I have returned home from the Thelwall Viaduct every day for eight years to switch off my gas. Every day I am 24 minutes late for work.

→ Posted by: Nigel at February 18, 2003 9:20 PM

My sister has no sense of smell too - thanks for the links, I'll forward them her way. She's been to see countless specialists, been put on special diets, etc, but nothing seems to do any good. She still makes me smell her clothes for her before she goes out to make sure they don't stink :p

→ Posted by: Bryan at February 18, 2003 10:08 PM

My Aunt lost her sense of smell in a car crash about 40 years ago. She is now 82 and my cousins have started worrying about her, and gas (and alcohol, but that's another story). Not unreasonably, she points out to them that she has survived 40 years without smell.

I can smoke in her flat.

→ Posted by: Gert at February 18, 2003 10:34 PM

Mmmmm ... shouldn't that gas appliance turn of the gas, once the flames goes off?
At least that's what they do here in Germany.

→ Posted by: Marc at February 18, 2003 10:47 PM

Just lately, I've become utterly convinced that my bouts of extreme tiredness are due to my gas boiler being unsafe. It's just above my bath, and I have been known to stare at the flame through the little window to see if it's burning too orange or yellow, and not enough blue. In truth, I'm probably just a mild hypochondriac who should get out more, but if no one hears from me for more than three days, please call the following number ...

→ Posted by: Vaughan at February 18, 2003 11:40 PM

I had almost no sense of smell for as far back as I can remember and was deeply paranoid over the personal hygene issue. Anything else wasn't a problem and it was a considerable advantage in some chemistry lessons.

My sense of smell suddenly and disconcertingly became (initially almost unbearably) acute during the early stages of my second pregnancy and hasn't diminished since.

But is it true what people say about the acuteness of senses of smell and taste being linked? Because I didn't notice any sense in my sense of taste, which I had always regarded as being fine.

I don't, by the way, in any way suggest pregnancy as a cure for anything, let alone anosmia.

→ Posted by: qB at February 19, 2003 12:11 AM

So when you got back, had you actually left the gas on?
Have you tried strategically placed signage, like say, at the front door, over your pillow etc? Kind of like mobiles that you have to dodge with the message "Have you turned off the gas you smelly bastard?!"

→ Posted by: Ian A at February 19, 2003 2:11 AM

I find that my sense of smell is particulary acute when I have a bad hangover... which wasn't always welcome when I lived in a squat in Hackney.

→ Posted by: Kurisuchan at February 19, 2003 3:12 AM

I can empathise with the having to return home to ensure that the gas/iron/whatever hasn't been left on - until one day I actually did leave the iron on all day, and what do you know? The house was still standing. I think it's a case of as you get older you trust your memory less.

→ Posted by: Vicky at February 19, 2003 7:00 AM

Might I suggest you invest in a canary, or some other kind of small bird, and leave it perched in the kitchen, in close proximity to your gas hob.

All you need to do in the morning is check and see if the bird is still alive. If it's lying flat on its back on the bottom of the cage, chances are you left the gas on.

→ Posted by: arseblogger at February 19, 2003 7:50 AM

This reminds me of that silly old vaudeville joke about the dog with no nose:

"How does he smell then?"

"Terrible!"

→ Posted by: Graham at February 19, 2003 7:55 AM

Typically - obviously, even - I hadn't left the gas on at all. The flat was perfectly intact and non-explosive. I felt like a bit of an idiot, and even more of an idiot when I had to explain why I was forty-five minutes late for work. Still... Never mind... Better that than a huge explosion decimating my neighbours...

→ Posted by: Tom Coates at February 19, 2003 10:55 AM

Is it true that a lack of/diminished sense of smell is more likely to be a 'male thing', in a similar way that 1 in 4 men are colourblind? Only most men I know can't tell sour milk when it's way past its best, like my partner who always sniffs the milk bottle, even if he's just watched me open it...

→ Posted by: s3d at February 19, 2003 11:54 AM

Yup - apparently it is much more common in men than women. God only knows if there's an evolutionary reason for that or if it's a side-effect of something else...

→ Posted by: Tom Coates at February 19, 2003 12:04 PM

When you consider that your taste can only differentiate between sour, salt, sweet and bitter and that your smell sense makes up for the rest, I find it hard to grasp the idea of not being able to know what things smell like. Bacon butties for one :p You know what they taste like, but can't enjoy the smell of them. Damn shame, that one. Are there people out there with similar problems but related to no taste (and I don't mean what they wear/listen to/the people they hang out with - or any other oh-so-humourous comments)?

→ Posted by: Steven at February 19, 2003 4:58 PM

I am confused - smell and taste are said to be linked but my partner, who has a dangerous lack of ability to smell (gas, bad food etc )also has a most acute sense of taste, far greater than mine. He was once a chef, and a very good one. I have only known him to identify a smell twice in twenty years - one was pine disinfectant and the other, drains!
How can this be?

→ Posted by: Linda Razzell at February 20, 2003 12:32 AM

With regard to Linda's post "...smell and taste are said to be linked...". The aspect you have to consider is the loss of one sense greatly enhances the others. We all know that when someone loses their sight, the other senses, in particular, Hearing try to compensate for the loss and in most circumstances do so admirably. Therefore, there must be some link with loss of smell (a key sense) and the increase in sensitivity of the taste buds. The human body works in mysterious ways...

→ Posted by: Steven at February 20, 2003 9:16 AM

This is a bit freaky - I only read this post this morning, but last night I dreamed that I blew up our house by leaving the gas on.

Having said this, I think it's mainly to do with the fact that Transco are building us a moat / putting in new gas pipes outside our house...

→ Posted by: Simon at February 20, 2003 10:51 AM

first, i want to say how happy i was to read this post. while i do have some sense of smell, i have very little. it's not something i was even aware of until i was about 20 years old. since then, i've realized that my food preferences are much more texture-oriented than those of most people. i wonder, is this true for other anosmiacs? (i'm so excited to finally learn the word to describe this condition!)

→ Posted by: scott reynen at February 28, 2003 2:05 AM

I have no sense of smell ever since I remember. Will it affect my child if I conceive?

→ Posted by: latha at May 21, 2003 9:06 AM

My sense of smell is non existant. I have no memory of ever being able to smell. It wasn't until I was 9 or 10 that I realised I couldn't smell. I was staying with my cousin & couldn't resist putting on some of her nail polish. Even though I hid my nails, she still knew I had it on. I asked her how she knew & she said she could smell it. It does cause me some problems. I have recently bought a house with a gas stove & am a bit worried about leaving the stove on etc.

→ Posted by: Blue at December 4, 2003 1:12 AM

I have not been able to smell almost for a year now. That scares me terribly. I wanted to know if there is any treatment to restore my sense of smell. I have tried taking zinc, but it didn't work. Please let me know of any suggestions of how one sense such as a person's sense of smel can be restored if possible.

→ Posted by: Florence at January 10, 2004 12:46 AM

i am only 17 and ive never had a sense of smell. i fear that when i am to move out on my own that i'll leave my gas on constantly and being a smoker will light myself up in flames. does anyone know of any operations or helpful things i could to do possibly be able to smell again? thanks a million

→ Posted by: nicole toombs at January 12, 2004 12:52 AM

i have no sence of smell, or touch. I have learnt to get used to it. I think these people should get used to the way they were born too.

→ Posted by: helena at January 25, 2004 7:18 PM

Hi everyone, My name is Robert Potts. I am a communication student currently researching anosmia for my final project. I am very interested to hear form any anosmics about their experiences of everyday life. Especially congenital anosmiacs conception of what smell actually is, as they have never smelt. I am interested to meet people who might wish to participate in a documentary that explores the loss of the sensory dimension of smell. I am interested to hear from anyone and willing to start correspondance that may help to raise awareness or promote communication between anosmiacs. If you could indicate what country or town you are in this would be greatly appreciated.

Yours faithfully, R

→ Posted by: robert at March 2, 2004 4:24 PM

Anosmiac, I've finally figured out the word to describe my condition. I'm 28 years old, I figured out when I was pretty young that I can't smell a thing. I remember having blocked nostrils all the time and as a matter of fact I still do. Whenever I tell someone that I can't smell they ask me "what!!?? then how do you taste?" I've never felt that smell had anything to do with taste, I do enjoy my food like everybody else but the truth is "yes I can't smell". I knew that this was a disability, but didn't think that this was serious and common enough to be attributed a name, stupid me. Certain points mentioned by some contributors are absolutely true in my case. I dab myself with cologne, deodarant, use mouthwashs' all the time... keep a ready supply of mint on me, all due to the cardinal fear of being unhygienic. My wife does my scouts job of giving me a sniff now and then to see everything's alright. I never thought something was amiss until today when I came across this forum and a chance stumbling on to some related websites.

→ Posted by: Thekken at March 5, 2004 3:15 PM

This is the first that I ever heard of other people that can't smell. I had surgery last month (3/4/04). My doctor diagnosed a brain tumor by my lack of smell. Everything went well, but I had concerns about not smelling. My concerns are the same as everyone here. It helps to know a little about what other people do to get by too. There are lots of reasons for not smelling. So thanks for the learning experience. Also, I find no connection to lack of smell and lack of taste. I find in my case that I try to taste more to compensate for not smelling. I have people around that help with hygene and safety issues.

→ Posted by: Gail at April 14, 2004 3:00 AM

I'm 27 I've never had a sense of smell. I've always been okay by this, I forget most of the time. Tonight I started reading about it for the first, anosmia, and it has gotten me thinking. Does it affect my memory? Being sexually attracted to certain people? Would I act differently if I could smell? Would I be more confident in public?

