of my brain that deals with these senses and it would 'probably' return. I have a constant taste in my mouth and lingering smell in my nostrils of what i can only describe as burnt wood or something very 'musty'. it's very strange. If I eat anything which you might describe as bland - anything that's not spicy or sweet - I taste it worse. It's starting to become nauseating. The first couple of weeks after the injury it just seemed like i'd a headcold - no sensation at all - now it's all this terrible smokey sensation.

Has anyone been through this kind of thing and got their senses back completely? not many from above i see. Sometimes I just get so worried. I loved my food annd now nothing is appetizing anymore. I kind of enjoy indian for the hot sensation - but i used to LOVE it for the combination of spices etc. I can smell actual smoke but only iof a certain kind! how weird is that! if i burnt toast - not a thing, but if I lit a turf fire and smelled my hands after it I can smell the smoke from them.

I really feel for you guys on here and really hope - for myself and you - that our senses return.

Best Wishes,

Glen

[biddy89]

i banged my head in july o9 and lost smell n taste but the last few weeks i can taste a horrible taste and smell that i have neverv experienced before especially when i have a pint i cant go out now as its no fun suppin coke all nite i av tio go for some sort of head scan when i get appointment but they dont seem to be in any rush it is horrible

[frufru]

I HAD A MENGIOMA BRAIN TUMOR TWO YEARS AGO; IT WAS PRESSING ON MY OPITCAL NERVE. IT WAS. THE SIZE OF A GOLF BALL. IT CAUSED ME TO LOSE MY PROLIFICAL VISION & IT WAS WRAPPED AROUND MY OFACTORY NERVES & I ALSO DO NOT HAVE SENSE OF SMELL OR TASTE. IM THANKFULL THE TUMOR WAS NOT CANCER.  BUT IT IS VERY HARD TO EAT HEALTHFULL FOOD NOT BEING ABLE TO TASTE OR SMELL  .AND TO NEVER SMELL ANYTHING DOES GET YOU DOWN. VERY DEPRESSING.. YOU KNOW PEOPLE JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND . SO THANK YOU ALL FOR LETTING ME VENT. BECAUSE YOU DO UNDERSTAND.

[EricTH]

Just glancing thru this site, very informative. I had a motorcycle accident in 1976. I loss the sense of smell and taste, plus the use of one ear. For the last 33 years I have experienced the "phantom smells (burnt something) and phantom tastes (metallic and soapy)" Thanks for all posting that they have had this also so I know I am not crazy. All I can add to this message board is that it (phantom experiences) do go away (but also return every now and then). But your senses lost will never return, and this is a very depressing and "difficult to explain to others" way to have to live life. It is also very hard to find employment when you have to disclose the loss of smell. This is a very hazardous condition to live with. You cannot smell fire (smoke), the wrong mixture of chemicals, the presence of natural gas (think living alone with a problem with the stove, water heater, furnace). The real sad part is we cannot get any help from the Social Security, since they do not recognize this as a disability. But believe me, it does affect your life. Sorry to be such a bummer, but it is Christmas Day and again, I cannot enjoy the foods I use to like for the first 18 years of my life. Now everything has to have enough salt on it that it is white, I drink Tabasco out of the bottle for a mild feeling in the mouth. My diet is the pits, I know what to eat, but have no interest in it. Sorry to ramble on, will let it go as that.
Eric

[frufru]

TO ERIC.
           I JUST READ YOUR COMMENT, I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL, AND ONLY WE NON SMELLERS AND TASTERS KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE. . MY DIET IS NOT GOOD EITHER. I USED TO LOVE TO COOK , AND THAT HAS BECOME SOMETHING I JUST HATE TO DO. IF YOU CAN;T SMELL OR TASTE IT THE PLEASURE IS GONE. OH ALSO I CAN NEVER SMELL MY PERFUME AGAIN A BUMMER!!!

A NEW YEAR IS COMING SO I THINK ALL OF US SHOULD TRY TO MOTIVATE OUR SELVES TO TRY TO EAT HEALTHLY WHEATHER WE TASTE IT OR NOT IM GOING TO GIVE IT A TRY. SO GOOD LUCK TO YOU.AND HANG IN THERE

    FRU FRU

[cathydunn]

3 months ago I fainted striking my head. I had two skull fractures and a brain bleed. I have lost my sense of smell, I can taste sweet, salt and sour. This past week I have had a phantom smell, it is very strong and noxious, sometimes it is gone in a few seconds and other times it lasts for an hour or more. Both the ENT and the neurologist said my smell will not return. I also have a problem with dizziness, I cannot look up and cannot get up from a laying down position without feeling very dizzy. I also get very fatigued- I am a nurse and am used to working 2 to 3 16 hour shifts weekly, now I am not even able to work a full 8 hours. No one can tell me how long this will last.
Good luck to everyone.

Cathy

[Trace80]

Just over a week ago I fell backwards down the stairs from top to bottom - I had been out with friends and stupidly had too much to drink and don't remember a thing about the accident, but apparently hit every step on the way down and then hit the concrete floor at the bottom, and the skirting board with the top of my head. Very silly of me I know,but my husband checked me and thinks I lost consciousness for a short time. I was put to bed and couldnt remember a thing the following morning, other than a headache and a sore shoulder blade! Since then I have not felt myself. My symptoms got worse. I have been having headaches (some which wake me from my sleep in the early hours - both in the front, and the back of the head), periods of dizziness (sometime the whole room is spinning round when I sit up), other times its just a slight disorientation, a burning palsing pain in the centre of my head when I have been sitting for a while, or get out of the car, but the thing that bothers me most is that I cannot smell or taste a single thing ! I keep smelling the coffee jar, perfume, deodrant etc. but nothing ! I have visited the doctors and two hospitals - one said that it was sinus related and that the loss of taste and smell was probably nothing to do with my accident. The other was not convinced and gave me a head scan but thankfully all is clear on the scan. I feel really out of sorts and depressed -the thought of not being able to taste food again is horrific. I love food its just not the same eating and only being able to feel the texture in your mouth. I keep imagining what it did taste like before but its just not the same. I just want to turn back the clock as I was fine till I fell downstairs. I have read the comments on here and some of you guys have been through far worse injuries -  I know its only just over a week but the loss of taste and smell is driving me mad already. Is anyone in a similar boat to me - comments would be appreciated. Thanks, Tracey

[stuart81]

hi, im 20 i decided to go on holiday september 2009 to greece to clear my head after the loss of my father, the last 2 half months were really good untill i decided to go for a walk at night due to feeling down, on the way back i crossed aroad without looking it was 5am stupid i know but wasnt really paying attention, had my ipod on loud and thinking hard, i got knocked over by a car and was unconcious for 5 days woke up with a sore head, was dazed but fine came out of the hospital and rested, brought a plane ticket back home to the uk for a week later! then 2 days before i was to fly i got really worried about my friend who i had been imformed had been rushed to theatre, i never got a text back and felt dizzy passed out fell back on to the corner of the table and smashed my head, got rushed to hospital, i was unconcious for 6 days woke up had brain scans which revealed that i have a cracked skull, and i have lost a whole year of memmories :( i dont remember anything from 2009and im scarred because in 2009 i have precious memmories, i also have a deteriating brain :( ive been told that there is a slim chance that my memmories will come back in april some time, but thats slim can anyone advise me if there is some percentage ? please i realise ive been in hospital for only 3 weeks now and its early days but im really freightend, i feel empty inside, like im a stranger to all my family and friends, :(

[Philly29]

Hi, I'm 29 years old and a little over a year ago (Aug. 2008) I was leaving a bar in my neighborhood and out of nowhere I got hit over the head with something and I was knocked out cold and I fell straight back and my head hit the ground it fractured my skull in the back and I had a bleed on my brain and I lost my sense of smell and taste as a result of it so I know where all you people are coming from. I get them phantom smells too and it's depressing I just want to be able to enjoy the smell and taste of food again and be able to tell my girlfriend that her new perfume smells really good but I can't and it gets on my nerves you don't realize how much you use your sense of smell until you lose it. The doctors can't give me a straight answer they just said it may come back it just takes a long time and it comes back very slow but it's been over a year and I still can't smell anything so I don't think it's coming back for me at all. It also effected my short term memory sometimes I'll forget something that just happened or that I just said and my balance has been a little off too since my injury

[danajournalist]

I have had no smell and taste since my car crash in March 1998.
I was hit by a drunk driver and he is walking free.
I want my senses again.
I ask God sometimes to do a miracle-
    he may do it, I hope so.
It is hard, but I believe It doesn't mean my life can't be good, even great.
Thanks for helping me know I am not alone,
everyone.
: )
Dana

[SteveL67]

I too had a head injury in Dec of 2008 . As I was running a race I twisted my ankle. You ask what does this have to do my head injury. Well, after twisting my ankle I finished the race. Had breakfast with family, played pool with teenage son and brother.by mid-afternoon my ankle just swelled up . Panicing, I elevated and iced my leg. The pain was getting intense so I decided to drive myself home which was 40miles and I drive a clutch. The pain intesified, I became dizzy then pulled over to the side of the expressway.
I was getting clammy and needed fresh air so I opened the car door stood up and by the time I reached the rear of the car I blacked out.
I woke up with headlights from oncoming traffic flying past my head and I heard a voice. It was a police officer. He asked me how long I was out . I could'nt answer that, I didn't know .
I was rushed to hospital where they ran test on my ankle and of course an MRI on head. Ankle was fine but they kept me because I had bleeding in front part of head. I needed two staples in rear of head so I guess I hit the ground pretty hard.
Swelling went down several month later, but I noticed I wasnt able to smell. This really sucked because my job requires 20% of smelling . I'm a chef. so smelling is pretty important.
I went to a ear,nose and throut specialist where I did a smell test in which I bombed. He told me I may never have smell again. I can taste.
I miss the smell of grass, food and my sweetie but I'll settle for tasting things. Maybe god can help me with this for I know it's in his power.

