Lost My Sense of Smell

Please get a cat scan or MRI. This might be something serious. Hopefully it is just a chronic sinus infection, but these symptoms need to be taken seriously.

I read an article once by a woman who lost her smell - it ended up being allergies and when she travelled (and then moved) to a different location, it came back. Good luck. It sounds terrible!

I know a wonderful ENT. His name is Dr Young at Lakeside Allergy, ENT in Rockwall, TX. I used to be his nurse and his is great doctor and person - you will absolutely love him!!!
N.

Just wondering if you used Zicam much? I read that it can have the side effect of losing your sense of smell, which is why I don't use it. Wondered if that's what happened to you so I can tell my hubby to stop using it. Thanks and sorry for your loss. We have an ENT here in McKinney we like, but I don't know where you live right now.

My husband has lost his sense of smell at times with sinus conditions and when he has used over the counter nose sprays. He is an unhappy camper when this happens. It also takes away his taste. He went to the doctor and was able to clear it up with antibiotics, discontinuing the nose spray and taking Zinc. I would see and ENT right away and explore all the options that have been mentioned. I use Dr. Stuart Thomas in Arlington at the Central Park ENT offices and really like him. Best of luck.

Visiting a specialist is always a good idea. My dad lost his sense of smell after an injury to his head. He also lost his sense of taste since the two are very related. Have you lost that? For him, he's fine. He likely won't get those senses back due to the injury, but he's healthy. Don't get too concerned yet. Check-in with specialists first. Remember, unless a blood test is specific to an issue many times it can't help much.

I would have thought the doctors would have thought of this but it could be related to medications you are on. We see Dr. Michael Bryan in Southlake. He's really great. He explains things so that you understand them, great bedside manner, nice office, office staff have it together, etc. He did my son's ear tubes and we have been very pleased.

Have you figured anything out about losing your sense of smell? I am 28 and have not been able to smell anything in a few years..and no one can figure out why.. I cant smell anything at all!! Please let me know what you found out so i can see if that has been checked with me im at my wits end on this one!! Thanks

I was going to write about seeing a neurologist, but it looks like many moms already have this covered. I would definately look into it because we actually smell, (and everything else), with our brains. A friend of mine just found out she had an aneurism(?) in her brain and it was affecting her eyesight. They treated it and she is fine now. Be sure to follow throough on this even if the Dr's say it's no big deal.

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We love Dr. Neelish Mehendale (muh-HEN-duh-lay)in Frisco. He's on Coit & 121. I don't know your location. It's a long drive for us (about 40 minutes in no traffic), but he's worth it!

Hi S.,
My mom lost most of her sense of smell during menopause. She has not regained it.
Her doctor dismissed it as a menopause related symptom that would not change.
Leanne

My son's neurologist said that this can, rarely, be caused by a brain problem such as a tumor in the olfacatory center of the brain. I don't mean to panic you and it's probably not that, but you might consider a neurologist esp. if the ENT can't find anything.

I have also heard of a woman losing her sense of smell after using the nose spray that is supposed to fend off a cold. Is the name Zicam? I think she sued. But of course, we won't hear about the outcome. Usually big companies settle out-of-court but only if the person agrees to a silence clause in the settlement. No telling how many people lost their smell this way.

S.,
I am very glad you are concerned. You should ABSOLUTELY see an ENT and make sure all the working parts are not hampered.

If you get the "We aren't sure what causes this, so it's really nothing to be worried about" answer, then I can help you.

If this is NOT a structural issue, then it is absolutely a neurological issue. The sense of smell is functionally located in the amygdala in your brain. The amygdala is part of the limbic system, which is where most of our emotional processing takes place. This part of our brain is 80 to 90% water. #1 Drink all the water you need--good formula is to take your body weight in pounds, divide by 2, and drink that number of ounces each day as a MINIMUM. (A 100 pound person should drive 50 ounces minimum each day). This means WATER---not juice, not soda, not milk, etc.

There are other ways we use to stimulate the sense of smell. It is VERY important, as you point out that you have missed a potentially life-threatening situation already when you missed the fire.

We should ALL stimulate our sense of smell.

This subject is part of the brain development class I teach. If you would like further information, please private message me.

I agree with the recommendation of Dr Michael Bryan in Southlake ###-###-####). He did tubes for both my kids. I'm pretty sure he takes adults too - and have, in fact, been thinking of making my own appointment with him soon for some sinus issues.

S.,

Don't want to scare you..but I agree with the other lady. A lady I used to work with lost her sense of smell and it was due to some brain issues she had. She couldn't smell anything. So I would say see what the ENT says. I know a good one in the DeSoto area (Dr Huang). If there are no results from that then I would seek out a neurologist. I know a good one of those too, in the DeSoto area.