I put on deodorant 3 times a day, used to have friends pick out perfume for me, and occassionally forget that it is bad and clean the bathroom with the door closed. The other day I spent an hour staining an interior door before realizing that I should open the windows. I'm amazed that wood and strawberries (before they are torn open) have a smell.

Robert, if you are still out there I'd be interested in corresponding with you for your documentary. I'm from the US. And for you other people with anosmia, please share more details about your stories! The are so good to hear.

→ Posted by: Lisa at August 3, 2004 4:59 AM

my friend has anosmia and I feel so sorry for her because I cannot imagine a life without being able to smell! In this day and age, surely this condition can be treated/cured? She does not have a tumor, is not sick/asmathic or have sinus problems, she just cannot smell! She can differentiate between sweet/sour/salty tastes only. Her doctor said she has Calman/ Kalman disease???? I cannot find info on this? Anybody out there who can tell us about this?

→ Posted by: Judi at August 15, 2004 9:07 PM

I had a severe brain injury which in turn I was told that my scent valves were crushed this was in 1991. Is there anything that I can do to mend this, not being able to smell has many disadvantages

→ Posted by: Marta Kay at October 21, 2004 4:18 PM

I cannot smell. Please help me.

People say I have BO but I cannot smell it. :( I'm very depressed. Quite clearly, I think you'll find.

→ Posted by: The Piggot at November 11, 2004 2:41 PM

i dont understand..i take a bath 2 or 1 times a day...and i get dressed clean new clothes and everything..but i cant smell...i have anosmia..so i make sure my clothes are clean..so yea i go to school..and people say i smell..WTF?!?!?!?!!?..are they lying?..are they jealous?..ohh yea and can someone tell me plz..does clothes smell if your sweat is in it?..like stained sweat clothes smell?.

→ Posted by: Danny at February 7, 2005 11:31 PM

I am a Congential Anosmic. My parents figured it out when I was fairly young and before that they just figured I was pretending (thanks goodness they didn't punish me when they got tired of the "game"!) We figured it was weird but never thought of it as a disability. I've always had mild to severe post nasal drip (but so does my sister who has all her senses) which I attribute to a mild allergic reaction to my life (dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, plants, even the mildest of chemical fumes). I've had CT scans and such done and there's nothing physically wrong unless it's just a malfunction deep in my brain.

My wonderful family members and roommates smell my clothes for me to figure out if they're clean or not. (I refold them and can't remember if I've worn them and sometimes I wash them and don't fold them for a while so I forget) More often than not, though, I don't have bad BO, even when camping or other grungy, no-shower-for-a-really-long-time situations.

I don't really enjoy food because I think my sense of taste is somewhat diminished. I can't tell the difference between artificial flavors (my sister can tell the difference between watermellon and strawberry Starbursts...they just taste tart and sweet to me). I think having a lesser sense of taste must be like being color blind. They're seeing something, it just is hard to seperate it from similarly colored things nearby. This being said, I really like a variety of textures in my foods or I get bored of a meal. As a kid I was pretty picky about which textures I would touch and which I would not touch, but now I really only stay away from tappioca (and Bubble Teas which seem to be the craze in Seattle currently).

I wonder about the memory issue, too. People say one whiff of something can transport them back in time almost completely. I've only experienced this twice. Both times I had taken a bite of gingerbread cookies after not having them for years. At the first bite, out of the blue I was in my grandmothers kitchen getting a piece of pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. They must have similar spices, I guess.

I'm a pretty empathetic and caring person, but I have to admit I have no simpathy for people who are newly anosmic. I think I'm just jealous that they once had a sense of smell. I also experience this deep sense of missing out when I see a little child subcontiously smelling cookies or flowers or something. At no other time do I feel badly that I can't smell. And I'm usually not a jealous person, either. So I guess the only sense that is stronger for me is jealousy!

I believe I am also a synesthete (having cross-sensory perception). When I hear things, I assosciate a taste to them, and visa versa. It's not as pronounced as some people who when they hear or see the letter A, they always envision it the color red (for an explanation look up the book "Blue Cats and Chartreuse Kittens" by Patricia Lynne Duffy). Perhaps this is why my cousin can explain smells to me using taste, visual and tactile descriptions and I actually get a feel for what it must smell like. By the way, when I ask anyone else what things smell like, they can't describe it. Try it some time!

On a last interesting note, I was "discriminated" against in a class one time because I couldn't complete an assignment that required us to smell different vials. I politely asked the teacher ahead of time if I could do something different for the assignment as I had no sense of smell. She told me just to sit still and be quiet (no, I was not a child, I was 20 years old). When I recieve an F for the assignment I asked if I could do anything to make up for it. She told me over her shoulder as she walked away from me that it wasn't important. I only use the word discriminate (which unfortunately lends a sense of melodrama which I typically like to stay away from) because she always lectured us on how horrible we all were for discriminating against other people. Nice hypocrisy there, huh?

(Sorry this is so long but I know how important it is for fellow anosmics to identify with people who are similar to them! I've never met in person anyone with true anosmia so email contact is nice. Feel free to email me!)

→ Posted by: Samantha Howard at February 26, 2005 2:57 AM

I sustained a massive head injury in which I cracked my skull, blew out my right ear drum and lost my sense of smell. The interesting thing is, almost a year later, I can smell certain 'layers' of ordors now. I wondering is anyone out there has experienced this because as my nerves are healing, I get very strange smells stuck in my nose, things that aren't even around. For example, during the last 3 days my smell for gasoline has returned. Now, I smell gasoline no matter what. The last time more smells returned all i could smell for days was a burnt hair smell. Anyone else get this? It very difficult to explain.

→ Posted by: adam at April 4, 2005 4:48 PM

This is a reply to Danny. Clothes that are stained with sweat are stained because sweat contains, among many other things, human fat protiens. They are very hard to get out of fabric and they smell.

→ Posted by: Adam at April 4, 2005 4:53 PM

My step dad had left the milk out for to long and for some reason put it back in the fridge. I get home from school and went to get some milk, poured a big glass like I always did, took a big drink, then spit it all in the sink (except what I hand unfortunately swallowed) and fast as I could to get a new cup and a drink of water. If I could sell I would have realized right a way when I pored the milk that it was bad but I couldn’t tell. It took a few weeks before I drank milk again. And one time I was making rice and when I had left it to simmer for 15 minutes I left it to high and didn’t know it. I set the timer and went into the living room to watch the TV. When the timer went off I looked out to the kitchen to see that it was starting to fill with smoke. If I could smell I would have smelled the smoke right off. Well it took me 3 days to scrub the burnt rice off that pan. So I just tell people it really stinks not to be able to smell.

→ Posted by: joseph at April 30, 2005 12:20 AM

I have never had a sense of smell for as long as I can remember. But I do have a sense of taste which people think is impossible, but apperently it's not. Most of the time I don't really care that I can't smell, but then there are the times that I do care and it REALLY bothers me. But I guess not being able to smell is not so bad, I mean how can it be bad to not have to smell things I hear are horrible like skunks, farts, rotten food and so on. But the down side is, safety reasons like not being able to smell gas leaks or cleaning stuff. I guess I am just more careful about opening windows when I clean. I have good friends that do "smell checks" for me when I ask. And can I just add that I am 28 years old and never knew that my "condition" had a name? If it were not for my Insomnia I never would have known that I also have Anosmia. Well, thats all I have to say for now!

→ Posted by: Lindsay at May 1, 2005 9:44 AM

I think I have lost my sense of smell. I had a really bad cold about 3 weeks ago. Now I can't smell. It is horrible! Is there a cure?????

→ Posted by: Julie at May 13, 2005 4:22 AM

Wow, I've never met anyone who had the same problem as me!...I've been to hundreds of doctors--taken their stupid scratch and sniff test...and i finally decided just to go on with life--I judge food by the way it feels in my mouth since I can't taste it--and I have gas detectors all around my house... Well it's nice to meet another freak like me

→ Posted by: Kori at May 26, 2005 2:21 PM

I don't have a sense of smell either. When I tell people they don't believe me. A lot of the time I pretend I can smell just to avoid the stupid questions that inevitably follow, or the comments about how food must taste really crap for me. It's really irritating when people shove condiments under your nose and insist you smell them. mmm...delicious.

→ Posted by: Steven at May 27, 2005 8:34 AM

I lost my sense of smell and taste - I think it started about a year ago. You really take these things for granted. The things I can smell, don't usually smell so great and the only things I can taste are chocolate, peanut butter, strawberry, and orange. I can taste that something is sweet but the tastes are not very distinct. I can taste if things are salty and if things are spicy, they will sometimes burn the tongue but not always. I cannot smell onions or dog poo, natural gas or petrol. My husband burned a pot handle on the stove and it smelled like barbeque to me. Everyone else thought they were going to die from the burnt plastic smell. I do know that this rots and it is extremely depressing. My doctor said to try zinc to improve the sense of smell but it hurt my stomach so badly that it wasn't worth it.

I don't cook anymore because I can't tell if the food is good. For all I know the meat could have gone bad. I can't tell. It just isn't even safe. I think sometimes that I will go bonkers over this...