[giddzy]

i was a back seat passenger in a high speed accedent on 20th september 2003 aged 18 . i head butted the head rest causing a frontal bone fracture and pushing the top of my nose in. i noticed straight away i had no smell at all how ever i could taste sweet , sour and salty just no flavour.
the doctors told me that if they havent returned with in a few months to not expect them to return.the thing that gets me down the most is that i couldnt smell my own baby's baby smell or when she now 4 comes up to me and says ''smell these flowers daddy'' i have to pretend to smell them. and when i get married i wont get to enjoy the smell of the flowers.  

[dragonfly52]

I had a head injury 2 years ago,,,,,had 5 bleeds and a basal skull fracture which gives you the racoon eye appearance.  I am a nurse and have researched as most of you.  The olfactory nerve is one of the 7 cranials nerves.  It can regenerate but so far I do not find that to be reality.  I can tell the difference of salt, sugar,and sour.  I cannot tell if I am eating turkey,fish,meet or pork.  I cannot tell what fruits I am eating except by texture.  I do have balance issues and take meclazine to help with balance.  I no longer play tennis as get dizzy when looking back over my shoulder.  I get earaches on the side of the injury as well as hear a voice in that ear but that is rare.  Today I became confused at work and felt that I was in slow motion.  I went home and slept and felt better.  

[socalife]

On October 14, 2009, I walked into a staircase descending from the second floor.  I was looking down due to the bright morning sun and walked into the stone stair directly on the top of my head about 3-4 inches from the crown.  Hitting the step knocked me back to the ground but I did not lose consciousness, nor did I hit the back of my head.  Two days later I experienced severe nausea, visual distortions, dizziness, vomiting, light and noise sensitivity, migraines, ear ringing, and loss of balance. I evaluated in the ER as well as had CAT scans, and MRI’s.  All tests were normal and a diagnosis of post concussion syndrome was made. After several months of symptoms and pain I returned to work in February 2010. Several of my symptoms have improved and I have noted some new ones.  I rarely have nausea and no vomiting anymore.  The rest of his symptoms continue to be present at varying degrees of severity. About three weeks ago I realized I had a near complete loss of taste and smell.  This occurred so gradually I didn't notice it happening.  I first noticed it after opening a can of diet coke that tasted bad.  I opened another can tasted the same and realized that I had a significant change of taste.  I realized that the loss of smell was concurrent with the loss of taste.  Neither of these symptoms have improved and I believe are in fact getting worse.  I continued to experience constant ringing in my ears.  The migraines are intermittent at this point and I successfully treated them with 2 to 6 mg of Zanaflex.  This has been an amazing medication for my headaches and migraines.  I also have visual distortion in the right peripheral vision of both eyes.  When driving over 40 miles an hour, objects seem to rapidly stop and start as if they were strobing in the right peripheral vision of both eyes.  This initially caused me to experience motion sickness but is something I'm getting used to.  If I slow my speed down to less than 40 mph the visual symptoms improve.  I initially had loss of short-term memory which seems to be improving.  For several months I would lose my keys and wallet no matter where I put them when I got home.  My wife put a box for me in the Butler's pantry as well as hung some hooks where I put everything in my pockets including my glasses as soon as I walk in the front door.  This helps greatly although she is very frustrated with my forgetfulness.  I calendar everything and use alarms in my cell phone to remind me of appointments as I chronically forget things.  This bothers me as much as my loss of smell.  I hope it comes back and it's nice to see that I am not alone.  E-mail me if you find anything that helps your loss of smell or taste; I would be at love to read it.

[scizzors]

In 1969 my husband was a firefighter and was thrown by a hose.  He hit a curbing very hard, and it caused a concussion.  It took his taste and smell and he has never regained it.  He cannot smell anything and that can be dangerous as he loves to cook. However, over the years he has compensated as far as the taste is concerned.  He can tell if something needs more or less sugar, and if something needs salt or pepper, but he is never sure.  He always loved to cook. Saying that, in 1998 an antibiotic called Gentamicin took his "vestibular" (balance) system and he walked something like "a drunken sailor". He has to be very careful about any movement. He feels comfortable in the kitchen, so he has taken over most of the cooking and I do the jobs he no longer can do. He does a good job with his cooking, even without his taste and smell. Good luck to you all. scizzors  

[Jersey_Boy]

I too had an accident, although nt as severe as most of you, but no less an accident. On may 27th 2010 I passed out and fell backwards and hit my head on the concrete, everyone said it sounded like a firecracker went off when my head hit the ground, I went to the hospital 14 hrs. later, it was then when i realized I couldnt taste or smell anything. The doctors told me the same thing, it may come back and it may not. What kind of answer is that? I'm still hopefull that it will come come back, really hopefull, I'm going to school to be a cop and as it is not a requirement to have those senses, it will be helpful in my day to day incounters.  Good luck to everyone on their improvements. Remember this..... Life is too short to take the little things for granted, so enjoy what you can while you can and live for today because yesterday is gone and tomorow doesnt exist. one more thing, in the words of Doogie Houser M.D. "life can only be understood backwards, but must be lived forwards."  
                                      

[mimi5678]

Hello Brittany,
I am 12 years old I have never had head trauma but when i was six is hit my head on a pole then busted my head open on concrete and it to months to recover , and I just wanted to say don't stop believing because I have faith in you.<3

[Nicky235]

Oh my god, I'm so sorry for you guys! I had a TBI too plus bleed on the brain after being involved in a car crash (I was the passenger) I can't remember at all if I lost sense of smell or taste so I'm guessing I didn't. I do remember one day in hospital them giving me liver to eat (which I hate) and just leaving the room as it was disgusting. I think for the 6 months after the crash I had a heightened sense of smell and taste. I do have to ask however, I read someone saying they can still taste but not smell and while I don't understand, surely that must mean you have a slight sense of smell? You need to smell to taste. I'm not sure but that's what I believe my body does anyway i.e. If I have a cold and a blocked up nose, I can't taste. I may sound stupid here but that must be a tiny glimmer of hope? I'm not trying to patronise just hoping that is the case!
My heart goes out to all of you, this is a hard road to travel. I'm still not better after nearly 4 years.
Also, just to add, the people that have a ringing in their ears? This may be tinnitus and again my heart goes out to those of you as I have tinnitus and can't bear it! I can't hear anyone that talks to me (properly) in my left ear. It just involves a constant stream of "what?" or "pardon?"
I also can't cry. My tear ducts were damaged :( I suppose I'm lucky to have a very good doctor Had a few problems in hospital (e.g. my bed not being changed/cleaned for days, my room being covered in dust)
Anyway, sorry for going off subject! I wish you all well and hope within time senses come back x

[TBIViC]

It was 1 year in April when I suffered a violent assault which fractured my skull in three places and caused bleeding in my occipital lobe and also a contra-coup bleed in my frontal lobe. I was in ICU for 7 days. Around one month after my incident I realized that I could not smell or taste anything. That is 40% of my senses. Nearly half are gone. This is extremely discouraging and depressing. I do realize that at least I am alive but my quality of life is not there anymore. The little things in life like smelling some good food that stimulates you and gets you excited, I will never experience. Smelling the fresh air, something so simple, I will never experience. Or on the other side, what if there is a fire and I am alone and can't smell the smoke or if there is a gas leak?  What do I do? My neurologist told me to take B-complex vitamins but nothing has changed. If anyone has any advice please let me know as well as the rest of us.

[Zippy89]

Hey Brittany have you got your sense of smell and taste back yet? I have the same injury as you! Although I fell off a skateboard hit the back of my head, flooded my left ear with blood and had a small about of air in my brain too. Its been nearly 3 weeks and my hearing is nearly back to normal but no sense of smell what so ever and can only taste salt or very spicy things. Was wondering after nearly 2 years if you have fully recovered!? Would really appreciate to know if its possible for me to smell or taste everything once again. Thanks Zoe

[paddyk]

Hi All,i had a bad fall march 3rd was playing indoor soccer was accidently tripped whilst running at full speed went head over heels smashing the back of head. I was not knocked out but there was a lot of bleeding resulting in me getting 6 staples. I realized after 2 days my smell and taste had gone, had a scan 3 days later which revealed no fracture thankfully.I seen an ENT consultant who gave me a weeks course of steroids i believe to ease the swelling and scar tissue.I definately noticed a little improvement after a few days which was most encouraging,however having completed the course my lack of taste and smell has returned sadly.I'm due to see another ENT consultant in 2 weeks.I too get those weird metalic smells and tastes along with burning smells!! I must say it does get you down and it's so nice to read all your comments from fellow sufferers, wish you all the best,Paddy

[peggers5ful]

I too, would love to know if you regained any sense of smell or taste back.  On April 2, 2010 I fell, ice skating.  Both of my feet went out from under me, from a standing position, I fell on my bottom and my head swung back and smacked the ice...FULL FORCE.  After a visit to the ER, I ended up with a broken skull (no bleeding).  There is no doubt that I am very lucky to be alive, due to the force/impact of my head hitting the ice and I had no lasting problems....EXCEPT losing my taste and smell.  I actually felt like I adjusted fairly well to this (it was hard at first and I soooooo badly miss the smell) until I also started (2 weeks ago) to experience this weird taste and what feels like a smell.  It doesn't smell like anything burnt, more like something sweet and floral?  Now that I have read these posts I can say that yes...the metallic is also there.  Before, I could taste only sweet, salty, spicy and sour (this occurs on the back of my tongue).  Now everything I put my nose/mouth to smells or tastes this strange odor.  It is driving me CRAZY.  I just have to know if it EVER goes away.  I can live without the smell/taste (although it's rough) but this strange odor is gonna be tough!

