Smell/taste after tbi

[dawny]

The smell and taste after my accident on 18th Jan is unbearable, anyone simular experiences please x

[cat3]

Yes Dawny, it was a depressing time for me when my taste & smell first became corrupted. It happened for me prior to a brain haemorrhage and I'd read online (on reputable sites such as Mayo clinic and NHS) that this could be the sign of stroke, tumour or haemorrhage. My GP laughed (attitude of 'Don't waste my time') .....................and soon afterwards I had the bleed !

I thought, for almost a year after the op, that it was the worst aspect of the whole brain injury as I always enjoyed my food so much, and I loved the scents of flowers in my garden, my favourite perfume, newly cut grass etc., etc. I remember buying lamb, new potatoes & veg and fresh mint for sauce to make a Sunday dinner. Everyone said it smelled and tasted delicious ; to me it smelled & tasted utterly nauseating & couldn't manage a second mouthful.

But within the year I'd decided I HAD to deal with it in a positive way, so I forced myself to eat certain foods which had been favourites (tomatoes, bacon fish etc.) and concentrated really hard on recalling the actual tastes to try to make the necessary sensory connections.

With perseverance it started to work, and within a couple of years I was beginning to enjoy most foods again. Now, 6 years on, I never think of it as a problem, except for if I have a cold where the olfactory system is pretty much messed up for most people anyway.

You're in the really early stages of this condition Dawny (Troposmia) and there really IS every chance it'll improve with time. Best wishes, Cat x

[dawny in reply to cat3]

Thanks for your wise advice again my friend and i wish you well. I try stay positive and usually am but yesterday. It really got to me. I was told im lucky to be alive and embrace that every day. Your gp needs sacking cat what a terrible misjudgement, our bodies tell us when somethings not right. I hope to chat again and hope we can talk about good things, sending love and good wishes xx

[steve55 in reply to cat3]

as i was explaining to dawny cat and its really bad table manners so i dont do it, but i found the way to taste food was to suck in air and then slap your lips together.

[Alice5]

My son had the same issues after his SAH, I can't remember how long it took to pass but all is fine now x

[dawny in reply to Alice5]

Thankyou and my love to you all x

[maxinebird]

Hello dawny. I had a fall last July, fracture of skull and two bleeds on brain. I lost my smell and taste. The foods i used to love are gross to me, but after 10 months i do think things are improving, A lovely Headway lady suggested acupuncture on the forehead. I did actually message a chinese acupuncture lady and she said it works. I do not have the confident for that at the moment. I have found that last couple of weeks i have been to a sauna or steam room and the following day i have smelt things which i haven't since my injury. And not having the item close up. One of my friends was eating a vine tomato, it smelt divine, I find cake and chocolate are my only pleasure, but i found out yesterday my cholesterol is high. Hey Ho.

I hope yours gets better soon.

Maxine

[dawny in reply to maxinebird]

Funilly enough salt and marmalade are all i can taste, strange contrast lol, i send you love and strength my friend and wish you well, I'm on Facebook if you need to chat, Dawny milven, you never have enough friends, good wishes xx

[dawny]

Thank you all, I'm doing well at being positive but as you all well know there will be blips, on a high guys I'm driving again and hope to return to work in july which is encouraging, we all survived our tbi's for a reason, to support each other, I'm always here for you all. Much love x

[Shon48]

I’ve been like that since chemotherapy. I would kill for a decent cup of tea , toast and marmalade. The only thing that still tastes the same are eggs . Everything tastes just awful . I hope it all comes back for you though . 🤗

[steve55]

mines taste unless i suck in air and smack my lips while im eating ha ha ha

[dawny]

Any more coping issues my friends, I'm becoming quite depressed as it's there stuck in my passages even when holding my breath and not swallowing. Samaritans have been helpful and supportive as I've become very low. I can't stand to eat or drink.and if I do I bring it back so very week and very shaky. I was supposed to have phased return to work on Monday but I think this weakness and shakiness will prevent it. Trying just to breathe through my nose did help at first guys, give it a go and let's swap ideas. Much love to you all xxx

[sashaming1]

My post-TBI smell and taste is just mostly gone.

[dawny in reply to sashaming1]

I'm sorry to hear this z