I have been on Pregabalin since June of this year and since about it September/October, I have noticed my smell and taste change significantly. It’s not covid as I’ve already tested twice, so I can only relate it to medication, chemical imbalance or something more physical (brain related).
Everything around smells really bitter and sour and I’m struggling to eat some of my favourite things because my taste and smell are SO altered. My body odour has changed and smells really pungent, to the point where I’m sometimes showering 3/4 times per day, but it doesn’t help. My partner can’t smell any differences at all, so I know it’s just me that can smell them.
The bitter and sour smells I get are also transferring to my tastebuds, and I’m beginning to taste the bitter/sour smells without even eating, so it’s like the smell is transferring to my saliva, which is really bumming me out.
I’ve started getting a lot of headaches too, but a new symptom so have noticed in the last wee while is that mid conversation, I completely forget what I’m talking about and go off in a tangent. I have also noticed my head feels like cotton wool most of the time, and that it feels like I’m slurring my words a lot.
Do any of the symptoms ring true to anyone? I’ve tried finding information in every area of the internet and had no luck. I have called my doctors, but no one seems interested at the moment.
Any help would be appreciated.
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nurseblue
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I was I pregablin for couple years, didn’t get on with a tall, went back to my consultant and asked to go on Topiramate I am 150mg day brillant feel different person, don’t get me wrong I still feel pain not as bad , on 30 mg citapram, magnesium Turmeric cod-liver oil, vitamin 1000 day, folic acid . Change your meds xxx
My sense of smell/taste have been wonky for years ... But think it was even before i started pregabalin. I also have non allergic rhinitis, so have a constantly blocked nose
Hello. Thanks for your reply. Some of the people I’ve spoken to have listed similar side effects, but doesn’t fully explain things. I have had post nasal drip in the last, and the last few days, I’ve noticed it more significantly
I have had a weird feeling in my mouth when chewing food for over a year but only recently gone onto Pregablin. Taste has also virtually gone and if it wasn't me cooking the food, most of what I eat I wouldn't know what it was. I cannot blame the med but I would dearly love not to take it. My memory is awful and I often cannot find words. I sometimes cannot get four or five words strung together and it must seem like dimentia to others as I am 80. The loss of words has been with me since I started with Fibromyalgia 10 years' ago. Your explanation could be me too but I can't blame Pregablin.
These symptoms are ones I am sure the Dr could not do anything about. My fatigue and nerve pain override them....but all the wretched symptoms put together are grim. Good luck if you change your med. I might try once this virus starts slowing down.
Hello. Thanks for the reply. It’s good to read that some people have had similar side effects, but still doesn’t explain things fully. I’m hopeful that my doctor will have some answers for me this week
My son was on it for about 6 months, during that time he couldn't take spicy foods at all which are normally his favourites. Everything even a little bit of pepper was blowing his head off. When he came off it he was back to eating all his favourite foods as normal.
Hello. Thanks for the reply. I’ve found that my tastes have changed in the last few months aswell. I never used to like spicy, but now I feel like I NEED to have spicy or super sour things.
I've been on 600 mg of pregabalin for 2 years. I had no problems until a couple of months ago. My taste buds have changed and I can only eat very few things without being nauseous. I have no idea what is causing this.
Hi nurseblue, My sense of smell has almost gone completely, I get a 'whiff' every now and then, my tastes have changed slightly, certain foods I can't eat anymore, my nose is constantly either blocking, or running, headaches most days.
And my brain, well, where do I start with that one!!! It's like a constant fibro fog! Can't remember things, I ramble while talking as forget what I was going to say, words the wrong way round etc etc etc, it's a nightmare trying to have a convo!!!!
It's all started, and got worse since starting on Pregabalin, Drs not bothered tho!! I think theres all kinds of weird and wonderful side effects that aren't, on their papers!?!!
I've been told there are other meds to try, so think I'll be chatting with my Dr again! Maybe it's something you could consider!?
When I take the prescribed drugs, I can taste them after a short while. Then again if I eat strong tasting foods the smell comes out on my hands and sometimes, I just stink like a garlic field. Fortunately, do not eat strong stuff too often, I think the smell of food probably comes out of my feet too, but I cannot reach them.
These tastes appeared in the mouth about five minutes after taking the tablets. Gabapentin is a sweet taste, co-codomol has three actually there is the one that stops you eating too many and then there is the other bitter one that I think is the paracetamol and then that is followed by something like menthol, that I think is the codeine. Amitriptyline was kind of flowery with a hint of the farmyard. Aspirin has a nice taste again a bit like menthol but more flowery. Cannabis has a herby chemical taste, well did. Sometimes the capsules taste fishy sometimes they taste like cardboard, I wish they tasted like beer. I did take part in a drug trial once and got rejected when they realised, I could taste the drug in the tablets and knew I was taking it or not. My cocktail recipes will be out next year.
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