[ivy_huh]

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/

[sissy50640]

YES! I loass my smell and taste due to a head injury after failing from a roof and fractured my skull in three places...
some of the smell returned, however not complete...and the taste is not the greatess...however it has been about a year and half now and maybe it will get better or maybe not, listen they really can't tell you what will happen or how long it will take, just put in pray and don't let it drive you nuts....start excepting now so that you well be ok no matter what...

[Kitek]

Hi Everyone,

It's hard when one does not have a sense of smell. I used to love smelling perfumes and flowers. I always use my sense of smell to check if the linen is clean as well as the laundry and other things. A person should always have 5 senses to enjoy life to the full.

Since my vehicular accident less than a month ago, I noticed I had lost my sense of smell. There's still some there but more like floral if something smell good like soap, perfume or lotion. If there's thick pollution or smoke from a barbecue, I can smell a cigarette-like burning scent . It never got to be this weird!

I hit my head hard and suffered 5 stitches at the back of my head and the impact gave me a mild fracture at the right side of my forehead.

I am not losing hope that everything will be alright. I'm going to take the medications my doctor has prescribed me including a nasal spray and vitamin B complex. I am thankful to the Lord I am still alive and almost back to normal. I will continue to pray to Him that I get back my sense of smell.

Thanks everyone.

[louise1970]

Hi...I have only come across this page after about 5 years! I collapsed with a bout of the Norovirus. I was in the bathroom, and felt faint so sat on the toilet and held the towel rail tightly. Unfortunately, I passed out and came to on the floor by the bath, which I may have hit my head on when I passed out. My head, neck and shoulders hurt so much from my collapse that I went to the hospital the following day and they did an x-ray. They said I had severe whiplash and was sent off with some pain killers. It wasn't until a few days later that I realised I may have fitted during my fall, as there was a large dint in the metal bin, and was definitely no where near where I found myself when I came to.
For the first 2 years since that collapse, I could not taste a thing-I poured pepper onto everything to try and get some kind of flavour, but that didn't work.
Also, probably because of my loss of taste, and the fact that it is a struggle to survive because everything is bland, that I don't fancy food though my sense of smell is probably heightened where if I smell food it makes me feel ill, my weight has gone up by about 6 stone-The main reason for going to my doctor so much.
She only put it to me this past week that my loss of taste could be something to do with me hitting my head and fracturing something in the brain/nose (I can't remember exactly-My memory being another thing that has suffered since my collapse).
If anyone has any other idea on my problems I would be eternally grateful.
Many thanks in advance!
Louise

[deanne71]

I too, while putting away Christmas presents this last year hit my head hard on the opening of the attic in Feb 2010 and have had no sense of taste or smell.  I can detect the sense of sweet, sour, bitter, spicy but have no idea what the food is.  All smells are the same, like an acid smell, but they differ as to what I am smelling.  Either it increases or decreases depending on the product or food.  If I was blindfolded I couldn't tell you what I was smelling or tasting.  It is very frustrating as I work in a bakery and people come around and ask what the great smell is.........I'm guessing the cookies that just came out of the oven!  Is there any hope that I can smell or taste again.

[ginman23]

Hello folks, I was in a motor vehicle accident 6 months ago, broke my ocular bones and nose, flew out of the car, compound fractured my left leg, had a sub-arachnoid brain injury, and ultimately suffered a stroke. I also suffered a coma for 5 days. the driver of the vehicle was( my good friend) was sadly killed. Now I am in recovery and am making a very fast recovery at that. One thing i have noticed is that my sense of smell and taste has been affected, I smell poorly, and only taste salty things or other strong things.This bothers me greatly, and no doctors have given me any consistent answers, some responses I receive  are possible nerve damage to one or more of the 5 nerves running across your face(possible bone fragment damaging the nerve) in which case the nerve will regrow, however in a while. Another answer I received was possible brain damage to the front of the brain which looks like a colander with nerve fibers coming out of the holes which may have snapped from my brain shaking so violently, in which case they doubt my senses would return. Not knowing how I will be in the future is very concerning, and if anyone has an answer I would greatly appreciate it, and my heart goes out to all of those who have experienced similar injuries, just know things could be worse and we survived for a reason

[Jadeleonard]

Hi my mums best friend had a bad accident 15 years ago she has no taste or smell atall I'm sorry to say but hers was a very serious accident and a very bad head injury which left her in a coma for weeks she also had no memory of who anyone was but slowly come round and now is back to normal except her smell and taste hope all goes well for u and I hope u r ok!! Thanks for reading jade! X

[michaellewis88]

I too had a concussion 6 weeks ago, lost my sense of smell, and I've developed a phantom smell.  At first, it seemed that my taste had only been slightly diminished.  But now it seems that my taste is almost entirely gone and the phantom smell has expanded into my taste buds.  Also, I'm noticing that when something that naturally should have an odor is present; that is when the phantom smell is triggered.

Has anyone had this experience and then found that in time it diminished in time?  I'm hoping that this new sensation will eventually go away.  It was bad enough to first have no sense of smell and a diminished sense of taste.  But this is worse.

[cindylulu]

I, too, can not smell anything at all and only taste salt and sweet, without any distinction for flavors.  My accident occurred more than 30 years ago resulting in a serious concussion. I have been this way ever since.  Quite honestly, there are some advantages.  Yes, I do recognize the dangers, but I truly believe that if I had to lose a sense, I'm happy it was smell.  

[MZLAUREL]

I am 54 now. When I was 15 I had a 35mph bicycle accident. Landed on the back of my head.
I was never taken to the doctor.
I was on the couch for a week with a screaming migraine. (week of spring vaction)
I suffer from migraines to this day. I do have a familiy hx of migraine.
It took two years for my sense of smell and taste to get back to normal.
Now I am having issues with my hearing being too loud on one side.
When I was in my 30's they dicovered a herniated disc. Who knows if I got it in the accident.
I have had significant emotional issues. I developed PTSD from a series of traumas (physical and emotional) that dated back to toddlerhood.
I do not know how much of my emotional issues are related to the injury.
I feel like suing my parents for not taking me to the hospital.
The migraines ar not so much of a problem, now that I am on disability. Work was difficult, as I was having migraines of one sort or another 70% of the time.
I wish I had had help when I was a kid.
I hope you know how fortunate you are to be in this era of medical knowhow.

[11hahawk]

I am 17, will be 18 in 3 days. I was in a golf cart accident in June of 2009. I was life flighted to a hospital learned there that I had a skull fracture and severe concussion. Even to this day, I have no taste or smell. I can tell if something is sweet or salty when tasting it, but not much more than that. I struggle every single day with losing two senses. I keep it from pretty much every besides my family and my best friend. My life has changed extremely from it. I try to get through everyday without thinking about it and usually it works since I'm pretty used to it now. I pray everyday hoping it will come back.

[thisjustin]

Wow I'm crying my eyes out reading all of this... I myself recently cracked my skull by hitting the back of my head on the road and suffered a subdural hematoma (blood clot in the brain) and can't smell or taste either. I'm 25 years of age and the worst that thing about all of this so far (it has only been 3 weeks) is the depression I'm experiencing. I never knew what irritability or depression was before this. It might sound selfish, but to see that I'm not alone whatsoever cheers me up. I hope you all recover well and thanks for posting all the stories.

[VehiconLust]

I have read all the above posts and I am surprised to know that there are many other people who suffer from the same thing.

When I was 8 months pregnant with my first child at the age of 19, I passed out and hit my head on a hard tile floor really hard. When I came to in the hospital the doctors wanted to run a test for meningitis but did not find any sign of it. They sent me home no more questions asked. Later that night when I went to eat, I realised that I could not smell nor taste. I never really thought much of it. About 2 weeks later I regained my sense of taste. Tho without the sense of smell, my sense of taste was not at it's full potential but I could still taste nonetheless. Here it is 12 years later and I still CANNOT smell.

It's weird but it has never bothered me. Ever since my loss, I've never questioned it nor thought about it. I continued to live my life as if nothing was wrong. I still continue to live as tho nothing is wrong. I've a total of 3 children now my youngest being 2 and tho I always need to rely on my husband and older children to warn or tell me about certain smells such as the baby being poopy, the litter box, foul odors in the air, etc. etc., it doesn't bother me one bit. Being that I can't smell, it does cause me to be more of a clean freak. Being I am a stay at home and have been since the birth of my first child, I have plenty of cleaning time.

