My ENT just felt the covid virus attacked my olfactory nerve. He admits not much is known about it. It’s not considered a life changing condition apparently. It should! He was hopeful things would resolve, but not very optimistic. No real recommendations. It was my Primary who suggested scent retraining. I did that for months and it’s the only thing I can think of that might have helped my sense of smell return.

My neurologist thought my B12 deficiency might have caused it. Some B12 damage is reversible, some is not.

I believe that doctors don’t pursue the cause of the taste disorder since there is no known treatment. So even if we know why we have it…..there is nothing we can do about it. My first neurologist just looked at me and said….taste issue….that’s very difficult. Like…no hope.

I’ll also share this. I’ve posted it once before somewhere on this site. Long story, but….. The doctors don’t seem to think it’s relevant, but I’m not so sure. And, does it really matter? I can’t shake it.
Before my bad taste hit….several weeks previous….i used an antifungal shampoo. My dermatologist had diagnosed me with tinea versicolor on my neck. White spots. I had treated it with prescribed cream and it disappeared in 2 days. But, I wanted to treat my scalp, just in case, so she called in the body wash/shampoo. As I applied it to my scalp, I got this terrible taste in my mouth….almost like the shampoo….but it wasn’t in my mouth. I thought that was odd. I rinsed it out. Then it went away. The next week I used it in the shower on my body and same thing happened. Odd. Fast forward to a couple of weeks later. I applied it to a spot on my ankle, rinsed it off. Then within the hour went to urgent care for a suspected uti. They prescribed an antibiotic and I took it quickly within the hour. As I was driving in my car the overwhelming metallic taste hit my entire mouth. It was so terrible, I pulled over and called the doctor for instructions because it was intolerable. They said that bad taste with antibiotic was not uncommon. Keep taking it, it would go away. My good friend agreed. Said it had happened to her before. So, I took another one later that night. Taste continued to be horrible. Doctor called me the next day and said stop taking it. No UTI on culture. But, the metallic taste continued. Later turned bitter. Now more of a salty taste. So, that’s my story. How does it fit? Was it coincidental with the covid? And does it even matter since there’s no way to treat it? I have no idea.

I sure hope we all can get relief.