→ Posted by: JBo at June 5, 2005 5:19 AM

I am 28 and never had sense of smell. Petrol, burnt toast and BBQ's as examples have no association with me. I had not realized this and even failed a science exam because of my disability. I wonder at times how it might of changed my perception of life and people if I was to have had a 5th sense. I did not get to even experience my new borns baby smell. I often joke to my mates I have to do the battery test when giving my sexual partners pleasure. Moving on to a helpful note, I have a friend as a natrapath who says this can be linked to a deficiency in ZINC in your body. She advized me to visit a health food shop and put a couple of drops into water. If I cant taste it I am low in ZINC. I didnt keep it consistant, so there was no reasonable result to say this could be a fix for some people. I would recommend people to try and come back to me. thanks this has been great to see I am not wierd.

→ Posted by: Regan Tait at June 9, 2005 3:20 AM

i cant smell either, thanks for posting this, i didnt know there were this many that couldnt as well!!!

→ Posted by: lindsay at June 14, 2005 3:02 AM

Hellow..Iam from chile. I had a bad fall, I had brain injury and I cant smell anymore. Iam ready to go to a chinesse acupunturista. What do yo thinK?...

→ Posted by: gisela mohn at June 15, 2005 1:23 AM

my friend was never able to smell. sometimes if he's around chemicals his nose burns. But he still can't smell a thing. its hard for him to understand that people with the sence of smell, have a completely different kind of taste that he does. Us people who can smell also have more memories. smell is linked to bringing back old memmories. A plus for people with anosmia, your other sences tend to be a lot stronger because u r missing one. well hopefully one day people with anosmia will be able to have what we take for granted

→ Posted by: toni at June 17, 2005 7:44 AM

Hah this is too funny. Im 23 years old and as far as i know ive never been able to smell. I am paranoid about personal hygeine, and i constantly wash clothes and burn candles in my apt. for company. I never knew there were so many people with the same problem nor did i know it had a name. I never really considered it to be much of a weekness though. I can taste, but im not sure if i taste like others, but that never bothered me.

I am curious though if there is a way to fix this problem. If anyone knows i would be grateful.

→ Posted by: Brandon at July 1, 2005 9:12 AM

When I was little my mom and I would go into all of the big department stores and sample the testing perfumes. The ones I would always pick would be the strongest (Mom says nastiest too). Once I hit puberty I lost what little sense I had.

Now, as I am growing older I find that I can smell a few strong scents, but only after a delayed reaction. Another thing I have noticed is that the few things I can smell are extremely nauseating. What I mean by that is, I guess I am so used to not being able to smell that even the lightest scent makes me ill.

I'm not sure what the relationship between taste and smell really is but I do know that I have a tendency to enjoy foods with extremely strong flavors: peppers, lemons...stuff like that. I also agree with Scott Reynan in that I judge foods more on their texture than taste.

→ Posted by: Jak at August 1, 2005 9:36 PM

My caesarean site of my two girls birth smells very sexy now, this is cool, but it is 21 - 23 years later. Am I suppose to smell funny in the stitch area? It is kinda of a sweaty, naval area smell and I feel funny telling anyone about it.

→ Posted by: dawn biehl at August 7, 2005 4:14 AM

I'm an 18 year old guy and have been an amnosiac all my life. (I just found out we had a name when I read the other posts!)
I've had girl friends in the past so I don't think it affects that kind of attraction. It is depressing, however, when people tell me how great something smells as I just sit there in the dark.
I understand that I shouldn't complain as I have the other 4 senses (and i think smell is the most affordable sense to lose), but it would be really nice if my ear-nose-and-throat doctor could give me more information other than "if you can taste, you should be able to smell!"
I prescribed to allergy medications, but I still have no sense of smell.
I think there's hope, though. Last year I was with my friend when he bought a vanilla-scented Homer Simpson car air freshener. When he unwrapped it he immediately crinkled his nose in disgust. Apparently, it had an extremly pungent aroma and it was just too strong for him. I jumped at the opportunity and shoved it under my nose. To my surprise, I could actually perceive the vanilla waft. Homer remains the only thing I have ever been able to smell. I'm thinking that if I smell more fresheners, I may be able to spark my olfactory glands into life...or something. My suggestion to other people who think they cannot smell is to sniff something with a strong odor, like an air freshener or an onion. I didn't think my sense of smell was weak, I thought it was nonexistent before I smelled that Homer.

→ Posted by: Brendan at August 12, 2005 7:11 AM

I just had the scare of my life. I have an extremely acute sense of smell unlike my 12 year old little brother who has none. Tonight I smelled an incredibly noxious smokey smell in the living room, and started hunting around the house for it while everyone else was asleep.. to my horror it was comming from my brothers room. When I opened the door smoke poured out and I heard some light wheezing and coughing. I pulled him out and he said something about it being dusty in his room, he didn't even realize that his lamp had caught fire! You guys, keep a working smoke detector around! the one across the hall from my brother's room didn't go off until I opened his door. If I hadden't been around, or he had been sleeping he might have died.

→ Posted by: Allen at August 22, 2005 7:18 AM

I had a car accident 31/11/04. I was in acoma for 3 weeks when came round I could not remember anyone for a few weeks. My head was swollen, I broke 4 ribs, fractured my knee and my lower back(my T111) and lost my sense of smell. Please let me know if it will ever return?

Regards
Khukhi

→ Posted by: khukhi Tabane at October 22, 2005 9:49 AM

Lack of the sense of smell is often associated with zinc deficiency. This can, in turn, be aggravated by mercury from amalgam (mercury-based or "Silver") dental fillings. Perhaps many who have had silver fillings since childhood could see if this is an indirect cause of this condition.

→ Posted by: Russ Tanner at October 22, 2005 2:55 PM

i have not smell anything before in my life

→ Posted by: samil yeboah at October 22, 2005 6:00 PM

My father is 75 years old and remarried several years ago to a 55 year old woman. She developed amniosac several years ago. Since this has happened, she does nothing. My father, who should be retired now, is still working to take care of her. She cannot and will not work. When we have family parties, she very rarely comes, but when she does she normally has to leave because her nose is acting up. My dad is very concerned about her, as well he should be. I feel like telling her to get her butt out of bed and tough it out. I have no idea what she is going through, so I can't react to her situation. I want my dad to live his life to tht fullest. I found this website and am hoping that I get some comments from people that have this disease. Hopefully some constructive comments that I can pass on to her or my dad. It is very frustrating for me to understand this. Please, Please respond. Thanks.

→ Posted by: Joe at October 25, 2005 2:28 PM

I am the son of the 75 year old above with the 55 year old wife. I did not sign in correctly. Please respond to this. Thank you.

→ Posted by: JoeBoe at October 25, 2005 2:47 PM

I lost my sense of smell in June 1997 after an op to remove nasal polyps. Four days ago i could suddenly smell again, although it only lasted for about 30 minutes. The following day it came back twice for about 40 mins each time and today it has been back for the last 2 hours! I'm hoping that it is gradually coming back for good but incase it doesn't I have been round my house smelling everything and anything - especially perfumes!, oh and shoes for personal hygene reasons !! If anyone has heard of this happening after such a long period of time please let me know.

→ Posted by: LH at October 25, 2005 6:28 PM

Ah...Finally, other freaks like myself. I am an amnosiac. I am currently 20 yrs old and am a guy. I was born with amnosia and until about 15 minutes ago never knew there was a name for it.

I first began to realize my lack of smell in 6th grade. We were given an assignment in science class to smell diffrent foods and describe the smells. I failed because they all "smelled" the same. In reality, they had no smell to me. I consulted a doctor who told me that at birth, my smell sensors migrated into my pituatary(sp?) gland and were killed. This resulted in my lack of smell. Recently a friend said it was due to a deviated septum, but that hasn't been proven yet.

Personally, I hate not being able to smell. It royally sux! My family still thinks I'm just pretending. It's really annoying when ppl come up to me and say "Man, that really reeks. Smell it!" I used to sniff it and agree, just to avoid the questions, comments and being called a liar. Now, I just look at them and give them this "you suck" look and they begin to laugh and talk about how they forgot.

My biggest fears are of personal hygeine and safety issues. I'm always scared that the house is gonna catch fire or something and me not know. My taste is not affected in this nor are my other senses. I've been to many doctors who, upon telling them, stare at me like a freak and then begin joking about it or telling me to quit lying. To be honest, most times I just wanna hit ppl who've got a sense of smell and take it for granted. I can smell really strong odors, but to date, there's only been one thing I can smell...Vicks. Other than that, I'm smell-less.

Does anyone know of a way to correct this problem? Right now I'm really worried cuz I'm trying to get in the Air Force and if this becomes a disability it will keep me out. That would really make me POed. Sorry so long, just happy to have found other amnosiacs.

→ Posted by: Justin at November 21, 2005 6:23 AM

Finaly People LIKE ME! I cant smell at all or taste normaly (because if you cant smell it usualy afects your sense of taste)but i never knew it had a name! I wish i would have known that earlyer. Im sereously happy that im not the only one. some of my friends treat me like im faking it BUT im not! Only my best friends beleve me and 2 out of 3 times the people i tell test me ! Man thats anoying.
Ive never been able to smell and i still dont know why I cant plus Ive never had a doctor cheack it. Eany way one of the only up side is when i get a car(in a long time)I can get a handycap sign WOHOooo

→ Posted by: jess at November 25, 2005 9:27 PM

i have no sense of smell!!! haha it isnt that bad tbh... i just dont comment on smells... and i eat just about anything...
lol i park my car sometimes when im stoned in a disabled bay... and then when someones says, you cant park there.. i politly say... but i cant smell where i parked my car!! that just confuses them!!! i cant rly explain to ppl... cus all they say is! "so you cant smell shit then" that rly pisses me of... cus all i can say to that is..NO I CANT SMELL I JUST SED!!! then they say! "so if i farted in your face" JUST SHUT UP OK!!!

i am abit colour blind to.. plz email me, i mite make a website!!!! i_cant_afford_lube@hotmail.com

→ Posted by: eddy southwell! at November 29, 2005 9:55 PM

I lost the sence of smell three yaers ago . My ex husband hit me with a hummer.I taste the food but I can't smell do you think I could get it back?