But anyway, my point is that losing my sense of smell has not hindered me at all. After the first couple of weeks of losing it, I forgot about it. I still live a happy, normal, stress free life. The way I see it, I could have lost much more. Being able to not smell doesn't phase me one bit and I've never been to a doctor to inquire about it or how to get it back. I don't rightly care if I get it back or not. After 12 years, it'd be a miracle if I did anyway.

[brittanyf]

This is amazing!! When I posted my story I was still bed bound with a herniated disc and a pinched sciatic nerve preventing me from moving, therefore I entrusted in the internet and everyone like you to help me out.

I'm now 19, 2.5 years after my rope fall, and I'm still in the same "boat". No smell or taste, however I have upgraded to deciphering the difference between extremely spicy things vs a sweet fruit, but no flavours. Once, last June 2009 I was swimming in the Atlantic Ocean (I'm Canadian) and I could 'taste' the ocean salt water!! It was amazing, but thats about it for me...

I pray for each and every one of you, never lose hope... honestly, you are not the only one and that is so apparent!!

Please continue discussing... make me feel rest assured that things will be okay. I'm currently living in Australia. Starting all over and having to explain it to most people I encounter... it's upsetting and I pretty much have to relive more often then I'd like. Life will never be the same, ever. But I've accepted that much. It's time to get on with life, keep the faith going and hope our brains are repairing themselves day.

Keep smiling!! Thanks for everyone's responses
Brittany

[brittanyf]

This is amazing!! When I posted my story I was still bed bound with a herniated disc and a pinched sciatic nerve preventing me from moving, therefore I entrusted in the internet and everyone like you to help me out.

I'm now 19, 2.5 years after my rope fall, and I'm still in the same "boat". No smell or taste, however I have upgraded to deciphering the difference between extremely spicy things vs a sweet fruit, but no flavours. Once, last June 2009 I was swimming in the Atlantic Ocean (I'm Canadian) and I could 'taste' the ocean salt water!! It was amazing, but thats about it for me...

I pray for each and every one of you, never lose hope... honestly, you are not the only one and that is so apparent!!

Please continue discussing... make me feel rest assured that things will be okay. I'm currently living in Australia. Starting all over and having to explain it to most people I encounter... it's upsetting and I pretty much have to relive more often then I'd like. Life will never be the same, ever. But I've accepted that much. It's time to get on with life, keep the faith going and hope our brains are repairing themselves day.

Keep smiling!! Thanks for everyone's responses
Brittany

[johnny216]

hi,

It's now been my Anniversary of my head injury, no smell, no taste and it's not coming back! what i am worried about is the 'phantom' smells or 'emanations' as the doc says. Lost 15 kg in 6 mnths just aint intrested in food anymore! caused depression and frustration and my 3 lovely daughters are still trying to put up with me! would appericiate any comments...

[Brick26]

First of all I just want to say that I hope every single one of you sees improvement in their sense of smell/taste. Going through something like this really makes you appreciate the simple joys of life.

2 months ago I received a concussion and a hairline fracture in my skull from hitting the back of my head. Ever since then, much like everyone else, I have been unable to really smell anything and cannot taste the flavors of food. Recently I have gotten these phantom smells which has resulted in food tasting like that smell. It's extremely disheartening when you can't even enjoy some of your favorite foods and smells. I know 2 months is nothing in comparison to some of you who have been experiencing this for years. I just wanted to reach out to anyone who might want to talk about it, because this is not the easiest time to go through. It always helps talking to someone who knows what you are going through. If anyone has used a treatment method or have gone to a specialist that has been effective, please share it with the rest of us. My prayers are with all of you hoping that your senses return. Cheers

Andrew

Andrew

[jason691]

My injury was in August 2009. I fell back on a skateboard and ended up in ICU. I still have no smell and little taste. The phantom smell does drive me crazy, and I do notice that it's activated by real smells sometimes. Along with the taste/smell thing, I always feel tired. But yet I have trouble sleeping. I have a real hard time multi tasking as well, which puts me in fear of loosing my job. And ofcourse constant headaches. My question is have any of you received social security benefits due to your injury. I'm not one to juice the system, but I'm also not the same as I was. My doctor also diagnosed me with PTSD associated to TBI. They put me on meds but I stopped taking them because they actually made me feel more nervous. I've always been such a hard worker, but now I feel like I'm barely holding onto my job. Any comments would be apreciated.

[LisaF3]

I suffered a fractured skull when I fainted in my driveway on Dec 11th of 2009.  I did not realize until I woke up in the ICU the next morning that my smell and taste were gone.

It now has been 11 months and still nothing but phantom smells which differ alot depending on the day.  I had an appointment with a neurologist this past Wed. and he said there was nothing they can do for me and that it for sure is permanent...I wanted to cry. It is so hard to cook and eating is just a chore anymore.  I probably put way to much salt and sugar in my food b/c I can sense salty, sugary, bitter and sour foods but could not tell you what I was eating if I had my eyes closed.

I hope some day we all get our miracles!!  I am glad I am not alone but wish you all didn't have to go through this b/c it *****!  
Good luck all !
  Lisa

[bustedbrain]

i had an aneurysm that ruptured 3 years ago i was in the hospital for 45 days i had an aneurysm coiling i had  this bloody metalic taste and smell on everything i ate or drank or smelled i recently had a seizure at work falling backwards hitting the metalic railing at full force. now i am 6 ft tall and 205 lbs so i lacerated my head in two places you could see my skull i had this bloody metallic taste a lil better than it was in the begining but my smell was the same every colonge that i would use smelled the same to me recently it all came back to me i have not slept in three days not because i dont want to but because i cant . can anyone know what i can do to help this subside if anyone has an answer please e-mail it to me at ***@**** well god bless us all because even though we are defected we are still here so we have to be grateful to a higher power....god bless you all.

[Oorga99]

At 17 I also lost my sense of smell; after a fall backwards from about 5 feet off the ground.  I pretty much did not recall any of the details until days later, after a friend explained the circumstances when I returned home after 2-3 days in the hospital.  This happened around 25 years ago and I still don’t have any sense of smell but I enjoy eating, cooking, etc.  Some years back I met a woman who had a very similar experience at the same age, she never regained her sense of smell either but like me didn’t have any major issues with taste.  If you’re going to lose a sense…smell seems like the best option, particularly living in an inner city neighborhood and routinely traveling by subway and so on.  On a positive note, I’ve noticed over the years that I’m able to concentrate on things better than other people, wafting food smells, etc., do not interfere with my focus  ever: and their even seems to be a potential  ‘6th sense’ component which kicks in at times….   Dan      

[bjsoleil]

Taste and Smell loss how to rise above it....Making the most of your life now
by bjsoleil, 12 minutes ago

Dear Friends that have a loss of taste and smell.  

I have some thoughts that I know will bring you a little peace while working your way through your loss.  I also bumped my head many many years ago.  No taste or smell as yet.  Reading all the above, I hope this message gives you some ideas to make your days and life the best it can be while dealing with our taste and smell challenges.  Safety yes, get a timer, smoke alarms etc...always eat very fresh healthy foods.  Crunch and texture good.  Just think about it, most of us love mexican food....remember when we ate something too "hot".....we couldn't taste it, however, we sure did remember the feel good of that yummie taco when it hit our tummy.

My suggestions are this:

1.  Stop telling your story "I can't taste and smell", poor me I fell down and on and on and on.  Your are only re-confirming of your loss and affirming that it is so.  Drop the story.

2.  Make your own food, have a few small carrots or celery near by with a good sour cream (or whatever) dipping sauce.....and put a little hot sauce in it.  Your getting your daily regiment of veggies, and, your visually satisfying yourself through the food preparation.

3.  Presentation is a part of it....your eyes will tell your brain what it is and your brain will actually remember the taste.  VISUALIZE AND RECALL the taste.  Practice makes perfect.  After 11 years I sometimes think I can taste the food.  Oh and I actually tell myself that I will dream of a gigantic banquet with all my favorite foods and that I can taste is all perfectly.  BELIEVE IT.....I can actually taste and smell in my dreams.

4.  If your loss is recent, get a ton of exercise, listen to good music and read uplifting books like:  Sermon on the Mount, The Four Agreements, Think and Grow Rich, All of Ekhardt Tolle and Maryanne Williams.  The reading and music give me much comfort while taking my focus off what I "don't" have while focusing on this wonderful adventure called life.

5.  If absolutely necessary, and, if you feel that your slipping into depression, get medication to help, but don't lean on it.  Just use to keep you steady while your filling your life with concentration on all the other gifts we have, i.e., Eye Sight, Hearing, and having a beautiful body that works all by itself which in itself is the miracle of all.

6.  BE OF SERVICE.  LOVE YOURSELF, LOVE HUMANITY, STAY INVOLVED, KEEP MOVING.

Please feel free to e-mail me from my website:  www.shiningstarkidsofamerica.org for any support or if I can help with your journey.  I went through all of what many of you are going through now.  There is a light and I would welcome the opportunity to listen and share tales of ways we can make it the best we can with what we have now.

