Sinusitis FAQ

Diminished Taste and Smell

Question:

I suffered a cold that started about 9/18 and it pretty much ran it`s course. There was nothing unusual about and it was followed by a cold sore that usually forms after a bad cold.  However, I never regained my full taste/smell. I visited my doctor on 10/10 who said I still showed signs of infection and I was given an antibiotic shot and prescribed an antibiotic (Cephalexin 500mg) and an decongestant (Profen Forte DM) which I really didn`t feel I needed as I didn`t feel congested nor did I feel like my sinuses were blocked enough to cause loss of taste. Anyway, here it is 10/15 and nothing has improved. I smell/taste some things better than others, especially my shampoo and soap…most chemicals and foods with strong flavors…sharp cheeses, smoked meats etc.. I seem to be able to smell and taste better first thing in the morning (I can taste my coffee and that horrible morning taste that follows) but as the day goes on it dulls. I have about 2 days of antibiotics left but I don`t feel they`ve done anything for me. Anyway, I`m not sure why I`m here except that someone suggested I might have sinusitis and I discovered this n.g. I don`t have insurance so I only see my doctor when I really need to, but I guess another visit is a must. I`ve never had this problem before. Does anyone have any wisdom to share? Gene 43 years old Type II Diabetic

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -tmoq <t…@NOSPAMpipeline.com> wrote in message <news:smhlst4utmn49aen9donvrikphaj3r025u@4ax.com>… > I suffered a cold that started about 9/18 and it pretty much ran it`s > course. There was nothing unusual about and it was followed by a cold > sore that usually forms after a bad cold. >  However, I never regained my full taste/smell. I visited my doctor on > 10/10 who said I still showed signs of infection and I was given an > antibiotic shot and prescribed an antibiotic (Cephalexin 500mg) and an > decongestant (Profen Forte DM) which I really didn`t feel I needed as > I didn`t feel congested nor did I feel like my sinuses were blocked > enough to cause loss of taste. Anyway, here it is 10/15 and nothing > has improved. > I smell/taste some things better than others, especially my shampoo > and soap…most chemicals and foods with strong flavors…sharp > cheeses, smoked meats etc.. > I seem to be able to smell and taste better first thing in the morning > (I can taste my coffee and that horrible morning taste that follows) > but as the day goes on it dulls. I have about 2 days of antibiotics > left but I don`t feel they`ve done anything for me. > Anyway, I`m not sure why I`m here except that someone suggested I > might have sinusitis and I discovered this n.g. > I don`t have insurance so I only see my doctor when I really need to, > but I guess another visit is a must. I`ve never had this problem > before. Does anyone have any wisdom to share? > Gene > 43 years old > Type II Diabetic

Check out the following site: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/anosmia

Response:

nboles…@aol.com (NBoles613) wrote in message <news:20011016185959.01789.00000183@mb-ca.aol.com>… > >I had decent smelling abiility before surgery, and diminished smell since > >(sometimes none at all, sometimes a little). > I lost my sense of smell for months after surgery. It came back eventually. It > is a common side effect of surgery and is usually temporary. > Nadine

I am not sure, unfortunatly for me, that is usually temporary. I am afraid to have lost definitively my senses of smell and taste after a long period of polyposis (in french : polypose naso sinusienne) and two operations (1998 and 2000). What is your own experience ? I’ve just find an umpteenth article about anosmia on the following web address :  www.bcm.tmc.edu/oto/grand/91594.html Thank you for your contribution.

Response:

On Tue, 16 Oct 2001 00:09:28 GMT, CM <cmcmor…@austinREMOVETHESECAPS.rr.com> wrote: >My suggestion is you try to get health insurance!!

??? With all due respect, if I could afford health insurance I`d have it. >And make sure sinus trouble doesn’t get excluded as a pre-existing condition !

Well, this is baffling the hell out of me. It was just a pathetic little cold that was no different than any other I`ve ever had. It ran it`s course and that was that. And I don`t suffer allergies/sinus problems that I`m aware of and I feel just fine physically……no congestion, sinus pressure, headache, weird mucus and I`ve never had nasal surgery or head trauma ….nothing what-so-ever! I eat right, exercise, my diabetes is well under control (average BG= 110)….what the hell?   Gene…sitting here NOT tasting his coffee.

Response:

>I had decent smelling abiility before surgery, and diminished smell since >(sometimes none at all, sometimes a little).

I lost my sense of smell for months after surgery. It came back eventually. It is a common side effect of surgery and is usually temporary. Nadine

Response:

I had decent smelling abiility before surgery, and diminished smell since (sometimes none at all, sometimes a little). I think sinusitis or something in that braod category could definitely diminish your olfactory sense. My suggestion is you try to get health insurance!! And make sure sinus trouble doesn’t get excluded as a pre-existing condition ! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -tmoq wrote: > I suffered a cold that started about 9/18 and it pretty much ran it`s > course. There was nothing unusual about and it was followed by a cold > sore that usually forms after a bad cold. >  However, I never regained my full taste/smell. I visited my doctor on > 10/10 who said I still showed signs of infection and I was given an > antibiotic shot and prescribed an antibiotic (Cephalexin 500mg) and an > decongestant (Profen Forte DM) which I really didn`t feel I needed as > I didn`t feel congested nor did I feel like my sinuses were blocked > enough to cause loss of taste. Anyway, here it is 10/15 and nothing > has improved. > I smell/taste some things better than others, especially my shampoo > and soap…most chemicals and foods with strong flavors…sharp > cheeses, smoked meats etc.. > I seem to be able to smell and taste better first thing in the morning > (I can taste my coffee and that horrible morning taste that follows) > but as the day goes on it dulls. I have about 2 days of antibiotics > left but I don`t feel they`ve done anything for me. > Anyway, I`m not sure why I`m here except that someone suggested I > might have sinusitis and I discovered this n.g. > I don`t have insurance so I only see my doctor when I really need to, > but I guess another visit is a must. I`ve never had this problem > before. Does anyone have any wisdom to share? > Gene > 43 years old > Type II Diabetic

Response:

"CM" <cmcmor…@austinREMOVETHESECAPS.rr.com> wrote in message

news:3BCB7A22.78B15A82@austinREMOVETHESECAPS.rr.com… > I had decent smelling abiility before surgery, and diminished smell since > (sometimes none at all, sometimes a little). I think sinusitis or > something in that braod category could definitely diminish your olfactory > sense.

How long ago was your surgery?  Any infection present?  Any congestion? Have you tried an oral steroid (prednisone) – any olfactory improvement? If the inflammation is under control and no infection is present, I would be suspicious for olfactory nerve damage during surgery.  Resection of the turbinates, tearing of olfactory mucosa and "stripping" of the skull base during surgery can permanently destroy part or all of your sense of smell. A recent CT scan and an endoscopic exam of the upper nasal cavity by a reputable sinus surgeon will be required for a proper evaluation. MM

Response:

Filed under: Sinusitis surgery

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