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Loss of Taste and Smell from Covid or something else?
Autoimmune Diseases | Last Active: Aug 27 11:55am | Replies (34)Comment receiving replies
I would definitely get your vitamin levels checked, specifically B12 before you take any. After you take it, the results are what’s in your system, but not body, my doctor says. There’s a tribe of people who suffer with the deficiency. Can find online.
Your story is tragic. Most people don’t realize how distressing smell/taste disorders can be. It’s something that I never imagined would happen to me. And, this bitter taste could be permanent! I just don’t know what lies ahead. Please keep the faith though. It may return.
Prior to my taste/smell disorder appearing, I also had received several dental procedures….root canal, wisdom tooth extraction and a bone graft. Discussed that with my ENT. AND, I had taken an antibiotic the day I got the strong metallic (later turned bitter) . As well as used a topical antifungal.
So, there are many potential culprits.
The reason I suspect the B12 is that I’ve improved since taking it. My digestion has also improved. And, my foot numbness is less. My neurologist says it may take 12 months or longer to see significant improvement. (I also had hair loss and skin rashes. Also attributed to covid and/or B12 deficiencies. Which or both? Hmmmm…..
Oh, about the same time, I also used to have a phantom smell. It appeared out of nowhere…was like fabric softener, except I don’t use any. It scared me.
Thank goodness I still enjoy my coffee and food. Love my coffee!😍
What are your next steps?
Replies to "I would definitely get your vitamin levels checked, specifically B12 before you take any. After you..."
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At this point…..next steps are limited to simply putting one foot in front of the other 🙃!
I had never thought of having my B12 levels tested (didn’t know it was a thing!) — but gosh, it might yield some clues. Unfortunately, none of my current doctors is at all nutritionally oriented, they all go by the traditional medical playbook. (My rheumatologist even resisted having my Vitamin D levels checked!)
I know, I know, time to find some new docs! Would you recommend any home testing kits?
Curious thing about that dental work you had. The mouth is the gateway to the immune system. My autoimmune disease seems to have been kickstarted by a bad root canal infection several years ago and there is a link to dental issues and the Vagus Nerve. Among many other functions, the Vagus Nerve also plays a role in taste! So I was intrigued by the work of Dr. Mikolaj Raszek of Merogenomics on YT. He has posted on the use of a Vagus nerve neuromodulator in Long Covid and its successful treatment of brain fog, fatigue, anxiety and depression in women — but alas, no effect on the loss of taste or smell. Back to square one.