Parosmia

[Tuesando]

Following autoimmune encephalitis 1 year ago, my partner suffers terribly with parosmia- i.e. that otherwise pleasant odours smell rancid and foul. Most foods smell awful which makes eating hard. Has anybody suffer similarly and, if so, how did you treat it? We have started using AbScent’s ‘four jar training set’. Anything else? Any good therapists out there?

[EncephInternational Partner]

Thank you for your question Tuesando, I wonder if Fifth Sense (a UK based charity supporting people with smell and taste disorders across the world) might have some useful resources? fifthsense.org.uk/letstalks... The Encephalitis Society's support team are also here for you both - you can reach us on [e-mail] any time you have a question, we're always happy to help.

[Tuesando in reply to EncephInternational]

Thanks a million. We will check them out. We have not come across them.

[Gandalf2]

Hi Tues, I had the same issue on leaving hospital. Food tasted OK on the ward but once I got home it was a different story. Rancid and foul, had to just get my head down and swallow. Simple foods tasted best rather than big meals with complex tastes. Keep to snack size food portions with fairly bland tastes. A couple of potatoes, salads, half a pie, a banana etc. Then one morning everything was fine and it's been OK ever since. It's all a bit psychological, mental and hard to figure out. but I would not worry too much. Relax and enjoy your recovery/convalescence and see how it turns out. You may now have special powers and be able to solve crimes etc.! Gandy2

[Tuesando in reply to Gandalf2]

I look forward to that day. Thanks