1. < Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Loss of smell and taste after head injury

Posted by gwenrn74 @gwenrn74, Jul 28, 2024

I was run over as a pedestrian, by a Toyota Tacoma 8-9 months ago. 3 brain bleeds, skull fracture, scalp laceration, contusions, concussions, double vision, tinnitus, balance and dizziness, plus the aforementioned lack of taste and smell. I used to bake and cook. I guess I also have SIBO and need a low FODMAP diet and be gluten free. There is terrible insomnia, depression, anxiety- esp crossing the street. I've been doing my own smell therapy with essential oils. No luck. Im pretty suicidal at this point, but I have dogs- so Im safe. Is there any hope?

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gwenrn74 | @gwenrn74 | Aug 7, 2024

My neurologist told me, Monday that if the smell and taste doesn't return after or within 3 months, it's NEVER coming back. This is super difficult to live with. I caught the microwave on fire, filled the house up with smoke. Whole house was sooty. Everything tastes like wax paper.
Smell thera[y isn't working. I can't tell if milk or food has turned sour. In June I could smell one type of rose, but not lilacs or other flowers, I had hope. Now, no hope.

I started taking B 12 for nerve regeneration. It's helped my energy.
Isn't there something out there to heal olfactory nerve and cubiform plate ?

REPLY
3 replies
celia16 | @celia16 | Aug 7, 2024
In reply to @gwenrn74 "My neurologist told me, Monday that if the smell and taste doesn't return after or within..." + (show)
@gwenrn74

My neurologist told me, Monday that if the smell and taste doesn't return after or within 3 months, it's NEVER coming back. This is super difficult to live with. I caught the microwave on fire, filled the house up with smoke. Whole house was sooty. Everything tastes like wax paper.
Smell thera[y isn't working. I can't tell if milk or food has turned sour. In June I could smell one type of rose, but not lilacs or other flowers, I had hope. Now, no hope.

I started taking B 12 for nerve regeneration. It's helped my energy.
Isn't there something out there to heal olfactory nerve and cubiform plate ?

Jump to this post

It’s a mystery to me and my neurologist couldn’t provide any promises either. He said give it time. I’m not expecting too much before 6-12 months. I suppose the cause of the smell/taste loss influences how permanent it might be. All I know is that my smell and taste haven improved significantly since I began B12 treatment for a couple of months. I have no proof it’s related, but it sure seems coincidental.

I sure hope there is improvement for you. I will retain my hope indefinitely.

REPLY
1 reply
pml | @pml | Aug 7, 2024
In reply to @gwenrn74 "My neurologist told me, Monday that if the smell and taste doesn't return after or within..." + (show)
@gwenrn74

My neurologist told me, Monday that if the smell and taste doesn't return after or within 3 months, it's NEVER coming back. This is super difficult to live with. I caught the microwave on fire, filled the house up with smoke. Whole house was sooty. Everything tastes like wax paper.
Smell thera[y isn't working. I can't tell if milk or food has turned sour. In June I could smell one type of rose, but not lilacs or other flowers, I had hope. Now, no hope.

I started taking B 12 for nerve regeneration. It's helped my energy.
Isn't there something out there to heal olfactory nerve and cubiform plate ?

Jump to this post

Hi!
There is always hope! God knows all of your needs and smell and taste are two of them. Pray and pray hard that your taste and smell will return. Have faith that they will and prepare to be pleasantly surprised. The B12 is a good thing. Do some research on what foods have a lot of B12 in them and start eating them if you don't already.
Your body has been through a shock and needs all the help it can get!

PML

REPLY
celia16 | @celia16 | Aug 7, 2024
In reply to @celia16 "It’s a mystery to me and my neurologist couldn’t provide any promises either. He said give..." + (show)
@celia16

It’s a mystery to me and my neurologist couldn’t provide any promises either. He said give it time. I’m not expecting too much before 6-12 months. I suppose the cause of the smell/taste loss influences how permanent it might be. All I know is that my smell and taste haven improved significantly since I began B12 treatment for a couple of months. I have no proof it’s related, but it sure seems coincidental.

I sure hope there is improvement for you. I will retain my hope indefinitely.

Jump to this post

CORRECTION to post, My smell/taste HAS improved.

REPLY
1 reply
gwenrn74 | @gwenrn74 | Jan 8 2:52pm
In reply to @gwenrn74 "My neurologist told me, Monday that if the smell and taste doesn't return after or within..." + (show)
@gwenrn74

My neurologist told me, Monday that if the smell and taste doesn't return after or within 3 months, it's NEVER coming back. This is super difficult to live with. I caught the microwave on fire, filled the house up with smoke. Whole house was sooty. Everything tastes like wax paper.
Smell thera[y isn't working. I can't tell if milk or food has turned sour. In June I could smell one type of rose, but not lilacs or other flowers, I had hope. Now, no hope.

I started taking B 12 for nerve regeneration. It's helped my energy.
Isn't there something out there to heal olfactory nerve and cubiform plate ?

Jump to this post

Hi Loss of taste and smellers !

It's Jan 2025, and I'm still without taste and smell. Everything tastes like wax paper OR onions and garlic taste vile, as does coffee. I joined Monell a research group for loss of taste and smell and a support group for the same loss. Thanksgiving was hard, as was Christmas. I am saving money by not eating out. Is there anything else I can do ? I do my own scent therapy by sniffing Essential oils : rose, lemon, cloves, eucalyptus- but peppermint is an odd rotten smell- like toothpaste is horrid, as is the oil in lipsticks. Doe sanyone know why I smell bad, rotten smells after a TBI one year ago ?

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