→ Posted by: latifa elanaya at December 13, 2005 3:39 AM

I suppose with so many people living on this planet, there would be many who have similar afflictions. I have never been able to smell, but I always figured I was an exception. Now I know I am not alone! I still remember the first time I realized I was different...I was about 6 yrs old, riding in the car with my parents, brother, and sister. Out of the blue, my sister yelled that she smelled french fries and could we get some at McDonalds. I didn't understand what she was saying. I didn't see a McDonalds anywhere, and when I sniffed air into my nose, it just smelled like...air!!
I feel left out when people tell me how great things smell, like food and flowers and rain. But on the other hand, I think its great that I'm not bothered by the bad smells. We had a skunk sneak into our place of work once. It was spooked, and must have sprayed its stink because everyone was running out of the building, holding their noses and yelling about the smell. I got the craziest looks when I just stood there and said "whats the big deal?" I couldn't smell a thing!
I wonder sometimes what would happen if suddenly one day I could smell. I think I would be overwhelmed and would not like it. I cant imagine how people who CAN smell deal with having to smell things all day long, every day! I guess they're used to it.

→ Posted by: stephanie at January 5, 2006 2:45 AM

Wow, thought I was the only person to have this. My father treated me like loon when I told him. He said, "That doesn't exist, I've never heard of anyone who has hat kind of problem. Can't see, yes. But smell? Nothing can make you not smell."

In fact many people have told me that I am insane that I am dilusional. I've been told that I am stupid for making up such a thing. If you can lose sight, hearing what makes smell so hard to belive?

→ Posted by: GreatA at January 10, 2006 5:40 PM

For as long as I can remember, I've had almost no sense of smell. I could rarely smell anything but sometimes I could slightly smell what other people said were very stong scents. About 2 months ago I came home from a workout and being very thirsty grabbed a glass of water that was sitting on my desk and drank it without looking at it. After drinking half of it I realized it tasted rotten and came to find out the water was not clean and had something floating in it, maybe a moth but I'm couldn't tell for sure what it was. From then on about once a day for an hour or so I can smell everything around but everything smells horrible with that rotten water smelled mixed in with it. It's almost unbearable. Sometimes it occurs randomly and sometimes it occurs after blowing my nose or taking a deep breath. Has anyone else had an experience like this or does anyone know how to make it stop?

→ Posted by: Adam at January 10, 2006 7:41 PM

I have never been able to smell. I fell asleep one time while heating some oil. My sister called the house to ask a question and that is what woke me up. By that time, the entire kitchen was in flames. If she had not called I would not be here today due to the fact that I can not smell and could not smell the smoke for the entire house was already smoke filled. It was awfull.

→ Posted by: Michael at January 11, 2006 1:06 AM

I lost my smell and taste a little over 2 months ago due to a head injury.I also bit a huge hunk out of the right side of my toung.My doctor tells me that the nerves that take my smell senses to my brain were destroyed and it will take 6 to 8 months for them to begin to restore if at all.My taste is really messed up too.I have begun to be able to tast some mostly sweet things and a little of other tastes.Its really weird how I can eat an olive and can't tast it a bit but if I drink the olive juice I can taste that.Anyway...I read sevreal places where taking zinc can help restore the nerves..However I can't seem to find how much of a dosage.Also are there any other things I can try.Some people cant seem to understand how this can depress me. I was always a person who had a habit and part of my enjoyment of food was actually putting it to my nose and smelling it first before biteing in.

→ Posted by: Ann at January 15, 2006 6:49 PM

is there a device that can smell oders.i can,t smell and heavy fragrances cause asthma attacs.can someone please help. thank you Mr Leigh

→ Posted by: Mr Leigh at January 16, 2006 7:47 AM

I'VE BEEN USING NASACORT FOR A WEEK NOW.
NO RESULTS YET-STILL CAN'T TASTE OR SMELL.
MY DAD HAD THE SAME DEAL.HE SAID TO GIVE THE INHALOR 2-3- WEEKS TO WORK.
WILL ADVISE.
HOPING FOR THE BEST!!
DAMN-I MISS IT THE MOST.

→ Posted by: TOMMY at January 17, 2006 1:41 AM

NO RESULTS YET=WILL ADVISE.

→ Posted by: TOMMY at January 21, 2006 1:35 AM

Are most of you amnosiacs British? If so it might explain some of the food, i.e. steak and kidney pie. But just because something looks terrible doesn't mean it smells terrible, right or wrong? perhaps no one is here any more...all dead of gas leaks. If there are any surviving amnosiacs, and if indeed most of you are Brits, what could explain that phenomenon?

→ Posted by: tallulah at January 30, 2006 7:38 AM

I have had a complete loss of taste and smell for just on 2 years now.
Thanks to the marvelous NHS I have been waiting 18 months to see a specialist,reading the posts here seems to offer no positive feedback.
Can someone please reasure me that one day I may regain these senses, it is making metruly depressed

→ Posted by: ian smith at February 8, 2006 1:44 PM

I have been trying to research any doctors who can perform surgury on my 70 year old mother that was born without the sense of smell. She was born with a mild case of "bells-palsy" which paralized the left side of her face at birth. Back in the 30's when she was born there was no such surgury, but now I was hoping someone out there might have heard of such an operation to restore her sense of smell.
I am her daughter and would love to give her this precious gift back (one that she sais she doesn't really care if she has) but can't convince her what she's been missing all these years.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I've researched a little and saw that steroids in some cases have restored a little, but they must continue to be administered until the permanent surgury is done.

Thanks
Laurie
l.donnauro@att.net

→ Posted by: Laurie at February 8, 2006 10:40 PM

tried the nasacort-it gave me little hope with no positive results.my doc says the ear-nose and throat specialist is next.
may the smell be with you.
will advise.

→ Posted by: tom at February 12, 2006 5:29 AM

I lost my sense of smell and taste 8 months ago after a bad sinus cold infection. I used flonaise and another brand of nasal spray which may have triggered the problem. The smells I do have are the same, e.g. coffee,my hand, and cosmetics etc. etc.smell the same. Coffee and soft drinks taste the same; neither taste like they did before my malady - an unpleassant "metalic" taste. Bourbon has an unpleasnt off taste. Maybe I'll quit drinking. Norman

→ Posted by: norman at February 12, 2006 6:11 PM

norm-don't quit drinking-it may be all you have left!!
at least you can smell something-the rest of us can't.

→ Posted by: tom at February 17, 2006 1:27 AM

Hi there, it's been about a year now that my sense of smell and taste keeps coming and going.
Especially after having a cold, it really takes time for my sense of smell and taste to recover, but what i have noticed it's not as good as it used to be when i am able to smell and taste. It's really frustrating and some days it really gets me down. something that does help me which i do take from time to time is cortosone, i usually take a high dose for a few days, maybe a week, then after a day taking the cortisone then my sense of smell and taste comes back, but stronger than ever, then i can smell and taste anything, then after a few days stopping the medication my sense of smell and taste becomes weaker. I also suffer from chronic sinusitis, asthma, and allergies. just a small message to those with gas stove's, try and convert to an electric stove, it much more safer and modern.

Regards
Gavin
(Johannesburg, South Africa)

→ Posted by: Gavin Mc Linden at February 19, 2006 8:06 PM

Hi everyone!
I am sorry to hear of everyone's tragic stories of being unable to smell. I really think alot of people take that sense for granted. Well here is my story, I had just turned twenty years old and I was in a car accident, and due to a basal skull fracture(head injury)I have totally lost my sense of smell. I am now thirty years old. I must admit I had a really hard time with this at first, but it got easier over the years. I mean what choice do I have. Although recently the loss has started to bother me again, especially during the holidays. Also, I think about the smells of perfume and colognes. Oh yeah this whole Aeromatherapy thing does not apply to me. Anyway I just wanted to let you know you are not alone. Although I will always have to deal with the loss of smell because mine is permanent, but those of you who have the loss of smell related to sinus problems or a recent cold etc. there is hope for you. So, my advice is for you to talk with your doctor or see a specialist such as a ear, nose and throat doctor and be sure to always get two or three professional opinions before any type of surgery. I am also a nurse by the way. Good luck to you.

