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!

[Leslie24]

To those with recent injuries and loss of smell and thus taste.... Hang in there and explore possibilities.  I lost mine 2 years ago from 2 TBIs a week apart (be careful with your balance) and have not given up hope that one day it will return. Until then, I am trying different things to try to help restore smell/taste. I take a lot of Vitamin Bs because it is good for nerve regrowth-hasn't woked yet- but who knows maybe it will work for you. I also discovered studies where rats supposedly had their sense of smell returned (nerve regrowth) by steroid injections into the nasal area. My doctor would not do it to me but gave me steroidal nasal spray.  It seemed to help me slightly with trigeminal nerve tastes (spicy, sweet,salty,sour) but not with olfactory nerve tastes. Of course it may have been psychosomatic.  And I say that it seemed to help- not that I could tell at the time- but only after using it foir about 6 months and stopping- I noticed that I had to use more salt and sweetner to even get a slight sensation of them.
Learn to appreciate texture and temperature.
Being pro-active helps you cope with the loss.
Hang in there. Hope this helps.

[DCRIDES]

  I lost my sense of smell after a concussion, three bleeds frontal lobe. I still have 99% of my ability to taste but still struggle with smell. Its been 7 years now and still a flash of something or just a memory of a sent toys with me. My girlfriend gives me different things to try to smell all the time. We do this in hope that by stimulating that part of the brain may kickstart it. I would love any suggestions or storys. Good luck to all.

[scott39588]

Hi kinder ,  I got very depressed with the loss of my smell / taste. No one could undertsand what i was going thew .I Also smelt a burning rubber during the first 4  to 6 months of my injury. I was walking my dog 3 years on the 19th dec when i sliped on the ice and hit the back of my head. My sence of taste is now with salt and sugar but still no smell . I have not lost any weight as i`m trying all foods to see if i can taste any. If there was any way of improving my senses i would jump at th chance

[bummer666]

It's been 3 months since my skull fracture. I was excited about the fact that everything started smelling and tasting like burnt hair and chili powder because it made me think I was starting to get my smell and taste back. The only thing that tastes like it should is minty gum. I'm not the type to dwell in self pitty... But THIS *****!!! It's really taking a toll on my ability to enjoy life. The few things I enjoy in this life, like cooking, eating, the smell of christmas trees, is all gone. FML!

[kinder315]

i am glad to have found a group i have been in search everywhere i need help i am so depressed and i cant handle this i fell on my head and since then i have not been able to smell or taste i am just willing to go and lose weight and never eat again i cant handle this it will be a year in decemeber and i have not regain it back

[kinder315]

omg i am right behind you i fell last december and since then i have lost my senses i am so depressed i have been trying to find support groups but i cant get any help there is nothing out there and no one could help i have gone to so many ents and neuros and all they have done is give me vitamons, steriods, and tell me i lost scar tissue in that area and it needs to be built up and its all i hear i keep hating myself for going out that day i went to throw away some food i did not want from when i went out to eat and i thew up fell and lost my balance can we keep in touch i need a group to talk to