Loss of smell

[Reeve77]

Hi ya , again

It’s been just over two years now since my TBI, I still can’t smell, I so badly miss being able to smell.

I would rather have lost smell that sight, hearing etc but even still it still gets me down.

Has anyone else lost there sense of smell, if so how long ago? Did you start getting something back? Did you get phantom smells? It’s weird and a bit of a tease to get phantom smells, used to get them a lot but not now (thank god lol)

I think people think it’s not such a big deal not being able to smell - it is a massive deal

1, I don’t know if I smell

2, I can’t smell my Mrs when we going out etc or at any point

3, i couldn’t smell if there was a gas leak

4, I couldn’t smell a fire

5, I just can’t smell them everyday smells, sweets, cooking, outside, cut grass, my partner etc etc

It is really starting to get to me now, it’s the third xmas with no smell and I just love the smell of xmas, mulled wine etc etc

Has anyone else got the smell back after such a long time without?

If so what did it feel like to smell again after so long?

Please give me any feed back, negative or positive, I would just like to hear some real peoples stories rather than what I’m being told by the medical experts (don’t get me wrong I get that fact that they cannot say)

Many thanks

Stuart “no smell” Reeve

Lol

[Bonnieblyth]

Hi i was interested to read your post as since my op in august i lost mine but do get a weakend down slight smell from my left nostril. I always had the keenest sense of smell for gas or burning so that does now concern me too. Has your taste buds been affected as i feel mine has. My son roared with laughter after i said this soup is nice......i was actually eating apple crumble and custard my eyes are bad too thank god i have my humour intact.

Sorry i cant help you with yours but hope someone on here can xx

[Broken_Doll]

Hi Stuart,

I also have anosmia (zero sense of smell) since my brain injury. I totally empathise with you, it’s quite upsetting & can be very isolating! It’s viewed by doctors as one of the “lesser” senses & whenever I’ve asked about it, they tend to brush it under the carpet and have said in no uncertain terms that “it’s the least of my problems “.

I have occasionally had a “phantom smell” but it’s very fleeting and it’s happening less often as time goes on, which makes me think that it’s probably just a memory.

I am approaching my four year brainiversary” (next May) and so far there has been no change.

I also have a paranoia that I smell or that my breath smells! I have been reassured it doesn’t.. lol

I also really miss the smells associated with Christmas. Smells are also really important for evoking past memories (I have memory problems), which adds to the feeling of isolation.

I have heard of people who have had their sense of smell spontaneously return after 10 or more years following brain injury, so what I will say is hold onto that hope!

Emma 😊

[Davebe]

I lost my sense of smell and taste ( I believe the same nerve is used), but mine has come back from nothing to near right. 35 years on. However, think things aren't exactly as I remember. Maybe I've just forgotten. Don't forget though, all smells aren't roses!!!.Dave