Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Forum - Loss of taste and smell after bronchitis

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foodie15

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Joined: 11 Mar 2008
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Loss of taste and smell after bronchitis Posted: 03-11-08 11:32am


I had a bad bout of bronchitis a few weeks back. I was on steroids and antibiotics. I have since recovered but I have lost my taste and smell. The doctor said she could put me on steriods but I do not choose to go that route. Can somebody tell me if this is normal and if it has happened to you before? I can taste sweet, salty, and spicy but coffee smells, almost fishy, and cigarette smoke smells like burning hair??? I am annoyed and desperate, and frankly, a little scared!

yogahoneybunny

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Posted: 03-15-08 14:34pm


Are you congested at all? Are you bronchial tracts cleared up? Do you smoke?

foodie15

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Posted: 03-17-08 15:39pm


I am fine now - the doctor took me off the meds, as the steriods were affecting my vision and the antibiotics were affecting everything else. I've been fine for a month now but I still can't taste or smell. My doctor is convinced this is related to the bronchitis I had and told me to hang tight.

yogahoneybunny

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Posted: 03-20-08 04:29am


Right --- please update us. This is very worrying that these senses have not returned as they are closely connected one to the other. I believe that smell is the dominant sense, which allows us to taste.

foodie15

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Posted: 03-20-08 09:58am


Yetserday I got all excited because I could kinda smell my lotion, and kinda taste a cookie I was eating. Again, I am slightly congested, mostly in my nose and just started using a saline nose spray, as it has been ridiculously dry here in Southern California and taking zinc. I wake up every morning praying that I will be able to taste my coffee and hoping that it won't have a weird burnt smell. I will keep you updated. I have not gone to an ENT yet, because I can't get in to see my primary care Dr, as his office books him every 15 min. (Love my HMO!) Also, I am trusting my doctor, (she does not take my insurance so I pay out of pocket to see her because she has been with me for years.) I trust her and she said not to worry.

yogahoneybunny

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Posted: 03-20-08 12:27pm


OK...seems like things are looking good and slowly returning. Lotion and cookie smell .. two very nice sensations. I'd also suggest perhaps a saline wash with something like a net pot 2-3 times daily...it's like a spray only i travels throughout your entire nasal sinuses...I love it!

foodie15

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Posted: 03-21-08 10:17am


What is net pot? Where can I find this wash? Remember I am desperate and will try anything that doesn't involve a drug of some kind. Have you ever heard of this happening to someone???

elberama

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Joined: 30 Apr 2008
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Neti pot; smell loss for 3 days Posted: 04-30-08 13:18pm


I came down with a cold 6 days ago, and for the past three days I can't smell, and I can't taste anything besides sweetness, saltiness, bitterness, sourness. I've been trying to look up this topic on the web, too. If you look up "Anosmia," the medical term for smell loss, or "parosmia," the medical term for distorted smelling, you will find a wealth of infomation. Also, the nasal irrigation pot is called a Neti pot. It is from India, and it is basically a watering pot for your nose. You fill it up with salty water (like the same saltiness as tears), and you tilt you head, pour it into one nostril, and let it drain out the bottom nostril. You can order a plastic Neti pot online for $15.

pugsmom

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Posted: 05-20-08 15:27pm


About 5 years ago, a friend and I both had colds at the same time. We both lost our sense of smell and taste. Mine lasted about a month (coffee was the first thing I was able to smell). My friend's loss is permanent.

Fairy*Godmother

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Hi Posted: 05-20-08 16:19pm


Lost my sense of smell and taste a long time ago. Was not sure if this was because of the anuerysm or some sinus related thing. I too am curious as to this net pot yogahoneybunny is talking about. I snort salt water with a pinch of baking soda...actually its 1/2 cup water with 1/4 tsp. salt and 1/tsp. soda. Pour a little into the cup of your hand, plug one nostril and snort the water through the open nostril. Then, do the other side. Opens you up, its natural, got this from my endo Dr. I also reagined my sense of smell and taste. Well to some degree. I can't smell things unless they are really strong, or putrid. Every now and then I can smell the honey suckles or a candle I am burning.

Bejeffer

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Joined: 17 Jun 2008
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ENT said Virus caused my loss of smell /taste Posted: 06-17-08 16:26pm


Had a cold about a month, loss of smell/taste remains. ENT put me on prednisone for 14 days...I'm on day 9. She seemed confident most of my taste would come back. Less of my smell, but it would improve. If I hold things very close to my nose I can smell them. But as someone mentioned above I miss the smell of coffee. That smell and taste seem to be gone completely. Occassionally in the early morning I can smell bacon very distinctly. I wonder if lying down/ position of the nose has something to do with it. Anyway, a few general questions: 1)Has prednisone helped anyone? How long before you experienced improvement? 2)Do olfactory nerve endings regenerate? Sounds like it may take months. 3) Was this a random virus (you only get it once)? I'm kind of paranoia about catching a common cold. Thanks all!

mirrorlady

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Joined: 27 Jun 2008
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loss of tastebuds Posted: 06-27-08 20:18pm


I lost my taste buds around 2 weeks ago after being told I have Bronchitis. Dr. prescribed Maria's Mouth Wash for score throat and ZPak. He said that it may take up to 2 months for taste to come back. Dr. said that cause was from Maria's wash which is a compound. I can taste lemons, limes, and menthol cough drops. It's very frustrating. Can only smell extremely strong odors. Did anyone else have this problem and if so, did your taste buds come back?

lashellie

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Loss of taste&smell after several months Posted: 07-15-08 17:48pm


I had a bronchial infection that caused severe breathing problems in Feb.this year,and I was prescribed prednisone 14 days.I have had a loss of taste&smell with everything since.I have been depressed a lot too because I have also had other problems as well.Like my bodyhair grows much faster,have light white hair on face,very dry skin, (have2shave2-3 times a day).Its also like all of my senses are dulled.Cant feel,have more impaired vision,and more hearing loss since.But I have had great luck with my asthma.No problems since,but I'd rather have breathing problems anyday than lose my taste buds and sense of smell and have these other problems.anyone out there seen specialist for these conditions?If so has anyone had any cures or tried anything on their own that has worked?I hear acidophilus and zinc supplements help?

lashellie

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Loss of taste&smell after several months Posted: 07-15-08 17:50pm


I had a bronchial infection that caused severe breathing problems in Feb.this year,and I was prescribed prednisone 14 days.I have had a loss of taste&smell with everything since.I have been depressed a lot too because I have also had other problems as well.Like my bodyhair grows much faster,have light white hair on face,very dry skin, (have2shave2-3 times a day).Its also like all of my senses are dulled.Cant feel,have more impaired vision,and more hearing loss since.But I have had great luck with my asthma.No problems since,but I'd rather have breathing problems anyday than lose my taste buds and sense of smell and have these other problems.anyone out there seen specialist for these conditions?If so has anyone had any cures or tried anything on their own that has worked?I hear acidophilus and zinc supplements help?