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 0672

I had the occasional loss of smell with colds and congestion. In the last few months I have noted a continual loss of all smell. I can't even smell solvents or any foods.

case 0673

Last month I got a severe upper respiratory virus. I noticed odd smells and tastes. Later it became apparent that I had completely lost my sense of smell. It appears I can kind of sense the alcohol in say, my cologne, but not the smell of the cologne, nor any foods. I have had many respiratory viruses and have never lost my sense of smell before. I previously had a very acute sense of smell.

case 0674

I had a long-lasting bad cold. After it cleared up I realized I could no longer smell anything except a single peculiar odor, rather like rotten peanuts soaked in vinegar. Everything smelled like this in varying intensities: fresh-baked bread, cat food, mown grass, gasoline — all just the same. Only a very few powerful smells, like menthol, are still partially recognizable through the masking odor. My sense of taste is also very diminished. Very salty, very spicy, very sweet still gets through, but no nuance, and certain things, like apples, now have a foul taste to me. It's a real drag! And according to my ear nose throat doctor there is a very poor prognosis for recovery.

case 0675

Last winter I used hot salty steam. I covered my head with a towel and inhaled the hot salty vapors. The very hot vapors caused damage to my sense of smell.

case 0676

About two years ago I noticed that while I was cooking people commented on the smell but I couldn't smell anything. That's when I realized I couldn't smell anymore. I still can taste things like sweet, sour, bitter, salty, but if I was blindfolded and you ask me what I was eating I had no idea.

case 0677

I lost my sense of taste and smell after a bout of flu. A specialist told me that there is nothing he can do. I don't appear to be congested and can breathe through my nose normally.

case 0678

I first became aware of phantom smells about three years ago when I would suddenly get a very strong whiff of burning paper. This was so strong and persistent that I would often get up at night and search for the source, certain that something was burning. This varied in intensity, but never went away. Later the smells took on differing characteristics running the gamut from the odor of fresh baked cinnamon buns to fetid swamp smells. As I write, I'm being plagued by the smell of car exhaust. These are not slight odors. In fact, they are sufficient to wake me from a deep sleep.

case 0679

I am an anosmia patient. I have consulted many ear nose throat specialists and homeopathic doctors. But no one was able to detect the reason for my anosmia. They had given me a lot of medicines, nasal sprays etc. but there is no detectable change in my condition.

case 0680

As long as I can remember I haven't been able to smell. It's not a problem for me, and it has never been. I live with my parents now, and I hope that I won't let the house burn down when I'll live on my own.

case 0681

At the age of 21 I felt that I had a bad sense of smell. It gradually became worse. I consulted various doctors. A growth inside my nose was removed by endoscopic surgery. This did not improve my sense of smell. Now my sense of smell is completely gone. I can't smell anything. I can't even identify the flavor of tea and coffee.

case 0682

I lost my sense of smell and taste during a very bad cold. My smell is very different now, very strong and sickening, if I smell at all

case 0683

I have never experienced or perceived any smells, good or bad, from food or from other sources.

case 0684

I completely lost my sense of smell after rhinoplasty ten years ago. I also have frequent phantosmia.

case 0685

To my knowledge I have never been able to smell. My parents assert that I was able to smell at a very young age but I have no memory of that. Early in elementary school I realized through interactions with classmates that I in fact was missing out entirely on the sense of smell. My parents never took me seriously until about the age of 11, at which point I made several visits to an ear nose throat doctor. I was told that a diagnosis would be unlikely as there could have been many causes for either congenital anosmia or loss as an infant. Now as an adult I am again seeking to investigate my nose problem and hope to receive better treatment. Doctors always seem skeptical at first that I have absolutely no sense of smell.

case 0686

I was born without a sense of smell. I noticed around the age of five that other people my age did perceive things to have a scent, and I pretended until I was around 13 that I could smell, as I didn't want to be abnormal. It worries me a little bit that I won't be able to smell if there is a fire or gas leak, or if food smells bad, or is on fire in the oven.

case 0687

I had a moderately severe sinus infection at age 35, and even when all other symptoms had gone, I still had no sense of smell. After a month or so, it began to return gradually over a span of several months. At first, everything had a strange burnt smell. Then, the smells were different, but weren't right... Something like roasted chicken would smell different than steak, but neither food smelled the way my brain remembered it should. After a few months of this, I was finally able to smell most things correctly, but there were still some odors (ammonia, for one) that were completely non-existent. Three years later I've had another sinusitis episode, and am back to the "burnt" smells stage. I imagine the recovery of my ability to smell will follow a similar pattern.