Loss of sense of taste and smell

I feel fortunate to have lost my sense of smell but not taste. I eat more food with strong flavours so maybe taste was affected as well.
Like everyone else - a virus then covid the cause. I’m also more easily short of breath since Covid 18 months ago

I lost my sense of smell ,must be a couple of years ago, I love perfume, but I can't smell it now, I wonder if it's something that happens as you get older.

I lost my sense of taste and smell early in the ‘covid’ years when I had covid. I agree how miserable it is. I remember cooking for the family at Christmas and cried because I’d lost the ability to smell and taste the lovely spicy, citrus scents that surrounded me. I also make my own bread and could not taste or smell it. I lost weight, I ate because I had to.

Then, after a few years I needed sinus surgery, not because of loss of smell but I found it difficult to breathe through my nose and the congestion was nasty. I was warned that I probably wouldn’t get my sense of smell/taste back. Gradually, since then some sense of smell (and taste) has returned. It has taken 5 years and isn’t as good as it used to be but I treasure the ability to smell and taste again. I’m not sure how much the sinus surgery helped and my recovery was slow.

At the time, I was advised to try ‘smell training’ - regularly sniffing small bottles containing various fresh herbs, freshly ground coffee etc. Then, some weeks later, I woke up one morning and thought I could smell the freshly baked bread - faint but yes, definitely I could smell it and taste it.

I don’t often post but I wanted fellow sufferers to know that at least one of us has managed to regain some sense of taste and smell. I hope it happens for all of you who have lost it.

SueDomin
You do get used to it. The only thing I miss is perfume, my jasmine and Lillie’s in the garden.
A lot of people are dealing with a lot worse.

I have not been able to smell or taste for many years, but around six years ago I suddenly smelt cigarette smoke. I live on my own and don't smoke, nor any visitors. Over the next few months I began to smell many different odours that were not recognisable, had an MRI scan which didn't lead anywhere, and was told it was a condition called phantasomia. It comes and goes and can be nauseating, fortunately it seems to have disappeared but I cannot taste or smell (resulting in many burnt saucepans), and tasteless meals. Apparently due to either a problem in the nose ( peripheral phantasomia) or the brain and nervous system ( central phantasomia). I have heard of several cases following Covid.

I lost my sense of taste and smell when I had a virus around the start of Covid, March 2020. There was no testing then so who knows what I had? It came back partially but has also disappeared again at times, with or without cold/flu/covid symptoms. It’s never come back fully unfortunately, but to have no sense of taste or smell must be awful.

Yes. I lost my senses of taste and smell after what I thought must have been Covid in March of last year. After a few months I could differentiate between sweet and savoury tastes but no sense of smell. After another month or so I could tell if there was a smell but not what it was, just a revolting smell that (sorry) I can only describe as sick and smoky vinegar, absolutely gross.
I was referred by my wonderful GP to a specialist and had CT and MRI scans to rule out a brain tumour and nerve damage. So I was then signed off as it seems there is nothing else that can be done.
I’m still the same now 14 months on and sometimes get really upset about it but there’s nothing to be done so I try to be as positive as I can and concentrate on what I can do. But there’s no getting away from the fact that I am lacking two senses. In fact I’d prefer to still not be able to smell anything rather than the smell I now get. I don’t think after all this time that anything will change.
Personally I would save your money, I can’t think going private would make any difference to the outcome.

petra

MissA
I can’t eat curry now as it tastes like metal.

Exactly what the two ladies say!
It sounds similar to the affect chemo has on some people's taste buds.

Up until a couple of years ago I could remember smells but that’s gone now.

My friend (a wonderful cook) lost her sense of taste and smell a few years ago and has just dropped in weight, as she’s no longer really interested in eating. It’s had a profound effect on her life. I think it has come back a little, but not fully. If you are referred and they are able to help, please let us know on here and I will pass the information on to her.

MissA
I can’t eat curry now as it tastes like metal.

I know that link says volunteers wanted but that was in 2024.

I lost mine in late 2019. That was when we had no idea what was coming.
I wouldn’t waste my money or time with the NHS or private.
Nottingham University has been working on a cure since 2024.
I read an up date on the work a few days ago: they are still working on a cure.

www.nottingham.ac.uk/news/volunteers-needed-for-chewing-gum-study-to-help-regain-lost-smell-and-taste

I know two people, who were working together last christmas, both got a virus that was awful, and neither can smell or taste since.

They are just putting up with it, as gp isn't keen to refet them to anyone, but it's had a huge impact on them.

One has said in the last couple of weeks that ahe now does occasionally smell sonething, but the smell is horrible, too.

Another lady i know spent 15 years going to a homeopathic hospital to try and sort out her sense of smell, but they never could.