Kristy
S.C. USA

→ Posted by: Kristy at February 20, 2006 2:00 AM

Am I the only one here who feels blessed? I'm not religious, but if I were I would thank god for realizing that this sense is no longer necessary in our society. I am 19 and I've had anosmia ever since I was 5 due to polyps. When I first found this site it felt good to not be alone (not that I ever felt horribly alone), but then slowly I realized that I still am. Most of the people who have posted here act as if they have been blighted by some horrible disease, and I was shocked. I was so hopeful that there would be more people like me, people that appreciate not being able to smell.
I've seen many posts of people who say their taste has stayed pretty much the same. I doubt that. To me it doesn't SEEM like things tastes any different, because it's been so long since I've tasted their full taste. So in effect, I feel like my sense of taste is fine.
As for not being able to smell, I hear people mention bad smells much more often than good. I'd say at least 5 to 1. And I love that. Every time some one passes gas I feel fortunate to not have to partake in everyone else’s pain. And I haven't had a problem with food poisoning or food that's gone bad. Most food is labeled with expiration dates and there are other visual signs that food is rotten. That plus a general knowledge of how long to keep left-overs has kept me safe.
I don't worry about gas. I have alarms that alert me if there is an excess amount in my apartment and I have an electric stove.
The biggest benefit is managing my weight. I eat when I'm hungry and that's it. I don't have smells that lure me to eat more after I'm full.
And it's not as if I haven't experienced the world of smells. I've had surgery twice to remove the polyps in my nose, once when I was a kid and then again a couple years ago. For a couple weeks after each operation I could smell. And to my surprise, it did nothing for me. The world seemed the same, only now things would occasionally stink.
In our society it is no longer necessary to smell. Science has made it unnecessary. Sure, I miss the smell of toast, but I pay the price gladly for all the benefits I have.

Jesse
MN USA

→ Posted by: Jesse Skogh at February 25, 2006 8:51 AM

Howdy!!I'm 18 years old and I've never been able to smell and my taste is pretty bad too.I didn't even know I couldn't smell until I was about 8,I didn't and still don't know what it is like to smell.I'd love to be able to,this is my first time even looking it up on the internet,all the time I complain about not being able to smell but I never thought to look it up.
I would love to smell,even if it was just for an hour,it's not fair that must people can and I am for some unknown reason one in the minority that can't!I don't get depressed and all that crap but I do get annoyed,not even badly sometimes that I can't.

→ Posted by: Eileen at February 25, 2006 8:26 PM

still no results from the inhaler.
i need to see an e-n-t doc soon.
the latest posts are true to life.somehow we'll survive-we always do.the person who finds the fix for this problem will be a rich man.
take me there!!!
i'll pay the price.

→ Posted by: tom at March 1, 2006 1:24 AM

I lost my ability to smell/taste approx 8 years ago. The specialist said that my sinuses are swollen and irritated and that they didn't know what I was allergic to. Besides taking steriods (not really a long term option), there was nothing that could be done. I too live on texture.

Occasionally my smell comes back for a few minutes (say once every few months or so). I rush around eating and sniffing things as quickly as possible. Interestingly I read on a website somewhere that Wheat and Dairy allergies can cause smell/taste to go. I've been experimenting by cutting out wheat as much as possible (ABSOLUTELY NO BREAD). I've now been smelling fairly constantly for nearly 4 days. I have to work out if it's wheat. That's my only experience or advice I can share. (except that I made a jungle curry and was overwhelmed by the variety of flavours). Not smelling or tasting sucks big time!!!! Good luck to us all. Never never give up!

Lees

→ Posted by: Lees at March 1, 2006 1:43 PM

Im 16 and since i was born i had no sence of smell, my parents didn't beleive me for 12 years. Not smelling dosnt bother me, because i dont no what its like to smell and on the plus side i hear often that things smell like shit, well guess what i cant smell shit.

→ Posted by: Graham at March 22, 2006 2:26 AM

Im 16 and since i was born i had no sence of smell, my parents didn't beleive me for 12 years. Not smelling dosnt bother me, because i dont no what its like to smell and on the plus side i hear often that things smell like poo, well guess what i cant smell poo.

→ Posted by: Graham at March 22, 2006 2:26 AM

I'm 13 and I've had no sense of smell ever since I was born. My parents never believed me until my mum looked up on the internet and found out information about people not being able to smell. So yeah just thought I'd like to say that this is a good website.

→ Posted by: Megan at March 27, 2006 7:52 AM

I just did a search out of curiosity. My daughter was asking me about my lack of a sense of smell.

I am 48 and have never had a sense of smell. I cannot smell food, gas, flatulence (!) flowers, perfume, anything. Odd thing is that I can taste, although I have trouble differentiating between different fruits. I think I may rely more on texture and the knowledge of what I'm eating. If I were to eat a Starburst (as someone else said above) then I would not be able to differentiate between flavors.

At this point in my life I don't want to be able to smell. I think it would be overwhelming. The irritiating thing is that when I tell people that they think that I'm joking. They ask one or more of several questions:

1) Can you taste anything?
2) Have you ever been able to smell?
3) Can you smell THIS? (at which point they shove a flower or something under my nose)

That's my story. I'm interested to know there is actually a name for this.

→ Posted by: Craig Cowing at May 23, 2006 12:44 AM

Hi, i'm 30yrs old and believe it or not to this day, l have always thought that l was the only person on this planet who couldn't smell and as a result l have always kept it a secret. my question is, is there a treatment?

→ Posted by: mark at May 30, 2006 5:46 PM

All these posts are very informative for me. For most of my life (from about 6 years on I suspect based on some evidence I'll explain) I've never had a sense of smell really...

Sort of.

See, there are a few things I can smell, if they are strong enough. And they are only things I remember being able to smell when I was very young. I can smell cooked steak, old books, storms, and baby powder. I can remember these from when I was very young.

I have heard that smell is the strongest sense connected to memory. That makes sense since I can only smell things I remember smelling up until I was a certain age.

Also, I can smell things that aren't there if I remember them. It's like I can re-create smells through memory without them being there.

As an example, I work at a Little Caesar's, I'm around pizza all day. I go home at the end of the day and all my friends say I smell like pizza and so does my car because I deliver now. I can't smell any of it at all. But then the other day I saw an old commercial online for the old Domino's logo guy the "Noid", and all of the sudden wham! I smell pizza, very strongly, like I'm in a room made of it. Now every time I see the Noid or think about it I can smell pizza, but that's the only time I can. So obviously I had a sense of smell when this guy was still in the commercials.

Also, when I was about 4 years old I remember it raining and then I went out to our garage and the floor was wet and worms had crawled in and died on the cement. Whenever I think about that I smell rain even if it isn't raining. Other than that when a storm is approaching I can smell it, sometimes before anyone else strangely enough.

Another instance when I was very young was when I randomly decided to open an old bookcase in our house with a bunch of really old dusty books inside and I was overwhelmed by this smell I now associate with old books. I can smell them when I think about that event, but usually not besides.

I've been using things like the scenarios above to try and pinpoint a time when my smell went away.

As for taste I haven't noticed anything. I enjoy the taste of food quite a bit. I'm the biggest eater in my family.

Like people have said above, I too have to frequently ask friends to smell my clothes and surroundings to make sure I don't reek. I worry quite often that people think I'm an unhygienic slob if I don't smell fresh. A lot of times a friend will smell my shirt and say it smells really nice, like new laundry, and I had no idea.

I joke about my lack of smell with my friends. They ask what I can smell and I usually just say "hot or cold air", which isn't really smelling :)

Sometimes they think I'm making it up because I don't like when people smoke. It's not the smell that bothers me, it's just the smoke in the air bothers my airways.

So, anyone have any suggestions? I should probably see a doctor or something. It doesn't concern me a whole lot most of the time.

→ Posted by: Jim at June 18, 2006 11:35 AM

i fell off a chair a couple of weeks ago and cracked the back of my head on a stone wall. Since then i cannot smell or taste anything... i am devastated... please help!

→ Posted by: rob at June 20, 2006 7:46 PM

I am 30 yrs of age and have never been able to smell , although i can taste and i love and appreciate flavour.My first realisation of my abnormalty was when i was about 5 yrs of age.I remember lying in bed one night and getting a strong taste of Cheese.I called my mother and told her i can taste Cheese , with which she replied "Dont you meen you can smell it , for i am making cheese on toast".

From that moment on , i had confused my ability to taste odors in the air with smell.Up untill i was about 10 yrs of age , i believed i could smell.It wasnt untill people had asked me if i could smell the flowers or perfume (while holding it under their noses).I could only ever taste it on my tounge if the odor was lingering in the air , even from a distance i would be able to taste an odor in my mouth , but never had i had a sensation in my nose.

I too ask the wife if i stink , but as for gas , i can most certanly taste gas in the air , even if left on for a moment.Gas (although some what tastless) gives me a drying sentation in the mouth like nothing else.

........as for someone "passing wind" , yeah!!, i can taste that too!!...But dont think for a second that the same particles that makes that odor , isnt swirling around inside "your" mouth also!! ;)

→ Posted by: roy at June 22, 2006 1:30 PM

In November 2005, I sustained a concussion by slipping on water, getting out of a hot tub.
I was not aware that I had lost my taste and smell for several days.

I had just recovered from having two surgeries after it was discovered that I had cancer so I thought that food just didnt taste good for some reason.

