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Sense of smell and taste returned after 3.5 years
Just for those who were in my same boat...I'm a fireman, I lost my smell and taste on November 21, 2021 during covid. My smell and taste returned abruptly on May 09, 2025. I pretty much had near zero smell or taste from the above mentioned date. What was strange is i could smell the chlorine in city water, which my peers couldn't smell. And lettuce had a stong lettuce smell. Other then that, I could not smell structure fire, decay, or anything else. The morning of May 9th 2025 whilst setting up an agility test I smelled grass. After the testing I immediately came to the kitchen and could smell everything in the fridge, coffee, ect..so anyone who has not had their senses return, I just wanted to share my story to let you know there's still hope. God bless
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I did daily scent re-training for about 5 months. I started realizing that my appetite was stronger. I enjoyed the food more. Then, I returned to the ENT and took the smell tests (booklets you scratch and sniff and identify. I did really well on that test. So, no doubt I had recovered.
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3 ReactionsI find that I cannot taste or smell in the mornings. I also do not feel temperature in the mornings. It is frustrating but I have gotten used to it. I am going to try the essential oils. I have some peppermint. I did not think of that and it is a great suggestion. My hope is we all get our senses back and this virus leaves our bodies. I will say that I also find that I feel better, physically, if I stay away from salt and sugar. The problem with eating healthy is sometimes I find I do not feel like cooking as I am fatigued at night once I have done what I have to do during the day. I want to talk to my doctor about anti-viral medications. I know that EBV plays a role in this. Anyone tried any anti-virals for Long COVID?
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3 Reactions@diverdown1 , I eat a consistently healthy diet. I often cook my protein in advance and freeze it for later in the week.
I wish I had an antiviral right now. This weekend I got a terrible upper respiratory infection. Tested negative for flu and covid but man! It’s brutal. Much worse than my last flu in 2019 and covid in 2023. Unbelievable. My immunity must be robust, or else I’d be in the hospital.
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1 Reaction@celia16 sorry to hear youre not feeling well, and right at Christmas! Something recently went through our fire department. Symptoms were similar to bronchitis followed by about 10 days of wheezing. Seemed strange to feel completely normal yet have audible wheezes. The people that went to the doc were given albuterol prn and cough pearls. Hope you get well soon. Merry Christmas
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1 Reaction@firemanmono , thank you! I keep hoping to get on the other side of things with this virus. Slightly better, but not up to attending festivities. So, I’m resting and planning on a short appearance tomorrow with a good mask. No fever since yesterday, but man do I feel zapped! Man, this thing has really humbled me. I got the prescription cough syrup and have used it.
I’m so happy for you! That is just great. Happy New Year!
Does that mean that food tastes good again?
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4 Reactions@happyyaya Thank you, and yes!! For the most part, food tastes pretty incredible. I spent 3 years grocery shopping every 2 days due to not being able to taste if my food went bad or not 😉 I no longer drink coffee, but coffee and mustard have a strange scent to them now. Other then that, most tastes and smells incredible! Happy new year to you
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