Post-COVID-19 Research at Mayo Clinic

Any help on getting the sense of taste and smell back? It may seems minor but I want food to taste like food again. It has been 1.25 years and not much improvement. I can hardly taste sweet or salt and bitter or acidic is overpowering.

@kaswick2 - Oh, I'm so sorry that your taste and sense of smell haven't returned. That's just awful. I've had colds when this has happened and I wouldn't wish for it again. Unfortunately, no one knows at this point.

https://medical.mit.edu/covid-19-updates/2021/01/when-will-my-smell-and-taste-return
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/05/08/994471949/will-my-sense-of-smell-ever-return-olfactory-insights-from-covid-and-beyond
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/can-t-smell-or-taste-after-covid-19-olfactory-training-could-help-1.5426146

Hopefully, in the near future, we will have some answers. There is some evidence in its early stages that olfactory training can help. Have you heard about this?

If someone is interested in participating in this research study, where should they send the requested information via email?

Hi Cara,
Please visit Mayo Clinic's clinical trials website here: https://www.mayo.edu/research/clinical-trials
On the website you'll find contact information, including a phone number and online submission form.

Here is a list of current COVID-19 related trials being conducted at Mayo Clinic https://www.mayo.edu/research/clinical-trials/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-(covid-19)

Do you have post-COVID syndrome?

My husband does, and he is willing to participate, and hopefully, through research, they may find a solution for him.

If you are interested in becoming involved in post-COVID-19 research at Mayo Clinic, please email us a message at postCovidRSCH@mayo.edu and include your name, address, telephone number, and symptoms experiencing. 

Same here. I can taste “categories” but not actual flavors. As far as smell goes, I either can’t smell anything, it smells weird and not what it actually smells like, every now and then I can smell something and it will be overpowering like it is stuffed up my nose or it is “muted” like sound when you have earplugs in. It is disheartening that it has been almost 18 months of this.

I have had the same problem, like I can't tast sweet but not what kind, and salt, but everything else is like blah. Its only been 7 months for me but sure wish it would come back

Hello,
My name is Elaine. I had COVID-19 back in February of 2022. Around the end of March, I began to have symptoms of perfuse sweating like getting out of a pool sweating, shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitations. My heart would begin beating so hard it felt like butterflies getting ready to jump out of my chest. My heart ranged from 90 to 170 depending on my activity. I would get tunnel vision and ears ringing and felt like I was going to pass out. I had these symptoms 3 to 5 times a week and no certain time. I had no warning. I chalked it up to my stressful job. I finally told my mom a cardiac nurse for 33 years and she immediately took me to an urgent care. The doctor did an ECG and it was normal. The doctor felt it was anxiety and started Hydralazine. My mom encouraged me to find another job because the stress was affecting my health. I did find a new job that was a blessing and no stress. My mom grilled me with questions such as are you worried about finances, school for my masters, boyfriend, and I was not worried about anything. I did not feel stressed anymore. I am a personal trainer, and I could not tolerate any exercising. When I tried, my heart would start pounding and I was short of breath. The first of June I had an appointment with my PCP. When I told her my symptoms. She ordered a cardiology referral and 48 hour heart monitor and tons of lab work. I saw the cardiologist and he ordered a stress test (I failed), 30 day monitor, echocardiogram, and a CT angiogram. All the test results back normal. Both the PCP and the cardiologist told me if I had another episode to the emergency room. The ED doctor did nothing. Next morning, I called my cardiologist, and he started metoprolol 25 mg a day. I did not tolerate the mediation. My heart rate went from low 100’s to the forty’s. I had a follow-up with my PCP, and she told me to try taking half in the morning and half in the evening. It took weeks, but I was finally able to tolerate the mediation. The medication helped my heart rate and chest pain, but the other symptoms remained. The cardiologist gave a diagnosis of IST because he said my symptoms were not reliably consistent with post COVID POTS. I recently had a follow-up visit with my PCP. She felt I needed a second opinion. She referred me to University of Virginia cardiologist. The cardiologist said there was nothing he could do and to search for a long haul COVID specialist. I am at my wits end. I am 23 years old, and this is debilitating. I need help! I cannot live like this. When I have an episode, I am wiped out and it takes me a day to recover. These episodes last to an hour to two or a4 hours. The metoprolol is not working any more. My heart rate per my apple watch is anywhere from low nineties to 120’s with no activity. My PCP ordered hormone tests and they were negative. This is obviously and sympathetic or parasympathetic issue. My mom and I have no clue what to do or turn to. Any help is appreciated. I feel like I keep getting passed around by these specialists.
JEM

Wow you have been through ALOT! Thankfully all your tests are normal. I suspect you were in great shape prior to the Covid infection and your body was strong so therefore it sounds like you have no damage done to your heart etc. I found the article from Mayo clinic titled” how to talk to your doctor about your long Covid symptoms “ very helpful. I hope you get connected with a long haul Covid clinic to help get yourself feeling better finally.