About four days following the injury, I sprayed perfume and I couldnt smell it, then I sprayed bathroom spray and couldnt smell that, so I connected that with why food wasnt tasting good either.
I went to my kitchen and took out several items:
garlic, ketchup, mustard, onion, salt and pepper and sugar, honey etc and discovered that I couldnt tell the difference with anything.
Needless to say, I was shocked and went straight to my computer and put in:
"Loss of taste and smell following head injury"
and there it was, exactly what I didnt want to see.
So I called my doctor and went in and she said that if I didnt get it back in a few months, more than likely, I would never get it back as I could have severed my olfactory nerve.
In the meantime, I have lost 30 lbs, which I needed to do anyway, but as so many articles have said, nothing sounds good so I dont eat. I try to eat healthy though and I have energy and am getting exercise every day.
I have burned many things in the oven, or left candles on and using ammonia is a no no for me as I learned the hard way, by choking before I realized what was happening
I have to have my husband taste milk or food in the refrigerator before I cook or eat.
My cooking is less than desired (good deal)
so he does alot of the cooking except for when I follow a recipe.
I have dealt with this very well. It bothers everyone else worse than me. Everyone feels sorry for me but I have had to have a good attitude, considering that I could have been in a coma or could have died from the injury or from the cancer.
This is not the end of the world and I am very blessed in so many ways so those of you that have this problem, focus your mind of what could be worse.
I depend on texture and color to make my meals happy anymore. I love strawberries and can feel the seeds, and watermelon because it is red and juicy. I choose crunchy foods alot

→ Posted by: Polly at July 6, 2006 3:52 AM

Wow, I'm so glad to actually see something like this! I've never been able to smell and I finally only looked it up today, it's oddly comforting and even exciting to see that other people have this condition and the same problems that I do. I, too, feel that I can taste just fine without being able to smell - but I am still very texture-oriented. Something was smoldering in my lamp once and I didn't catch it until my sister smelled the smoke down the hallway; I had no idea. And as for personal hygiene... it's absolutely mortifying, not being able to smell. Not only do I not know if I stink, I don't know how bad it really is to stink! I'm always terrified and I ask my family to smell me all the time.

→ Posted by: Liz Nugent at July 24, 2006 8:29 PM

Wow! It's been over 3 years since this post went up live. Tom, thanks for enlightening me on this. I never knew of anosmia, and this thread has definitely made me think twice about it being a disability.

I'm 28, and I have never had a sense of smell; at least for as long as I can remember. Not sure of the cause, but like some of you out here, I don't think I'd want to be able to smell, ever. To concur, it would definitely be overwhelming. I guess it's probably different for some of you that lost the sense sometime during your adult life. Hang in there, guys!

This thread is an amazing collection of experiences - it's reassuring to see lots of similar experiences. Thanks again!

→ Posted by: Praveen Rajan at August 12, 2006 6:57 AM

Praveen:
Isn't it great to be able to talk to someone who experiences what you do every day?
I wrote right before you and have waited and waited to see what anyone else was writing but I guess they havent found this site yet~

I discovered that I need to eat on bright, colorful plates and colorful glasses to drink out of , to make it more pleasant and appealing.
It's all in the head, I know, but alot better to eat something that you cant taste or smell, on a bright plate than a paper plate or dull, boring plate.

You can get in your pitty pot and rot, or you can decide to take over and overcome the problem by being more positive. Dressing bright, looking good, taking care of your body, exercising and that helps in making me feel better.

Losing taste and smell isnt half bad if you change your attitude and go forward, focusing on much more important issues, like living!

Take care
Polly

→ Posted by: Polly Broyles at August 19, 2006 4:53 PM

I can smell things but only on rare days. I think it has to do with hay fever problems. I quit smoking 3 months ago and I thought I would be able to smell a lot better but so far not so good. I wish I could smell like I used to.

→ Posted by: rich at August 26, 2006 11:47 PM

Polly: Indeed, it's awesome to find so many similar experiences out here. Glad to have come across this thread, as it serves to help everyone.

I'm sorry to hear that you lost your sense of smell. But I'm definitely glad to read that you're still intact, and moving forward - that's the only way to go. All the best!

→ Posted by: Praveen Rajan at August 30, 2006 1:14 AM

lol well i was actually born with no sense of smell... so yeah. i guess you can call that a birth defect?

→ Posted by: rachel at September 7, 2006 3:13 AM

Have chronic sinusitus and just had nasal surgery,still that hasnt worked and continue to use Nasalnex cortisone and salt spray but still have the problem HELP! had this problem for 30 year now 40 and cant smell.Drives me mad.May consider monthly injections for desencetize has anybody had this done?

→ Posted by: DEBORAH PINNEY at September 9, 2006 7:19 AM

A year ago Aprip my dog tripped me and I hit my head on the concrete driveway. Ever sense then I can't smell or taste. Cooking is one of my great loves and this is devastating. Has anyone had any luck wit hlipoic acid?

→ Posted by: Barb at September 11, 2006 3:05 AM

Has this be made a disability yet? I would like to get some of them government checks.

If I was blink I would get a check! Shit...this is what I call DISCRIMINATION like hell. They even have EATING DISORDERS...so I mean...waht the hell is going on here people. I cant fucken smell!

→ Posted by: eron at September 11, 2006 9:34 PM

Hi, Cannot remember ever being able to smell..and would love to know if I can? How many times do you have to tell people you cannot smell!!Please tell me the secret remedy as im told smell is an important factor to your love life.Am i missing out!!

→ Posted by: georgie smith at September 14, 2006 5:43 PM

Thankyou so much for this site. I am from Australia and am unable to find many sites in Australia that cover this topic. I lost my sense of taste and smell about 6 months ago and am finding it very frustrating. I have had an MRI and found out that I have chronic sinus infections with nasal polyps..I was given a corisone spray and antibiotics. It has cleared my constantly runny nose but still the taste and smell are gone. Its weird, nothing tastes like it used to - everything has a weird smell and taste. Perfume, shampoos and cleaning products all have a strange unpleasant smell, yet dog poo and other unpleasant smells that I used to be able to smell just don't exist anymore..atleast it make cleaning up my back yard from the dogs a lot less of a hassle. I can't stand the taste of softdrink either anymore, it has a really odd taste. I am soooo hoping and praying that one day my normal taste and smell will return. Its great reading here that I'm not the only "fruity" out there.

→ Posted by: nene at September 18, 2006 1:51 PM

This is incredible! I'm not an asnomiac, but I've never been able to smell skunk. It's not just that I can't smell it, I have no physical reaction to it (my eyes don't water, throat doesn't tingle, etc.). It is (I think) the only thing I can't smell. I can't find a name for it, but I did find that about one in a thousand people experience this. I've yet to meet any of them.

→ Posted by: Jenny at September 18, 2006 4:39 PM

Well you have met one now. Not only me, but my daughter can't smell skunk either. We have Never met anyone else who can't. My wife freaks out on it. We have a fantastic sense of smell in all other ways. What causes this? Just skunk? Why skunk of all things?

→ Posted by: john matthew at September 26, 2006 10:48 PM

Thanks for the site, I am recently asnomiac and don't know what caused it. I did have a stroke at around the same time. But what I can smell and it is constant for the last few weeks is a burnt smell, I can't describe it but it is disgusting. My wife says its not noticeable to her at all.
Any help would be appreciated.

→ Posted by: Dane Rush at October 3, 2006 11:10 PM

Hey, I can't smell skunks either! I have never smelled one my whole life, even when all the other people around me are gagging and running to get away from it-- I couldn't smell a thing! Other than that I have an excellent sense of smell and can distinguish between different people's smells, etc. Where did you come up with the statistic that 1 in 1000 people can't smell skunks?

→ Posted by: Chris W at December 8, 2006 7:25 AM

I have had basicly no sense of smell for my entire 47 years. I have reviewed the comments on this site, and I have to agree with almost all of them. The only time I have been able to smell, was during my 9 months of pregnancy. Once I gave birth, it went away. My husband will often comment about the use of chemicals to clean with and I now try to use only Green products or the cleansing wipes, to prevent fumes. And like the others, I to have gone most of my life without being able to smell a skunk. In the past, I have actually walked my dog to the neighbors house and asked them to smell the dog and let me know if she had been sprayed. Sure enough, she had been! People who do not have this condition, can not even begin to understand how frustrating it can be. Thank goodness both my Husband and Son have extremely sensitive ofactory senses, and are able to tell me if something is burning on the stove or if anything else is wrong. It's pretty sad when you have to have your 12 yr old confirm if a fragrance is pleasent or not, when you are shopping at a dept. store.
I was thinking of contacting a Hormone specialist to see if they have done any studies to improve the lack of smell, since it seems our senses improve during pregancy. It would be nice to get some feedback, to see if anyone has tried this?
Thank you for this website!

→ Posted by: Beverly at December 8, 2006 3:13 PM

I used to have quite an acute sense of smell. I live in a condo and park in a communal garage. When I first moved here I could always tell if someone had recently driven into or left the garage by the strong smell of the exhaust. Now I only smell the exhaust when it is quite fresh and even then it is more a sense of iritation than an odor. I am 60 years old and I wonder if aging plays a part in this loss. I am aware that one of the diagnostic checkpoints for alzhiemer's disease is loss of smell. On this cheerful note I sign off.

→ Posted by: tom at December 10, 2006 2:06 PM

My sense of smell and taste disappeared about 3 months ago following a severe cold and chest infection. When I say they disappeared, that's not true, everything smells and tastes the same, but I can't describe the smell/taste. I find it very depressing!!! I take it there's no miracle cure!!!

→ Posted by: Patrick at December 19, 2006 6:31 PM

yes i suffer from i can't smell a thing mine started about 2 yrs ago im 36 now and yes it's awful i had sinus surgery cause my nose was completly blocked i thought maybe after the surgery i would get my smell back but that didn' happen iv'e been taking all the medications you could possible think of the only thing that really helps is predisone after taking it i could smell a little for about a week and after the prescription is out my sense is smell is gone i really hate not being able to smell and it's kind of sad when my 4yr old ask me daddy smell this he don't understand i cant smell anything really heartbreaking.

