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[Sunshine34]

Hi Folks, I'm neew here so please be patient with me. I am haiving a hard time coming to terms with the loss of smell (and taste) following brian surgery in December. I know it won't come back but I just can't seem to get over it. Any advice?

[Elenor3]

Hello and welcome. I've read several posts about this issue, it must be really difficult as I imagine just daily eating is badly affected by it? It must be very wearing trying to deal with it, never mind getting over it. I have no idea what could improve it, but hope someone else on the forum can offer advice. Wishing you well and hopefully a medical break through in the not too distant future with a solution. x

[davee in reply to Elenor3]

Hello Sunshine. I've written about this in other posts. 1985, I was attacked in the street and my head knocked about very bad. My right temporal lobe was damaged. The cochlear of my ear was shattered, the meninges ripped and the fluid from around the brain was leaking. The operation to fix it lasted for some time. Apparently, it was this caused epilepsy and the sense of taste. Unlike the epilepsy the taste came back after about 6 weeks, so there's always hope. Good luck.

[Steve49]

Hi.

Hi & a Very "Big Big" Welcome

Yes after my SAH + Stroke in 1998

We were told off everything that I would never do again.

Yes I managed to do them all and "much much" more !!!

The Bigeeeeeee for me was to have another child.

"NO" "NO" "NO"

I'm not saying have another child !!!!

It just worked for me!!!!

Sorry let's get back to the "nitty gritty"

I have/still say "Never say Never"

I hope that this "Helps"

Steve.

[cat3]

Welcome Sunshine. My sense of smell became corrupted just before my haemorrhage. I returned a bottle of my favourite perfume, saying it was 'Off' but soon realised the fault wasn't the perfume but a condition known as Troposmia.

Whereas some people lose their sense of smell due to brain disorder, in my case, smells took on a chemical aroma so even the sweetest smells became unpleasant. And after the SAH I developed the same issue with taste meaning that the taste of my favourite foods (e.g. Lamb, Bananas, Tomatoes etc.) became intolerable.

I've heard that with the loss of taste and smell, the brain can eventually compensate by translating the sight of foods into tastes and smells by association.

I remember how distressing this all was initially, but I can honesty say that it really doesn't bother me in the slightest nowadays. I hope you'll find that, for you too, the problem will diminish as time passes.

Best wishes to you Sunshine, Cat x

[Candace8]

I had a sever bi after a crash and I lost smell and taste. Taste is still a little lost on some foods but I can tell my smell is back cause I can smell the cat litter tray 😷. It has taken a long time but it is returning. Doctors always say it will never return so you can't sew them and they don't want to give false hope and yes I guess some people don't but you will see from on here many of us have. It's taken years for me but now I know it does have its benifits 🙊 xx

[Hidden]

Welcome sunshine, I do not have any helpful advice to contribute regarding your loss of sense of smell and taste. I can only guess how frustrating it must be for you. Having said that, never ever give up.

For example, I lost the right side of my visual field following my brain haemorrhage. Within the year, some of it slowly returned. Enough to stop me bumping into doorways, furniture etc. There is always hope. Claire xx

[sca2013]

You might try this: With your eyes closed - Recall from your past memorable things you've tasted. In other words how you tasted things in your past. If nothing else it may give you some satisfaction. Wishing you well on your journey to creating your new normal.

[Sunshine34]

Just wanted to thank everyone for their supportive messages. I guess that time is the only way I will come to terms with never being able to smell amd taste things again! But lordy do I miss coffee and the smell of the cut grass!!!!