[cheesebuger]

Hey, i fell in practice at a snowboard contest in jan.'11. I had the fractures too. Im going through the same things as you. I cant smell anything and the tastes came for a week and left again. one of the fractures was through My middle ear so the hearing went also. My doctors tell me the exact same **** that only time can tell if it will get better or not. The head trauma has made my outlook change completely and ive deciede f-it. If it doesnt ever come back thats life. At least u are in good physical condition

[cheesebuger]

Hey, i fell in practice at a snowboard contest in jan.'11. I had the fractures too. Im going through the same things as you. I cant smell anything and the tastes came for a week and left again. one of the fractures was through My middle ear so the hearing went also. My doctors tell me the exact same **** that only time can tell if it will get better or not. The head trauma has made my outlook change completely and ive deciede f-it. If it doesnt ever come back thats life. At least u are in good physical condition

[lostit303]

i had a injury 2 years ago and still cant smell or taste its nwo got to the point where it is runining my life i cant stand it any longer i have become addicted to chocloate i use to hate teh stuff but it the only thing tht gives me satifation i cant do it anymore im suffereing more and more every day realy badly i jsut want to break down i have been attending a place called headways which have been good to me but i realy want some more help on this surely somewhere they can help you i went for some tests but the ent said that my sinus are all perfect and you dont have taste on your tongue you taste through your nose great this is no comfort to me i have lost it all yea i am lucky to be here but you dont realise how much you rely on smell i feel a failure now and dont see any lite at the end of this

[Farnsworth]

I just passed the first anniversary of my bad head injury. I still cannot smell and taste is deeply diminished. But from the beginning and to today, I remind myself that I'm lucky that this is all that was lost (the ICU doctors originally told my wife that I "may be in a vegetative state" from then on). We're all very fortunate. So keep looking forward, and remember that many have far, far less than we do. I remind myself regularly.

[SamPCS]

I had a Traumatic Brain Injury about 2 years ago.  Hit the back of my head in Washington D.C. (had a skull fracture according to radiologist and Neuro surgeon said No).  Anyways had brain contusion (brain bleed) in frontal and temporal lobes and a severe concussion followed by Post Concussion Syndrome and still suffering with quite a few symptoms 24/7 dizziness, headache, fatigue, tinnitus etc., and loss of smell and taste.

I was still able to smell some times but all completely different and nasty.  Coffee smelled like garbage, vanilla tasted/smelled something I can't even describe.  Since I was terribly suffering with other symptoms and tried/trying lot of treatments/meds/therapies and I don't want to go in detail.  

But I think in the due process some of the treatments I think may have helped to improve my smell and taste so now I can get the real smell/taste at times especially during the night and keeps changing constantly all through the day.  No idea why.  Could be my sinus playing some role.  But my MRI for sinus is very clear according to ENT.

Treatments:

1.  Neurofeedback ( if you want to try make sure you go to someone who knows how to treat Head Injury.  rare side effects can be seizures etc., Each time after the treatment my bad smell went down significantly.)  

2. HBOT (Not sure how much it helped)

3.  Controlled exerciese (I was doing this for dizziness for the past 4 months but I see some improvement in my smell after I do my exercise)

4.  Vitamins - B6, B12, Folic Acid, Biotin

5.  Weaned off Xanax/Elavil drugs (DON'T DO it without proper consultation or it can be fatal)

Not sure my brain/olfactory system repaired by itself.  I still have ways to go but is manageable compared to 2 years ago where it was horrible.  Each head injury is unique and all of them I mentioned may do no good or some good and will be happy even if it helps one person.  

[Loristarz]

I came across this site while searching the internet for possible medical breakthrough's on TBI and loss of taste and smell. I would like to have surgery to correct this problem if and when the medical field will perform it.
I am a 50 year old Grandmother who had a motorcycle accident over 7 years ago-I was in a coma with multiple skull fractures and damage to the frontal and temporal lobe, with brain bleed. I am currently on SSD and I DO live alone now. I have been through many types of therapy and am currently in physical therapy 3 times a week and massage therapy twice a week.  
I have my depression days feeling lonely. When that happens I go visiting (friends or family)--never, never due to loss of my taste or smell. I have always loved to cook for crowds--I am STILL cooking for my family and my friends, now I have to rely on a cookbook instead of my own senses.
The reason I am looking for surgery to correct this problem is because I would like to start my own catering business-with my own dishes, not cookbooks dishes.
A few of you have mentioned having the "dizzies"-please be patient with me while I try to explain this in the only way I know how" it is possible that your "crystals" have escaped their pouch located in your temporal lobe and cant get back--see your doctor! They can be put back in place-it is called the Epley Maneuver. http://www.positscience.com/lp/2010MHM-TBI/   I had the "dizzies" for over a year after my accident before I was sent for a hearing test-they performed it there! What a relief!!  My cane is still "out" but only used when I walk in the woods now!!
Yes, I have lost my taste and smell, can no longer work, hurt everyday, lost a LOT of friends who dont understand TBI, feel sad on occasion.
  But, I am alive and I thank GOD everyday that it wasnt one of my grandchildren, children, family or friends who have had to go through what I have, Im a survivor as all of you are!!!
  Keep your chin up~Keeping telling yourself that yourself that you are a survivor too!!!
Lori

[SamPCS]

Thanks for the tip and I have also been to many specialists and therapies.  I have seen 3 neuro otologists who specialized in dizziness (went through all the tests 3 times) besides neurologists and tried Epley Maneuver few times and nothing changed.  One doctor even injected steroid shots in my right ear and now I left with a hole and discomfort.  

There are hundreds of reason for dizziness and no one knows where it is coming from.  I don't have vertigo (falling or fainting feeling) and I have constant dizziness from morning to night and gets worse in stores, around people and even my own voice makes me dizzy.  So I cannot visit my friends, relatives, socialize and has to be in a quiet place.  But I still try to mingle and go to stores and push it through and suffer.  My suspect it may be from neck and proceeding that path.  It may be not but I tried vestibular therapy, vision therapy etc., with no success.

As for as smell and taste there is an MD in D.C who just specializes that area.  Taste and Smell clinic in Washington D.C.  Last time I spoke they accept only Medicare/Medicaid.  He even tries Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation if appropriate.  The evaluation process is intense and goes for hours as I was told. http://www.tasteandsmell.com/  At some point I may go if I have enough money to pay for it.

Another thing I like to try is Stem Cell Therapy which is not available in U.S right now but becoming a big industry outside U.S  (China, India, Germany etc.,) and sure for lot of conditions where there is no hope and written off by mainstream doctors, Stem Cell Treatment gives hope and quality of like but still long ways to go as for research and treatment considered.

[Boedy]

  I fell and hit the back of my Head,and it's 7 months with some smell coming back now.Use minerals that promote healthy neurotransmitters,you can find them on the internet.one is taurine.It is important to do everything to promote the health of your the health of stem cells in the the Brain,and believe you will heal..
Doctors do not have a cure...Good luck and God Bless.David

[Rapsqueak]

I lost my taste and smell for 18 months. From a virus, not head injury. GPs and 2 consultants were most unhelpful, always being told you have to accept and live with it.
I wouldnt, and found a fantastic consultant (Dr Nair - Winchester) who prescribed strong antibiotics to clear complete infection of my sinuses, strong steroids for 6 days to reduce complete swelling of all my tissues then x 2 daily nasule low dose sterioids (flixonase) for ever.  I have 100% taste and smell and it took about 2 weeks.  If I stop the steroids my taste/smell gradually goes away after about 3 days.
Just a chance that this may apply to some of you.  
Best of luck.

[Ermac]

Good day...
I hit my head on the door (not really hard). I was wondering If shortness of breath (difficulty in breathing), loss of appetite, weakness are the symptoms of head injury. I am worried because I cannot go to hospital because (we are lack of money). I am experiencing those symptoms after the incident on Saturday night. Please Help. Thank you. Arigatou Gozaimasu!

Jubei

[my3cents]

i too have had an injury sustained that left me without a sense of smell for the past 6 years, fortunately my sense of taste is still present. After reading many posts i realized that there aren't many suggestions posted. so instead of re-confirming what you already know about the woes of this "ailment" i will post my postive experience.

first i had been told that Cranial Sacral Therapy may be able to regenerate the sense of smell. Recently, during a Yoga conference, i went to a booth for a Registered Massage Therapist that provided such therapy, which is re-aligning the bones in the skull. I would have to say that it was an interesting treatment to say the least, where the therapist puts their fingers in your mouth and the release that is felt is actually incredible. I remember closing my eyes before they put their gloves on because i didn't want to know whether they were wearing rubber, nitrile or latex gloves. During the process i would have to say that i could "sense" the therapists rubber gloves. with all things considered the treatment is relatively inexpensive, although i think the treatments would need to be regular and perhaps permanent. I haven't been back to the therapist as of yet, but plan on making regular visits.

Second, learn to meditate. The process of losing a sense can be very traumatic and definitely requires a lot of therapy. Traditional therapy will try to deal with the non-spiritual aspect of it. there is definitely a spiritual aspect to the loss of a sense. I remember in a yoga class during the meditation portion, i was laying there with my eyes closed and the room was silent. the thoughts that went through my head were 1. i can't smell 2. i can't hear 3. i can't see 4. i wasn't being touched by anyone :) 5. i was alone with my thoughts. after pondering this for a few moments i realized that i was alive and to be dead is more than just the sum of the 5 senses that we experience. in order to be "dead" i would have to let go of all the thoughts in my mind, all my insecurities, all my emotions. you see the breathing, seeing, feeling portion of who we are isn't everything we are, though it feels like it when we are living in it. The loss of a sense removes from who we may be, but it should make us more aware and for me it was in understanding other people. The stigma to bad breath was gone, the stigma of body odor was gone, the stigma of seeing others in a negative way from something as simple as the way they smell was gone. From this you learn to transfer that information to the other senses as well. you learn to love people a little more each day, even people you may not have liked before. you see, all this transpired during my meditation process and I felt as though i caught a glimpse of what g-d may see.