→ Posted by: michael a woods at December 30, 2006 9:28 PM

im amazed that ther is more then just me who cant smell i didnt even know ther was a name for it until i heard about it a few days ago on a "who wants to be a millionaire" game.

i dont think iv ever been able to smell im 14 and i started realizing it wen i was about 7 it was kinda weird cause i didnt think it was possible but i used to have alot of pets, like 12 of them in one room most of them were lizards, frogs and snakes. One day i was playing with my snake and my mom cam in and said wat is that horrible smell she was so disgusted she went outside for a few hours and waited for me to clean all the cages. i didnt even smell a thing. this is wen i really realized it and started to test my self. and found out everthings the same.
i didnt start telling anyone until i was about 9. pretty much no one believes me i dont even think my parents do. so i pretty much given up on tellin people but now readen all this makes me feel not so alone.
so thnaks everone for postin this and information about Anosmia.

and enyone who thinks this is all fake well its not, NO JOKE!!!

→ Posted by: clayton at January 11, 2007 1:37 AM

I AM 32 AND I LOST MY SENSE OF TASTE COMPLETELY AFTER HAVING SINUSITUS. MY SENSE OF SMELL HAS SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASED. THIS HAPPENED AROUND THANKSGIVING OF 2006. I AM GOING TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY DOCTOR TO SEE WHAT IF ANYTHING CAN HELP ME. SINCE I CANNOT TASTE FOOD, I DO NOT FEEL LIKE EATING A LOT. I PRAY THAT SOMETHING WILL BE FOUND TO HELP THIS. GOD CAN AND WILL MAKE A WAY!

→ Posted by: KIM at January 14, 2007 1:37 AM

Can being exposed to someone who smells bad (contiunously) make you lose your sense of smell? I'm just curious about a neighbor of mine who's lived with his mother who was the most lothesome pile of putridescence ever to be moved in a wheelchair (he was totally dominated by her to boot). To this day he doesn't have a clue that his apartment stinks like hell.

→ Posted by: Bob Masterson at January 14, 2007 11:16 AM

As far as I know I've never been able to smell, my mother and brother both have bad sinusis but apart from the occaisional blocked nose I'm fine.

I have the same anxiesties as most people, but being 15 mainly BO. I've just seen a doctor, she told me to see a neuroligist, some friends say I should see an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor.

Any help?

→ Posted by: Harry at January 18, 2007 11:16 AM

I tripped in a pot hole which was in the middle of a crosswalk. My ankle sprained and I fainted hitting my head on the street.I was knocked unconscious and awoke with a gash on the back of my head and a serious pain in my neck, shoulders and head.

That was a week ago and I seem to have lost my sense of smell and taste. After reading all your posts I am afraid I have lost them for good. I am 25 and for any of you who have lost these senses as adults, what value would you put on these senses? to I know they are priceless. However,If the city is at fault for my accident, causing me to lose these functions, is it appropriate to file a lawsuit?

→ Posted by: Michael at January 19, 2007 7:26 AM

thank God there are others like me to understand what i ve been through.i have no sence of smell & i can't diff one scent from another.i just smell nothing.i am very particular about personal hyg this has made me a neat freak.i do not discuss it with ppl with the fear that i may be ridicled.i fake smelling a lot & i check the gas most of the time.i need help.

→ Posted by: mama gyn at January 21, 2007 11:31 PM

ATTENTION-ATTENTION!!
I PROMISED IF ANYTHING POSITIVE HAPPENED AND IT DID.
I SAW MY EAR NOSE AND THROAT DR. 2 WEEKS AGO.HE WHIFFED SOME XYLOCAIN INTO MY NOSE AND THEN INSERTED A TUBE WITH A SCOPE ON IT."VERY COMMON" WERE HIS WORDS WHEN HE TOLD ME I HAD NASAL POLYPS!!!!!
CAN WE FIX IT DOC-I SAID.YES WAS THE RESPONSE.
HE PRESCRIBED A CORTISONE SPRAY.NOW PLEASE KNOW THAT IT TOOK 2 WEEKS TO START SHRINKING THE POLYPS AND I'M SMELLING THE SMOKE FROM THE WOODSTOVE AT OUR HOUSE RIGHT NOW!!
SO I ASKED THE DOC-WHAT'S THE WORST CASE SCENERIO HERE?JUST OUTPATIENT SURGERY WHERE I'LL GO IN AND REMOVE THE POLYPS AND YOU'LL BE GOOD TO GO.
HE DESCRIBED POLYPS AS PIMPLES INSIDE OF YOUR NOSE THAT BLOCK THE SCENT FROM REACHING THE SMELL SENSORS IN THE BACK OF THE NASAL CAVITY.
GO TO THE DOCTOR!!!!GO TO THE DOCTOR!!!GO TO THE DOCTOR AND SMELL THE WOODSMOKE-TASTE THE BEER AND BEST OF ALL--THE WHISHEY.
TO HELL WITH THE FLOWERS!!!IT'S JANUARY IN MICHIGAN ANYWAY!!
THERE IS HOPE-GO AND DO IT DAMN IT!!!!!!

→ Posted by: TOM at January 23, 2007 12:47 AM

these are avalible in the US:
1. stoves that do not have pilot lights. they have electrical starters. this is great.
2. carbon monoxide detecters... there are some that can detect gas as well. for those that do, buy 2. one a ceiling level and one at foot level (gas is heavier the air)
hope this helps

→ Posted by: Matthew Wilson at January 29, 2007 6:46 AM

I just got over a very bad virus and have not tasted or smelled anything in over a week. After reading all of these posts I am terrified that I am never going to get these senses back. Before this happened I used to take smell and taste for granted - as does everyone who has smell and taste. I am hoping it will come back because I can't live like this anymore. If anyone knows anything I can do Please let me know - I will greatly appreciate it.

→ Posted by: Michelle at March 18, 2007 6:30 PM

Yay! I found someone else who can not smell. On a whim, thought I would check on-line and this is the first sight I have found. I live in Califonia and I am cracking up at all the gas stove issues. Never even thought about it myself. I am 46 years old (female) who was born without the sense of smell. Like others, it was something I was not really aware of until I had my first child and everyone made comments on how wonderful babies smell. It made me sad as I realized that I could not smell my own child and that all the flowers and perfume that I was exposed to as a child had never really had an impact on me. I wondered why my Mother would hate a perfume that a boyfriend gave me or vice a versa. I just stopped wearing any. Anyway, I finally went to a doctor for an examination (in 1985) and he told me that it most likely occured when I was a fetus. He said that the nerve for smelling is the only nerve in the entire body that if not repaired within 6 weeks of an injury,it can never be repaired. Not sure it that is still true today. He also said to count my blessings and be happy that it was not one of my other senses (I have great hearing and 20-10 sharp shooter vision). In addition, he said that if I could have it repaired that it could be very difficult and overwheming for me. That I might get ill everytime I smelled something etc. I was content with that. Later in life I read that 98% of the reason we pick a mate is due to smell. Oh wonderful. What if I woke up and smelled my husband of 20 years and went yuck? I also know that memories are triggered by smell and that I use music for memory. I hear a song and I can tell you what year and what season it came out. That is my memory sensor. Every song I hear brings back floods of memories for me. Thanks for letting me share and I thought the nerve damage information would be helpful.

→ Posted by: Denise Williams at March 31, 2007 12:36 AM

Polyp removal doesn't always return sense of smell. Mine were removed 18 months ago and still no smell even with daily Nasonex sprays.
I have a blog for anosmia if any cares to read my struggles with it
Anosmia Blog
Take care

→ Posted by: Mike at April 12, 2007 10:29 PM

I'm like most people who have come to this site, I'm 25 and have never been able to smell. I've known most of my life that I wasn't able to, but was extremely self-consious about it, especially when none of my friends would believe me. Now it doesn't bother me at all. I tell my friends and they can choose to believe me, most of the friends I have had for a while just suddenly say, OH! That makes so much sense now as they think about certain times when I wouldn't say anything about a candle or refused to smell something simply because I couldn't.

I've never thought about asking for help for it all the same, I've always known my dad has similar problems and learned recently that my uncle does as well. I do have a few fears now that I have talked more in depth about it with some friends, one that it would be overwhelming. But also that it would be temporary. I don't mind not having what I will never miss.

The connection between taste and smell makes more sense to me now that most people believe me and I ask them questions constantly about food and cooking. When I reheat something in the microwave I can tell if it's warm by if I hear it pop, but my roommate would catch it before me saying that the food smelled hot. This would result in a huge series of questions, like do frozen things smell too? I never liked kool-aid because it tasted like a dull sugary water, and even now reading through some posts I am amazed that some things can smell even before they are openned.

In high school for a discussion prompt one day, the teacher asked how you would describe the color blue to someone who was color blind. Everyone was left speechless while they thought, and in the end, no real answer was given. My first thought had something to do with everyone's inability to describe how something smells to me, or my inability to explain to my deaf friend why drums in band sounded different than steel drums. It's funny to think that I can empathize with her even though I can hear, I can imagine the vast amount of smells I am missing out on because I know the extent of sounds she is missing out on. Essentially anyone with a sense-loss or a disability of any sort can understand exactly what we feel.

→ Posted by: Sarah at April 16, 2007 4:23 AM

This is for Michelle who posted on March 18th. I too just got over a cold and have had a diminished sense of smell and taste. I can still smell colognes if I put them right up to my nose, but most other things I either can't smell, or they have a different smell.

I saw my ENT doctor and he prescribed PREDNISONE, which is an oral steroid. It seemed to restore at least a bit more of my smell and taste. You may want to ask your doctor if this would be appropriate for you. Also Ive heard zinc can help for some people.

