Head trauma causes loss of smell/taste

[brittanyf]

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!

[al143]

I got hit in the head back in Nov 2012, now when I watch TV I smell the things they show. Like food, Cut grass! And other things!! It's been really Weird! My wife says I have smell a vision!! What am I going through??

[daynep12]

I want to start off by saying i am so glad everyone here is communicating about their problems.  I read through every post and i'm happy to see i'm not the only one.  I fell off the side of an embankment and landed on the back of my head.  There was no skull fracture just a major concussion of which I could not walk for 2 days, and frequently threw up.

The next day my girl friend cooked breakfast (with bacon), and to my disgust... i could NOT taste or smell my favorite savory food. :( :( :(, it was at this point i knew I had a problem!

One thing no one has talked about is a CHANGE in smell. After my injury I had the same smell for about 4 months, it has almost consistently changed once a month (smell only)....

Does anyone else experience this? I'm not sure if its my brain healing or something worse as I have not had an MRI.

Thanks!

[pam150]

Thanks for responding!  And yes, you are so right about when people who do not understand say silly things like, try this, smell this, it gets very annoying.  I even have a friend who keeps telling me that not having a smell or taste is a good diet plan!  I couldn't believe that.  I know that she truly does not understand and I just shrug it off.  

I appreciate all your good thoughts and tips.  I do try to keep positive and hope one day I will wake up and things will be back.  I know that I am still healing and it does take time.  

Thank you again and you take care as welll..  

[Jacinda72]

Hi Pam...some days are harder. Especially when people are either accosted by a bad smell and ask automatically....DID YOU SMELL THAT? Or here, smell my new perfume....or doesn't that meal smell wonderful? I usually respond with humor and tell them they are an insensitive boob.

I think my hubby has it hardest as he loves to cook and try new things, or asks me what I want for supper. But the cravings are gone without taste. I don't really care what I eat. And there is no reaction to his latest creation from me so it is hard for those closest to us. So tell me was the Jambayla too spicy? Do you also find some spicy food that makes people sweat,  actually tastes sweet?

I always say, our bodies are magical and will repair themselves in time. We just have to not give up hope.

I was hit by a wanna be Lance Armstrong cyclist while out walking my dogs. I was thrown out of my shoes as he hit me head on and my head hit the pavement. Blacked out, convulsed based on my hubby who was ten feet away. Prognosis was concussion, TBI, C1 and C2 fractures, stitches to my head, brain bleeding that stopped and no surgery was required either...thank you Batman for small favors. I was in a oh so lovely neck brace for 8 weeks.....no balance,,,,took physio to help with that. It's been a ride. I am at the 13 month mark and even though I still have some short term memory issues and balance issues the one thing that hurts the most is my lack of smell.

I feel where you are at and just know that sometimes life deals us a crappy hand....what we do with it makes the difference. So if a dark cloud is surrounding your world.....visualize white light and see it penetrating through your head and body. Ok....so some say I am a bit of a witch....but I do believe we can heal ourselves. We just need to embrace what this experience entered our lives for.

Take care of you Pam.

[pam150]

I just read your post Jacinda and had to laugh.  There is a "positive" in ways with this not being able to smell or taste.  I made Jambayla for my husband today and he likes it very very spicy.  I prepared it and he came downstairs and made the comment that it smelled wonderful and couldn't wait to eat!  I didn't smell a thing, even when I put my face in the pot!  He has been very very supportive and feels bad about me not being able to smell or taste.  It has been nearly 7 months now for me and it keeps going from having very weird tastes (soapy taste, chemical taste and a very very annoying burnt smell.  Almost to the point to where I wish I had NO taste at all.  I am scheduled to go to the Smell and Taste center in Philadelphia near the end of the year.  I have read quite a bit about the Dr. who heads up the program there.  Dr. Richard Doty.  My Neurologist and ENT here do not thing I will ever regain my sense back. I have good days and bad days, but am starting to get more depressed about it.  I had a fall and was in ICU for 5 nights.  Diagnosed with TBI and fractured my skull.  I fell forward and then went straight back to the floor.  Had brain bleeding and luckily did not have to have surgery.  All in all, I am so fortunate that it wasn't worse.

[Jacinda72]

TBI....silly rabbit I am.