I am a relatively happy person, i have my odd moments with this "ailment" (like now, which is why i googled to this website) but no different from anyone else. The secret to dealing with any type of difficulty in life is to deal with what you've got, how ever you can(in a positive way). Just don't go boozing it up.

To all you nay sayers about yoga-this and spirituality-that, i too was once an athiest/agnostic/impartial but you are definitely more than just the sum of your senses. Even if spirituality is not your thing, you must admit that there is a psychological portion of bereavement, being healthy includes the physical and psychological. Deal how you may and may peace be found in your life.

[musiquema]

Dear all,

I am also a sufferer as i had a traumatic head injury (fell with the back of the head, 3m height) last year and i have partial loss of smell (when not distorted) and total distortion as far as my taste is concerned. Does anyone know a good neurologist/neurosurgeon specialized in head injuries in NY city? I live in Greece and I plan to visit NY shortly so I think that it's a good opportunity for me to see a specialized doctor.

[Leslie24]

In December 2010, I had 2 injuries to my skull ( Dx as concussions),1 week apart. The first to the front of my head was more severe. The second was to the back of my head and was at the same time as having the flu. Not until the second injury and recovery from the flu which lasted approx. 5 days, did I notice that I had lost my sense of taste and smell. MRI in Jan 2011 showed damage to the right frontal lobe and cribiform area.
I have no sensation of sweet, sour, or salty and not until April 2011 did a sensation of spiciness (as in hot peppers) gradually begin to return. Starting in the end of May 2011, I now am getting the same odd, highly unpleasant taste, only in varrying degrees of strength, that I can only describe as an artificial flower,chemical taste- in foods that would not taste that way- such as beer, balsamic vinegar, wintergreen mints, blueberries. Yet,  I still  can  not smell anything except one brand of deoderant that has a sickly fake flower/chemical smell that is not pleasant, similar but not as disgusting as the taste I am getting from some foods, or the smell that it claims to be on the package.
Long background, I am sorry, but has anyone else had this happen and is it possible that this is a good sign that maybe it means that one of the nerve "fingers" is starting to regenerate?  I am hoping so because I have to say this taste is worse than not tasting at all.
Is this similar to what anyone else has experienced?
Am I right to be hopeful?

[SamPCS]

I had my TBI around May 2009 and had contusions in temporal and frontal lobes.  I do understand about the unpleasant smell which I had for more than 1 year and now the unpleasant smell is not there and sometimes I get the underlying normal smell I think.  

For some reason my smell gets better in the night.  Weird!  But there should be some reason and Neurologists/ENTs has no clue.

Unpleasant smell is tough each and every time I eat/drink and used to think it is better don't have the smell at all.  But it did improve some what but took more than a year.  All I can say is you can be cautiously optimistic.  

[ljp36]

Hello All,

I lost my taste and smell to a close head injury 19 years ago.  From what I understand if the cell body of the nerve is damaged the nerve will never grow back. If the axon of the nerve was damaged it will grow back very slowly.  However the axon will have to reinsert into the muscle in the exact place it was originally for that particular smell to return.  I can only taste salt if the salt dissolves on my tongue.  I can not taste it in food.  I do not smell anything.  I wanted to post how I have learned to "work around" my lack of taste and smell.  
1.  Date all food that I open (especially the refrigerated things).
2.  Set a timer at all times when I cook (because if I walk away I may get busy doing other things and forget about the food)
3.  Never burn candles or other incense that involves a flame.(same reason as above-too easy to forget)
4.  Use the people around me to smell for me.
5.  Watch other peoples expressions when they are describing something they want me to smell and respond accordingly (sometimes it is just more worth it to fake it than to explain I can not smell)
6.  I have learned to pay attention to the (for lack of better words) atmosphere when I inhale. I have learned to "interpret" the amount and strength of the molecules in the air and associate them with certain things.  For example, when someone is cooking with grease.  When I walk in the room I can inhale and usually associate my location and what I "feel" as I inhale with grease.  I have validated my associations by asking the people around me for confirmation.
7.  I learned to trust my intution.
8.  I am forthright about the fact that I can not taste and smell with my employers as I need to rely on others "noses" for safety reasons.
9.  I have redefined the way I think about food.  I have "warm foods" and "cold foods".  I also eat by texture.  I combine a lot of foods that no tasting person would find acceptable because when mixed together they create an enjoyable meal that has good mouth feel.
10.  I find that most people are very intrigued by my loss of taste and smell.  I also find it difficult for them to understand how I perceive my world of food and taste.  I do the best job I can by answering all of their questions with patience.  
11.  Given up on wearing/buying perfume (as I do not know how much to put on or and can not pick a smell that matches my body chemistry).  I have worn perfume that my significant other at the time picked out-because he liked the way it smelled-I let him spray it on me and then mimicked the amount of squirts to do it myself.
12  I have a long standing rule with the people around me:  If I stink and you do not tell me than it is your fault you have to smell me!  Everyone is really good at accepting this and letting me know if I need to put on deodrant. (Also, I switched to stick deodrant as it is easier to see if I have applied it...if I can't remember.)
13.  I follow all recipes exactly and do not try and very the ingredients (learned this the hard way-as people couldn't eat the food when it was done)

I hope this post is helpful.  I appreciate all that everyone is going thru.  May you find a way to enjoy life without taste and smell.  As I find my experience of life has been enhanced in someways due to the loss of the senses creating a doorway to view the world in a way tasting and smelling individuals can not.    

[Leslie24]

Thank you both for your helpful comments. I guess I just need to let go and remember that it is what it is and just cope. It is just hard because I have a "fixer" personality.

[ljp36]

I would suggest "accepting" the fact that you can't smell or taste as you did before the accident will be the first step in healing the emotional trauma of losing 2 of your senses.  You would probably feel alot less "victimized".  I try and remind myself that playing the role of the victim is the easiest stance to take (on any issue)-and then actively choose to go in the other direction.  Maybe you could use your "fixer" side to "fix" or adjust your life to live without your 2 senses...while you are waiting on a cure!  Good Luck!

[Leslie24]

I have to say that I don't see myself as a victim.  I was sad for about a month and then got over myself. I don't think asking others who have lost their sense of smell and taste questions, trying to learn from what has happened to them, or trying to make things better for yourself is being or acting like a victim. Especially when the doctors seem so lacking in information.

[ljp36]

My sincerest apologies if you felt like my last post was inappropriate for you.  I didn't have any intention to assume how you felt about yourself.  I took your post above about "letting go and coping" to mean that you were having emotional issues from not being able to taste/smell.  Again, I apologize and wish you all the best.  

[mctownse]

I fell and hit the back of my head three weeks ago, resulting in a concussion and a total loss of my sense of smell.  The most frustrating part for me has been the doctors' inability to find anything wrong with me.  An MRI and two CTs found everything to be normal.  But I definitely don't feel "normal."

Although food, flowers, dirty diapers, and everything else, is a blank to me, I sometimes have a weird sensation - kind of like a smell but not a smell.  It reminds me of the time I had my tonsils removed and I could smell/taste the cauterized flesh in my throat.  Am I "smelling" my wound?

I also have been experiencing daily bouts of fatigue - always around lunchtime.  It is a different kind of fatigue than any I have experienced before.  It is like my brain is completely overwhelmed - like my brain has run a marathon, and if I listen to another sound or process another thought I will fall asleep / lose consciousness.  I know this is completely unrelated to this thread, but since many of you have experienced a head injury, is this something that you experienced in the weeks following your injury, as well?

Thank you all for sharing your experiences.

[SamPCS]

I had a mTBI 2+ years and still suffering from many symptoms like dizziness, nausea, headaches, fatigue etc., besides from smell disorder.  Some symptoms gradually improved - smell and taste got better and not perfect.  One symptom I experienced/experiencing at times is fatigue around lunch time but didn't fall asleep etc.,  Losing consciousness/falling asleep needs some thorough investigation.  MRIs doesn't show much for concussions so if you expect anything from the MRI, blood work it can be futile.

Go to some doctor who knows about concussions/mTBI.  Tough to find but keep looking.  There are medicines you can try to relieve symptoms and there is no pill or surgery to cure this condition.  You are only 3 weeks away so you are early in recovery.  In the beginning stages all you should do is rest, rest and more rest.  Doctors didn't tell me that and my symptoms got worse after 5 weeks.

[SamPCS]

Treatment With Theophylline Improves Smell Function When Biochemistry Is The Culprit

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/103209.php

[mctownse]

Thanks for responding.  It is a strange comfort to read about others' symptoms - like a reassurance that I'm not going crazy.