Michelle, understand this. Don't give up hope!!! It's a well known fact that even if you had some damage from the virus, the olfactory nerves in your nose can regenerate. One day when you least expect it, you might start smelling normally.

Take care

→ Posted by: Joseph at April 18, 2007 3:17 AM

I fainted in a store three weeks ago after throwing up all night the day before after a bad meal and had a severe head injury. When I opened my eyes in the ER, my ears were clogged and I was very dizzy, not to mention the severe bruising and pain at the back of my head next to my left ear where I hit the ground.

I also lost my sense of smell and most of my taste, which is very dependent on smell. I can only taste the main four; salty, sweet, sour and bitter, but no flavor. CT scans show a fracture in my skull (temporal bone) from hitting my head so hard on the floor of K-Mart(never liked that place!) and I am still dizzy and spinning. I am scheduled for more tests for balance.

ENT doctor I've been seeing says there isn't much hope for recovery as far as the loss of smell goes but we're still trying steroids. I finished a 6 pack which didn't seem to make a difference. Now I'm on a 12 pack Prednisone but I started smelling a horrible nauseating burnt/chemical like poisonous smell for the past week. It's very hard to breathe. I'm desperately seeking some help and recovery but my doctor isn't so good. He's an Ear Nose Throat specialist and said "I don't know what the nose has to do with the ear!". He doesn't do any smell tests either, so I'm trying to go to a Smell and Taste Clinic to get further evaluated.

If you know of any good doctors that could help, please let me know. I guess I need prayers too. I can't take this poisonous smell any more which makes everything taste like that too. I also have soreness and burning in my palate for the last few days for no apparent reason.

Has anyone had similar symptoms? Has anyone suffering from the same nasty burnt smell got rid of it? How long did it last? I don't know how long more I can stand this nauseating smell. I smell nothing else.

I used to have a very sensitive nose and strong sense of smell, so it's extra hard for me to cope with this situation. I feel like I am stuck in a poisonous bubble where I can't even breathe. I'm a 33 year old female who has never suffered from anything remotely similar to this. Anyone ever gained their sense of smell back after a head injury?

→ Posted by: Ipek at April 25, 2007 12:33 AM

I fainted in a store three weeks ago after throwing up all night the day before after a bad meal and had a severe head injury. When I opened my eyes in the ER, my ears were clogged and I was very dizzy, not to mention the severe bruising and pain at the back of my head next to my left ear where I hit the ground.

I also lost my sense of smell and most of my taste, which is very dependent on smell. I can only taste the main four; salty, sweet, sour and bitter, but no flavor. CT scans show a fracture in my skull (temporal bone) from hitting my head so hard on the floor of K-Mart(never liked that place!) and I am still dizzy and spinning. I am scheduled for more tests for balance.

ENT doctor I've been seeing says there isn't much hope for recovery as far as the loss of smell goes but we're still trying steroids. I finished a 6 pack which didn't seem to make a difference. Now I'm on a 12 pack Prednisone but I started smelling a horrible nauseating burnt/chemical like poisonous smell for the past week. It's very hard to breathe. I'm desperately seeking some help and recovery but my doctor isn't so good. He's an Ear Nose Throat specialist and said "I don't know what the nose has to do with the ear!". He doesn't do any smell tests either, so I'm trying to go to a Smell and Taste Clinic to get further evaluated.

If you know of any good doctors that could help, please let me know. I guess I need prayers too. I can't take this poisonous smell any more which makes everything taste like that too. I also have soreness and burning in my palate for the last few days for no apparent reason.

Has anyone had similar symptoms? Has anyone suffering from the same nasty burnt smell got rid of it? How long did it last? I don't know how long more I can stand this nauseating smell. I smell nothing else.

I used to have a very sensitive nose and strong sense of smell, so it's extra hard for me to cope with this situation. I feel like I am stuck in a poisonous bubble where I can't even breathe. I'm a 33 year old female who has never suffered from anything remotely similar to this. Anyone ever gained their sense of smell back after a head injury?

→ Posted by: Ipek at April 25, 2007 4:55 AM

What you might be experiencing is a condition called "Phantosmia" Translated: Phantom smells that are often noxious and unpleasent smelling and only you can smell them.

It might also be "dysosmia" which is a distortion of whatever you're smelling. The good news is that there are medications that can help. It's believed that the terrible smells and tastes eminate from the fact that your olfactory neurons were damaged and the brain isn't correctly processing the smells. Certain "anti-psychotic" medications have been known to elimnate or lessen this condition. You should speak with a physician who specializes in smell and taste disorders.

Another good point, often what you're experiencing is the first phase to the recovery of your taste and smell. I'm sure it must be awful to go through, but rest assured there is help.

→ Posted by: Joseph at April 28, 2007 2:22 AM

To see all these comments is staggering, I'll explain.... I've been through WAY too much-and survived-(with no change in sensory perception TILL NOW)... By this I mean I had a brain haemmorage in 2002(as a result of an A.V.M in my thalamus), radiotherapy-(gamma knife) in 2003, attacked and had a craniotomy to have a clot removed in 2004, 'recovered' from all this and now had a bike accident and fractured my skull. My sense of taste and smell is as if it has 'shifted'...everything tastes and smells disgusting. Weird thing is, it took a few days to happen after the injury. Everything has a vinegar sort of smell and taste. I've thrown up spontaneously just at the whiff of certain foods. I cannot distinguish between anything. Everything is just not there apart from a vinegar sort of smell. I say smell but it is more like an awareness than a smell, my hands stink, my flat stinks, everything is stinking of the same sort of horrid smell. This is making eating a very unpleasant experience and i'm losing weight at a very worrying rate. I am going to the doctors on monday to see if they can help, reading the comments here have helped psychologically---slightly, and as a long term smoker the benefits of this are uncanny......I CANNOT smoke.....as crazy a world we live in I didn't think it would take something as crazy as this to stop smoking but hey, it's done the trick. I've had to chew the gum like crazy for a week but i'm beginning to feel the benefits of not inhaling clouds of smoke on a regular basis. WHAT A LIFE. I'll update the post when i see the doc. A BIG THANKS to all the people out there that have previously posted comments.

→ Posted by: Neltek at May 12, 2007 7:20 PM

Score another one for people who can't smell skunk. In general, my sense of smell is pretty normal, maybe just a bit less than ideal. However, I can't seem to smell skunk. Not to complain... it's mainly a good thing. I don't know anyone else with this oddity.

→ Posted by: Brian at May 14, 2007 6:47 PM

hey is it true that some people dont have smell sense.

→ Posted by: Jennifwe at May 16, 2007 1:29 AM

I have nver been been able to smell. I only taste things like salt, bitter, sweet, and they have to be very stong for me to taste them. I often leave out spices and flavorings because I don't know they are there and if I do use them a lot of the time I use too much. When I use bleach I almost always use too much. Sometimes I get embarrassed about not being able to smell and someone will ask me to smell a flower and I pretend I can smell it and say "Oh that smells good" when in reality I don't really know if it has an odor or not. Sometimes not being able to smell is a good thing, like if we hit a sunk it won't bother me. I have lived for 68 years this way so I guess I have be lucky. No food poisoning and well like others I have worried about gas appliances and body odor I just compensate for it and stay extra clean and only have electric. However,I have burnt a lot of food because I couldn't smell it burning. Oh and pop corn I guess is really bad for some. Thank you for listening to me, I am glad I found this web site.

→ Posted by: emily at July 3, 2007 12:54 AM

Hi. I just found out that my 7 year old son has no sense of smell. It's great to have some things to read about it.

→ Posted by: Jennifer Johnson at July 9, 2007 8:09 AM

Hi! almost 10 years now that I can't smell. I have nasal polyps and was operated last April 24, 2006 thinking that I could smell after my operation but still the same. Plese help me. I am worried because I have asthma. I can't smell to avoid alergies which could trigger my asthma.
thank you.

→ Posted by: marilyn at July 10, 2007 9:45 AM

Hi! I can't smell for almost 10 years now. I have nazal polyps but it was taken out by operation last April 24, 2006 with hope that I could smell again but none. I am worried that I"ll be attacked by my asthma anytime due to alergies from different harmful orders that I cannot detect. I need help

→ Posted by: marilyn at July 10, 2007 10:23 AM

I also have an alergie on sweet scents and afraid of getting astma. Every time before flowering I have to use special medicine and think there is no other variants.

→ Posted by: CreditGuide at July 12, 2007 8:37 AM

MY CURE FOR LOSS OF TASTE AND SMELL...I lost my since of smell and taste for 8 months, I always just figured it was my sinus acting up, but my family had a bar-b-que- one day and everyone was saying how good the bar-b-que had smelled and i couldnt smell anything. Next day i went to a ear nose and throat doc and he tells me that 8 of my sinus were infected. He put me on some meds ''i forgot the name of them'' and also i had to irrigate my nose twise a day with warm salt water . ''useing a douche bag.'' Hold ur breath and let the warm salt water run up each nostril'' This had to be done twice a day. My sinus infection was gone but still could not taste or smell. How my smell came back!!!LISTEN... One day i got really sick, felt like i was catching the flu and i went to wal-mart and bought some over the counter meds called Coricidin cold and flu. I took these pills for 3 days as directions said. For 3 weeks i have been able to smell and taste normally. I hope this story can help someone because i know the frustrating feeling. I pray my smell and taste stays normal. Sometimes something simple can cure you instead of all these test out there. I would tell anyone to try the Coricidin cold and flu pills. it cant hurt.

→ Posted by: pow76 at January 3, 2008 4:10 AM