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Posted 10/12/2008 5:19 AM (GMT 0)
 

Hi all,

The last 7 months I have lost most of my taste and smell. Saw the neuro and he said these are not MS.  To which I replied, thats strange as I found them listed on the MS Soc web page.  Anyone had this and can I hope for the return of these senses?  Everything smells really clean and I do not smel bad things,like drains which is good and bad (don't know when something has gone off).  Occasionally smell something like jasmine, or my daughters fragrant hair when she hugs me, and then I think wow! thats great, & so intense.  Miss the smell of rain!

Posted 10/12/2008 5:29 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Popsie,

How can the loss of smell and taste NOT be MS related!?  I am so sorry to hear of this for you.  I do hope they return.  Let us know!

Posted 10/14/2008 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Popsie

Yes, this is a less common, but still known symptom of ms. I know of some who've lost these senses, but DID get them back over time. I wouldn't say for sure they will return, maybe they'll return to a lesser degree, but there is that chance. Take care friend and i'll keep u in my prayers.
Posted 10/14/2008 5:08 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Rhonda & Gretchen for your caring replies - I think you really make this site so helpful & worth visiting. I will let you know what happens with the taste & smell.
Posted 11/5/2008 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hello to all.

I have suffered from dysgusia(SP)- smell and taste disorder since Jan 03.  This is an auto-immune disease.  Usually after an individual has a rough viral flu or pnemoinia their taste/smell is affected, but returns to normal in a few months.  Of course I am not the norm and the longer I had it the more foods and bev I could not handle.  I ended up in the hospital in '04 and my weight fell from 287(on steroids from Sarcoidosis) to 85 pounds.  I could only handle hot lemonade - that's it.  Why?? My doctors guess as well as me was do to the fact I already had an auto-immune disease and it runs it the family.

After many years, and twixing medicines (After going to Washington D.C. to a specialist we started on Haldol) I started gaining weight in Jan 08' I am THRILLED to be weighing a normal weight. 

Did the dysgusia leave. . . .not all.  Smells and tastes of certain foods still turn my stomach.    But I can eat and drink some foods!!

Could it come back - ?????  I pray not and keep in my thoughts those that are going through this.  It is NOT fun.  It is energy sapping.

If anyone has questions. . .just post back.  I know quite abit about this and some of the effects it can give. 

 

Posted 11/5/2008 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Heddie

Welcome to the board! I've not heard of this disorder before so i did some research. I found that it can be a result of zinc deficiency as well as a result of some hypertension and anxiety meds like lithium as well as viral. Apparantly this can be permanent if there is damage to the nerves. I've included some links to what i found. Thanks for u'r post!

http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtPrint/WSIHW000/24479/29819.html?hide=t&k=basePrint

http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/dysgeusia.html

 

Posted 11/20/2008 4:29 AM (GMT 0)

Thank you Rhondah for answering back.  I also have heard that Zinc and Folic Acid can help in returning some taste and smell.  In my case it has not but I have not given up hope!

Heather turn

Posted 12/15/2008 1:09 PM (GMT 0)

Ronda,

Thought I would just put out there the amazing thing that we call our bodies.  To think that certain genetic problems run thru families is mind-altering!  My mother had MS, her mother had RA, I came down with Sarcoidosis, Dysguesia and Gastric Paraysis (in fact I am having my colon removed in the early part of Jan 09).  Two out of three daughters have Lupus.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if the men and women of science could come up with something to stop the genetic trate of all auto-immune diseases?  Oh well, until that time we all find that bit of strenght we thought we never had and continue to go on and enjoy life! yeah

Heather

Posted 12/15/2008 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Heather

Yes, u'r right....it'd be so great if we could somehow find a way to stop these things from being handed down to our family members. I have some history of autoimmune diseases in my family as well, tho not to the full extent u do, and can tell u that i've worried too about the chances of any of those things going to my children. Life would be so great 'if only' we could be always healthy and find ways to conquer anything as it comes up. That said, in some ways we do find good in bad. Here we all are looking for answers and connecting with each other. I count this as a blessing. All of u and the friendships i've made. Being sick is in no way a blessing, but we can glean good from bad if we keep our eyes open long enuf. Take care friend.
Posted 12/16/2008 12:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Rhonda,

     Thank you for your time.  Yes, we sure can gleen something good out of the bad and that is what we all need to focus on.

When we control our minds on the possitive, the road is abit less rocky!  These forums have been an absolute blessing to me!  They give you the power of information that is needed for yourself and the doctors you are seeing.  Most of the doctors that I have seen have not heard of dysguesia and without that information they are missing apart of the puzzle. Thank you Rhonda for helping to increase knowledge and for the support you and others give.  It means soooo much!

Merry Christmas,

 

Posted 12/21/2008 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Heather,
Its not often I can feel that I am pleased that I have MS but I can say that my loss of smell & taste is not as bad as what you write about. I still have some taste (about 40%) and no nasty ones like you describe. Everything smells clean but am not able to smell much at all. Hope yours gets better.
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