[moss505]

Wow! I wish I had found this site 4 years ago. About 5 yrs. ago I too hit the back of my head,concussion,sub-arachniod hemmoraging .Loss of taste/smell resulting. The neurologists  gave very little importance to this  symptom saying it may or may not come back, ever. Nothing could be done.   Everything tasted like cardboard, I lost 15 lbs. Then the weird phantom smells started I became very depressed thinking about how could I live like this the rest of my life? I realized my attitude needed Big-Time adjusting because I wasn't helping my condition any and would end up on psych meds. The phantom tastes and smells I started to perceive as maybe a good thing. Although they were nausiating at least it was an indication that there was some activity in the nerves,maybe they really trying to regenerate. I refused to harbor the idea that I would  NEVER taste or smell again, I couldn't. People don't realize how important and precious those senses are,that without them I felt apart from the world, encased in a glass jar. Long story short. It is now 5 years later I'd say I have about 80% of smell/taste back.I can (thankfully) live with that.  They started coming back as the phantom smells were really getting bad. Gradually,slowly after 2 yrs maybe 3 I cant be sure I realized I could taste a little bit,same with smell then more and more,but very gradually.
Don't ever believe anyone,doctor or not,who tells you that you will never regain your taste and smell.We are all different .Never give up hope,no matter how long it takes. There really is hope after 1 yr. 3 yrs. or 10. Our bodies heal at their own pace, we can help the healing along by believing in it. Good luck to you all.

[tiffany914]

I have a TBI and my sense of smell and taste were not affected but, many other areas were. I have a friend with a TBI and years later she has never recovered her sense of smell or taste.

[mctownse]

For those of you that lost your sense of smell a while ago, how long did it take you to come to terms with it?  It's been just over a month for me, and I'm trying to focus on the positives, but I'm constantly aware of the missingness of smell - and flavor.  There are times when it makes me incredibly sad.  I'm hoping that I will eventually adjust to my new normal, but how long does it take?

[PakiLegacy]

I suffered a fall and fractured my skull.  I lost my sense of taste, smell, had slurred speech, could not walk or balance myself.  I also lost hearing in one of my ears because the crack in the skull went through the inner ear.

The taste took approximately 3 months to come back.  However, it is still not the same.  I can tell is something is very salty, spicy, sour or sweet but I cannot tell the ingredients in the food.  I can drink juice and tell you if it is sweet or sour but I won't be able to describe the flavor.

I still cannot smell anything 6 months after my fall.  I talked to my ENT and he said that it may or may not come back.  He did mention that you must be able to smell ammonia.  If you do, your smell may come back in a couple of years.

I went home and sniffed ammonia.  Sure enough, I can smell the strong scent of ammonia.  But that is all I can smell.  I tried bleach, cologne lemon, even Indian food but I could not smell a single thing.

Try smelling ammonia but be careful.  It may hurt you if you smell too much.  If you can smell it, and my ENT is correct, your (and mine) smell may come back in a couple of years :)

[Ali1986]

I have the same proplem sinc 2003 I cant smell or taste or injoy any food I just feel to die and realx my self I dont injoyy nothinggggg no drinks no foods thatss make me go crazy I talk to doctors her they said I have to wait they cant do nothingg god help me and if some one know something please tell me

[rita744]

Hello, I had a fall on the ice back in January and hit my head hard on the pavement but didn't have any side effects.  I then had a fall about 5 weeks ago from a step ladder at a height of about 4 foot onto carpet and actually saw stars! I didn't notice a loss of smell or taste for 2 days, but when I did I went to A&E to be checked out, my reflexes were all normal and they told me I would get the senses back in about 2 weeks, well. They heven't and I can't smell anything, but I can taste salty and spicy foods albeit a madras curry tastes mild, I can now also taste the difference between a glass of wine and water.  I work in the NHS for a Dr who is an ENT specialist and he said it is unlikely my senses will come back, I do get days when I say why me? but at the end of the day I still have my other senses and health and am eating a healthly diet because I am aware that I need to eat.  Because I can't smell I am not tempted by the aromas of the chip shop and bakers, I will continue to live in hope, good luck to us all.

[Geddy316]

Similar story for me.  Fell off ladder, hit my head on a rock - mild concussion - CAT scan was fine -  but lost my taste and smell.  It's been about 2 months now and I think I can fool myself sometimes into thinking I can taste.  My tastebuds react differently to foods, especilly salty ones.  But the smell is completely gone.  Last week I splilled some gas on my hand, sure test if my smell would work, and nothing.  My doc and the neurologist said the same thing - may come back may not.  I try to look at the positive and say to myself that it could have been worse - like death or paralysis if I would have landed differently.  I pray regularly for my senses to return, but don't question why.  Whatever God and my savior Jesus have in store for me is something I'll just have to wait and see.  

[oldhippy]

About 11 years ago I was hit by a train. It took a few weeks to wake up. I lost my sense of smell. It would occasionally come back for brief instances. Recently It has been coming back. I'm afraid to call it permanent, but who knows.

[jeannieschultz]

I am a TBI survivor--got whacked in the back of the head a glancing blow by a tree branch in October of 2009.  Spent 6 months in hospitals--had to learn how to walk again.
One lingering side-effect is my sense of taste is altered-I can taste but it's like the savor is lacking. Very few foods taste the same as before my accident.  I can smell, however. Reading
the stories of others here lets me know that I am not imagining that something is amiss with my sense of taste. Oh well.

[jonnynotrees]

It has been 9 months since I slipped on the ice, fell hard, and knocked myself out unconscious.  I spent 3 days in the hospital for observation, as I had a large brain bleed on my frontal lobe. I vaguely remember tasting the hospital food, but did not notice I had lost my sense of smell for several weeks.
In hindsight, I should have noticed I couldn’t smell, but it just didn’t compute. For example, 3 weeks after my injury, I met up with some old college buddies for a trip. We were in smoky bars every night, and every morning I woke up and couldn’t believe I didn’t reek of cigarettes. I obviously did, but just didn’t notice.
I finally realized I couldn’t smell when I was helping a friends kid draw some pictures with those markers that smell like fruit. Myself and the kid kept smelling them, and I told him they were broke. He said they were not. He was right. Also, their dog went doo in the house and I was the only one not running for the door. Then it hit me that I could smell nothing. I immediately took things from the spice cabinets to test myself, and nothing. I was immediately angry.
Since then, I have gone through some strange things with my “smell” (or lack thereof), and taste. For months, I could only “smell” (sense) this horrible “burnt chalk” and everything tasted very metallic.
Every couple of weeks/months, the “smells” change, hard to describe, they are just always morphing into something undesirable & indescribable.  My taste has fluctuated from tasting nothing, to tasting almost everything. I find that meats (red meat, chicken, especially seafood) taste like absolutely nothing. This is frustrating, as I was a meat and potatoes guy.
The most frustrating parts of loss of smell for me (and dangerous), are leaving things on the stove and forgetting them, and not being able to tell they are burning.  Several times my wife has walked in a fully smoked out house, yelling, only to realize I am completely incapable of noticing this.
I also have my first child on the way (due Sept.15) and am very frustrated that I will be unable to tell if a diaper needs to be changed. I can just imagine people looking at me, thinking “what a bad parent – change the damn diaper”. Also, if one more person tells me I am lucky that I won’t have to smell dirty diapers, I may just snap. That is like telling a blind person they are lucky they don’t have to look at something ugly. How fricking rude.
Anyways, I find the more I dwell on these losses of senses, the angrier I get. The problem is, that it is impossible to forget. Every time I eat, every time I drink, every time someone mentions “that smells great (or horrible), even worse – every breath I take, I am dealing with this hell.  And as I am sure many of you know, it is a kind of hell….a hell that no one recognizes, or remembers that your are in.
One up side, the accident/damage could have been worse, and many people have much worse things to deal with. However, until these senses are taken from you, you really don’t realize how important they are, and how much they enrich your life.

[Kelshi]

I am 20, I had a TBI Sept 4th, 2010, almost at my one year mark.  I lost my sense of smell and taste.  I wouldn't say it is completely gone, it is just completely different then what it used to be.  I have the hint or strong things, like coffee, or sweets.  Some things I cannot taste, but I have gotten okay with my loss.  My doctor has also said, it could either come back, or not.  Not many questions can be answered for a TBI, it's just a waiting experience.  I havn't noticed much of a change in my first year, but at least it's not going away.  I am continuing to strive, and I hope everyone does.  

[kleigh460]

Thank-you to everyone who posted here. I never knew the loss of smell and taste is so common. WOW!  My injury was Feb. 2011, one month prior to that I was sick with a cold, then I hit the left side of my head, then in April I was extremely sick with a sinus, lung and throat infection. After that was gone I noticed even more extreme loss of smell and taste. I had ringing in my ears and a extreme headache for 6 weeks. Only on the left side of my head. In July a little bit of smell and taste came back but not too much. Things smell different...especially coffee beans and ground up coffee. I hate it now, used to love it. So weird. I worry that I might have a clot in my brain. I am going to go see a doctor asap.  I wish all of you the best and that your correct smell and taste will return someday soon. Remember the safety issues for people like us...that is really important (I HAVE to always set a timer for cooking now)! take care.

[mctownse]

Hi all,

It's been exactly three months since my head injury.  My PCS symptoms have become less frequent and less severe.  I've had the phantom stink for almost two months.  Mine varies between metallic and a sickly sweet, kind of like really cheap perfume or flowers when they start to rot in a vase.  It was constant at first, but now it fortunately only comes in waves.  I can no longer drink soda or eat chocolate or peppers, as all these taste like metal now.

