Covid and loss of smell and taste

[bluegirl7]

hi all

I am taking Paxlovid started this morning Thank you all for the encouragement. My husband is taking it also.

I will restart my prednisone tomorrow. Wanted to see what the Pax did to my gut.

But although I have heard about the loss of smell and taste is terrifying me. I have very highly developed senses and I cannot taste or smell a thing!!! It is actually impossible for me to eat. I started reading online which terrified me so I stopped. I am thinking that if this is a result of inflammation in the nose and mouth probably taking more than my 1 mg of Pred could help? Does anyone know anything about this? I was not a good eater as a child and because of my stomach issues it can still be an issue for me so taste has been really a life changer for me. I can’t imagine eating without it so I am afraid.

Thank you all for wisdom, experience and kindness.

[SnazzyD]

Yes, I had that last July. Loss of taste and smell is variable between people and in my experience covid infections. Covid 1 it lasted a day or two. Covid 2 it was fine but wine didn’t taste right. Covid 3 it was just down to the congestion just like any cold. Covid 4, 2 weeks of no taste or smell at all and at least 4 weeks of some but not all of a full palate. My sister at the time had none at all for 6 weeks and it slowly came back over about a month after that. At the worst times I just ate functionally because my body needed it to survive. Enjoyment was not an option, actually, a bit like when my diet was severely affected by high dose steroids.

[bluegirl7 in reply to SnazzyD]

Thank you. I guess this is COVID 4? I have lost track. I will try to take care of my body but gagging does happen to me if I can’t taste or don’t like the taste. I will hold on. Thanks again.

[SnazzyD in reply to bluegirl7]

How is chilled food?

[bluegirl7 in reply to SnazzyD]

I will try some yogurt again to have a base for Pax. But it is honestly like a cold mush. I will keep trying and hopefully it will turn around soon. Thank you!!!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Unfortunately it is a common part of Covid and must be endured. I have a friend who h as never had a sense of smell or taste due to a rare pituitary problem. SHe does enjoy food though - it is textures that are most important to her.

[JanboC]

I have not had Covid, but haven't eaten a meal in over 8 weeks! the smell and taste of food makes me feel ill. All I can manage is biscuits and home made rice pudding. I have lost over a stone and a half in weight. The doctor gave me some food supplememts that were revolting and made me physically sick. I will never eat another banana as long as I live! I am at my wits end and don't know what to do, neither do the doctors.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to JanboC]

Are you SURE you haven't had Covid?

[JanboC in reply to PMRpro]

Absolutely posiyive. We test ourselves at least once a week, and when we used to go shopping etc we would test more often.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to JanboC]

My daughter had her 3rd dose - and tested daily as she is a nurse. On day 4 or 5 she used 2 swabs from different packs, the negative one was from the pack she'd been using all week. The second pack gave a positive. They are by no means foolproof.

[JanboC in reply to PMRpro]

You've actually got me wondering now, if I have had it, but not known I have? I have had an awful taste in my mouth since before the end of May, and have noticed that it had gone yesterday. I can only hope that's what it was and things will improve. Thanks,PMRpro.

[diana1998]

I have gradually lost much of my taste and smell through the prednisolone. I can taste strong flavours like spicy food, mustard, marmite, chutneys, ginger, salt, pepper etc but not much else. I get my pleasure from the look of the dish. I look at a poached egg and my brain tells me it's delicious. I can't smell bacon cooking or if I'm burning anything. My husband has no smell due to an accident so the house could burn down around us!! Help....

[Macas]

I lost my taste and smell about 7 years ago. I was on holiday in Spain fell ill with chest infection local Doctor prescribed strong antibiotics which I can only assume caused this, who knows? It’s another thing we have to learn to live with.I feel the textures and just try to get on with it. I certainly haven’t lost weight and although I can’t taste it I still love chocolate !!😜 I do worry more about lost of smell especially when use by dates are beingdiscontinued.

[Gossiplady]

hi bluegirl7, yes I too lost my taste and smell with Covid last October. It lasted 8 months. I forced myself to eat, in minimum, because my body needed food. I still lost weight. The nurse at my surgery suggested I added dried milk to my drinks and any food as appropriate. It was a dreadful time. I could still eat and enjoy chocolate! In April I decided to keep a diary of everything I ate with a tick beside it if I could taste it. It made very interesting reading. My taste buds didn’t suddenly jump into action, just one or two foods at a time. My smell just came back one day. Hurray!