I lost my sense of smell four years ago. The doctors told me that it is natural and that it is not a sickness

case 0086

I had a severe bout of flu with a very heavy head cold. This was some six months ago and my sense of smell and taste have not returned. I went to the doctor after about a month but the prescribed medication did not help. As a cook of small talent with a nose for fine wine and a moderately convivial palate developed over the years, I would be most grateful for any feedback on how this divine retribution for a lifetime of over indulgence might be reversed. I have lost weight which is good but something of the zest for life is lacking.

case 0087

I lost my sense of smell as a teenager. Initially, I put the anosmia down to having a cold thinking it would reappear within a few days but 21 years later, it still hasn't returned, and I seriously miss it. My sense of taste is perfectly fine, although I did try a taste test where my husband blindfolded me and told me to guess what five sauces he put into my mouth were. I didn't get any of them right, yet I know what chocolate, coffee, lemon and strawberries all taste like with my eyes open. When I was 25 I had surgery to trim away the nasal lining of my nose, but sadly the sense of smell hasn't returned. There is definitely something socially embarrassing about anosmia and there really needs to be more research done into it. What I would give to be able to smell again...There's definitely a feeling of being ashamed because I can't smell and a fear that I myself smell and don't know it. I'm forever using more deodorant, mouthwash, air freshener because I'm so paranoid that I can't smell myself. My husband has to be the one to tell me if I do. I can remember some smells but I truly miss being able to smell things like laundry, flowers, perfume, my husband, bread baking or cooking smells. It made me sad that I couldn't smell the flowers at my own wedding reception. Equally, it's a real pain when I can't smell nasty smells either. The number of times I have to ask my husband if the house or my breath smells okay or he'll tell me that the dog's messed on the floor and I've not realized it, or I've burned toast again because I haven't picked up the first traces of smoke, leaking gas or the smell of sour milk or gone off food. It worries me that one day if I have a baby I'll not be able to bond with it as I've read that the smell of a newborn and mother is supposed to be integral in the bonding process or smell its dirty nappies, although this may be a good thing.

case 0088

Some time in third grade I realized I could not smell anymore. It might have been caused by a playground accident where I hit the top of my head against a bar extremely hard; I remember having the worst nosebleed of my life and feeling extremely disoriented. Interestingly I can occasionally smell things (1-3 times a month) but sometimes I smell odors others assure me are not there. For example I recently smelled strawberries for several minutes though no one else did and I could not find any evidence of strawberries anywhere nearby.

case 0089

Around the time I was 35 I developed allergies and polyps. These were removed by an ear nose and throat doctor and for the first time in three years I could breathe nasally. However I have no sense of smell — I literally cannot smell anything. But there are two exceptions. First, I smell my body odor very acutely and find it disturbing. I constantly wash myself and apply fragrances (although I cannot smell them). Despite these efforts I still smell myself. I worry others smell my body odor as I do. Second, I experience snap shots of smells. For a very brief moment I smell something and comment on it but then within an instance it vanishes. This occurs at odd times, for example if I watch a cooking show on TV I will sometimes smell the cake being removed from the oven. I know this is not possible and put it down to an olfactory mirage or memory. The experience is vivid and enjoyable.

case 0090

My sense of smell is really bad; it always has been. However, I was burning hand sanitizer one day and I could suddenly smell really well for a few days. I have done this a few times now and the result is always the same.

case 0091

I am unable to smell or taste food! I did not realize how miserable it is not to be able to smell odors or taste food. One of life's greatest pleasure is being able eat a great tasting meal. Taste and smell is two of the five senses of the human body! I have felt like I am just existing and not really living! I would, if given a choice, rather have this than to lose my sight or hearing or sense of touch. I seem to get glimpses of smell every now and then as well as taste. Even foul smells would be welcome. Do I sound desperate? It's because I am!

case 0092

I lost my sense of smell when I had a brain injury two years ago. I want it back so much that I cry sometimes. I get bad tastes in my mouth too, especially after sleeping.

case 0093

I don't remember when I lost my sense of smell. But I remember that even when I was 13 years old, I could not smell. Sometimes it's hard for me, when I wake up and want to go to work, I don't know how my clothes smell. But I deal with this by changing my clothes regularly and showering daily. I have no major limitations. My condition does not bother me. If it could be cured, I would not do it. I enjoy my anosmia. Sometimes my friends say to me "it stinks here" and I say "I've noticed, the air is warm and I breathe more heavily".

case 0094

Usually in the middle of the night, I smell something burning and I have to see if the house is on fire. I also smell brewing coffee. I always think my husband woke up real early to make it but that never turns out to be the case. I also have been smelling a sweet burnt smell on my body but if I put my nose to it there is no scent. My husband smells nothing. I'm not crazy.

case 0095

A few days after my prostectomy surgery I realized a clear change in my ability to smell and taste specific odors. I started to find citrus odors (orange, lemon, and grapefruit) very distasteful. I also found what used to be my favorite beer distasteful and switched from Pepsi to Coke. I could no longer smell distasteful locker-room odors. However, over the last five years some of my smell and taste abilities have slightly recovered.