I'm adapting.  I got "Navigating Smell and Taste Disorders" and found it to be informative and full of recipes for folks like us.  The horseradish potatoes are my favorite so far.

Funny how the information I've read and learned from others with TBI is far more than any of my doctors ever shared with me.  Are they really so uninformed, or do they simply not care enough to take the time to discuss these issues?

And jonnynotrees, I'm right there with you.  I have two young children, and the most common reaction I got when people learned that I'd lost my sense of smell was, "At least you won't have to smell the dirty diapers anymore."  I've been really surprised at the total lack of compassion from some folks.

[Geddy316]

My injury was only 3 months ago and I am too starting to have that wierd ordor - somewhat sweet, but also like something is burning.  Hard to explain b/c I've never smelled anything like it.  I hope it doesn't last because it is annoying.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
The weird smell can be due to concussion. It can also be olfactory hallucination or phantosmia or phantom smell. It is usually due to seizure (temporal lobe epilepsy), or due to schizophrenia or depression or due to an aura of migraine. It can also be due to a problem in olfactory receptor mechanism. This could be due to a smell getting trapped by nasal polyps or tumors. Sinusitis with post nasal drip can cause both a phantom smell and nausea and this should be investigated first by an ENT.  Since it can be something serious, you should be seen by a psychiatrist, ENT specialist and a neurologist. Take care!

[MeMyselfAndi555]

My husband lost his sense of smell and taste 3 years ago when a drunk kid hit him with his car when he was riding his bike. He hit the top back of his head and cracked it. His head was so swollen afterwards in the hospital where he was in a coma for a day. The hospital he was in was the worst in the city, so he got crappy care. They didn't clean the blood out his ears, so it dried and he had to get it out piece by piece for months after. He has been to a couple doctors since then and they all say somehting different. He has gone to acupuncture and had done the herbal teas, but it was way too expensive to continue. He couldn't work for 3 months and lost his job and only got his medical bils paid for by the creep who hit him.
He will try to go back and get more acupucture, but after 3 years it may not work.

[staygold]

I am 44 years old and have had depression for 12 years. Last year I fell down the stairs and fractured my skull. The recovery is slow. I still get headaches and fatigue often but as I wasnt great before I presume it will take longer than for some people. However I have lost my sense of smell and my specialist says it will never come back.I think about it every day and really miss it but realise things could have been so much worse. Unfortunately the knock on incident caused by extreme fatigue and lack of smell is that 2 months after the injury I slept through a house fire and smoke alarms. I am sure the smell of smoke would have alerted me. My little boy, dog and I luckily survived although the fire was 3 floors up. I dont want to cause doom and gloom but urge you all to get smoke alarms change to electric hob and switch off all appliances at night because losing such an important sense can be disasterous. stay safe.

[clara1985]

i lost my sence of smell back in 2008 by falling out of a moving truck. i got two concussions and four contusions.. my baby was only around three months old and it made me soo upset that i couldn't smell the new baby smell and all the good things i was missing out on.. i stopped eating candy and drinking coke cause they tasted like crap.. my taste was messed up awell.. it was only till about three years that i could smell and taste again.. it came slowly but i am glad to say i got it back!!!!

[tatematti2]

Hi! I suffered a TBI in 2006 in a vehicle accident. Frontal and Parietal lobes. I was in a coma 6 weeks. My memory has been affected, organizational skills, and taste and smell. Im a nurse and I have to write everything down which is difficult because my right side is somewhat weak. Very similar to a stroke, does anyone have any comment on that? I feel like I have come very far from where I was but I miss tasting and believe it or not smelling! Any advice?

[rocky2peaches]

I have read your comments about no smell or taste from having a traumatic head injury.  I slipped off of a stool that had wheels on it falling backwards in the kitchen.  I hit the back of my head hearing a cracking sound but did not lose consciousness.  No swelling or pain.   Nothing neurological wrong.  I am a Neuro nurse also. I am just now having problems with no smell or taste.  I have been having it now about six months.  I figured it would sooner or later come back as I have sinus infections frequently.  Now I am having the smell of metallic and taste metallic.  Help me out here

[ausmum22]

Hi All,

My Son received a Brain injury after being attack (Frontal Lobe). It was in 2008 and has lost all sense of smell, as for taste nothing tastes the same as it did. He also gets Vertigo and has a hearing loss of 4% he is only 22 years old and happened when he was 19. He has been told that his hearing will not recover but his taste is still changing and my get better as for the Vertigo they are not sure if that will go.

[Susan92310]

I fell down the stairs on the way to a spin class and ended up in a coma for a month. The worst part of my tbi is that I can't smell or taste. It has been over a year and I am going crazy.  Does anyone know of a specialist in this area?

[SamPCS]

Not sure where you live but there are specialists in big cities all around the world.  One such clinic in Washington D.C. is:
http://www.tasteandsmell.com/

I had a mild TBI 2 and half years ago and since then my smell gradually improved and still improving when most doctors gave up on me.  I did few things and not sure they helped me.

1.  Neurofeedback (immediately after the session I used to smell slightly better).  
2.  Hyberbaric Oxygen Therapy.
3.  B12 supplement every day (for nerve regeneration)

[class70]

i lost my sence off smell in a bike accident 3 years ago . the worst thing about me losing my sence of smell is that i have been a chef for 25 years and its so frustrating not being able to smell , and now im considering acupuncher to see if it works .

[Irene1181]

Hi guys I have a bike accident yesterday december 16 2011 and hit my head to the concrete wall and have some injured  in my body .After that we continue biking about one hour then we stop and i drink water after i drink water i feel  cold entire my body and i cant see anything i feel im falling down then i try to walk its same and i starting vomiting only once.When we come home i take paracetamol cause i feel cold.  I never  go to hospital to check my head until now ,but my feeling now is normal but the pain in my body and especially my head is painful.Any advice thank you.

[Irene1181]

Hi guys I have a bike accident yesterday december 16 2011 and hit my head to the concrete wall and have some injured  in my body .After that we continue biking about one hour then we stop and i drink water after i drink water i feel  cold entire my body and i cant see anything i feel im falling down then i try to walk its same and i starting vomiting only once.When we come home i take paracetamol cause i feel cold.  I never  go to hospital to check my head until now ,but my feeling now is normal but the pain in my body and especially my head is painful.Any advice thank you.

[tifhenning]

I suffered a serious accident May 6, 2010 resulting in 7 cracks in my skull, some loss of hearing in my right ear and full loss of smell and taste.  I have been without smell and taste since the accicedent with no signs of my sences returning.  I also have the "burned/checmical" smell or taste pop up sometimes.  it will last sometimes for minutes, hours or a day in some cases.  I have not been able to pin point what causes the "burn/chemical" taste or smell (I can not figure out if it is more of a taste of a smell) to appear and what makes it go away.... it just comes and goes on its own accord I guess.  I have been seeing a specialist trying to find out if this is going to be a life long problem or if there is anything that can be done to fix this.... Looks like I will be living without 2 of my 5 sences for the remainder of my years.  Could be worse, at least I can see what I can't smell or taset.  

Tif  

[Chefzone]

My wife was in an accident three years ago and also lost her sense of smell and taste, got her taste back after one year, but still no sense of smell, she never had the burnt chemical taste/smell though.  After her accident she went to the hospital by ambulance and the doctor took x-rays and sent her home telling us that there was nothing broken, and gave her pain killers.  Three days later, I took her back to the same hospital and a different doctor took a look at the x-rays that were taken the first time there, three days earlier and saw that she had a cracked skull and a fractured neck.  She was then admitted to a ward where she stayed for three more days before they had to perform a life saving emergency procedure.  This could have been avoided, I think if they just let the pressure off her brain and noticed the fracture.

[lilbit154]

I actually had a concussion after falling on a concrete driveway. I was in and out for about 3 days then when I finally awoke, I smelled and tasted a similar constant, sweet, burning smell. After about 2 weeks, the taste and smell was gone but so were ALL smells. While my sense of taste returned completely, my sense of smell never has. Other than that, I've had no other issues. Not having a sense of smell really isn't too terrible. I do miss some things, but luckily have retained my taste. And no doctors were able to tell me when or what would or would not come back....

[shermere]

I had a serious car accident last year May in which we rolled several times. To this day i dont know how i made it out that car but i now suffer from loss of taste, smell and short term memory loss. I'm trying to stay positive that they will come back but its hard. As they say you dont appreciate what you have till it is gone. A lot of the time it tastes as if someone sprayed a sweet deodarant into my mouth... I look so forward to having a good meal but get dispondent when i cant taste how good it looks... I've tried a lot of cell rebuilding tablets but still no luck... When is it safe to call it quits and accept that i wont be getting these sense back?

[stefandrob]

gosh that is so true - i hate when people say you are lucky not too smell but they dont know  i got knocked over 3 years ago and had a fractured skull and 3 bleeds on my brain - they dont understand we can never smell our oved ones or grandchildren x

[stefandrob]

gosh that is so true - i hate when people say you are lucky not too smell but they dont know  i got knocked over 3 years ago and had a fractured skull and 3 bleeds on my brain - they dont understand we can never smell our oved ones or grandchildren x