I lost my sense of smell four years ago. The doctors told me that it is natural and that it is not a sickness

case 0924

I tend to associate my gradual loss of my sense of smell with the dental surgery that I had about two years ago. Soon after the surgery I began to have problems with mouth ulcers and a saliva gland became blocked. These problems gradually eased following a range of treatments, but I began to notice a deterioration in my sense of smell. I did nothing about this as it didn't particularly trouble me at the time and I believed it would resolve itself eventually. It didn't and after about a year I decided to consult my doctor who referred me to a specialist. Nothing was found to be wrong and so no further help was offered. I have a permanent odor in the nose which is extremely difficult to describe and varies in strength at no particular intervals. I can only detect certain types of strong odors such as menthol. My taste buds are also impaired. This condition shows no sign of improving and I'm becoming extremely distressed and depressed. The loss of olfactory perception is affecting the quality of my life and I'm desperate to find a new source of treatment that might restore normality.

case 0925

At the age of 12 I learned that something is completely wrong with me. It was not until then that I discovered that I couldn't smell. Today, I am 21 years old and until now the only thing I figured out is that this "illness" has an actual name: "anosmia". Since I was born with congenital anosmia there is no help for me. I tried several things, have seen millions of doctors and specialists and even had surgery last year. But nothing helps. I have to live with that. But it is hard and unfortunately society doesn't really know what the loss of smell means for us affected people. I can't smell coffee, I can't smell perfume, I can't smell my own body and I will never be able to smell my own children. Sometimes, this feeling of being left out in a world that is totally focused on smell-related things makes me want to cry. I feel like an outsider. But since you can't see my illness nobody thinks about it and everybody forgets. So people keep asking me how I like their new perfume. Sometimes I just lie because telling my story makes me feel even worse and I don't want pity, I don't want to respond to the same questions over and over again, and I don't want the questioning looks in people's eyes starring in disbelief. Due to anosmia, my world is smaller, darker and sad sometimes. At times I have difficulties meeting new people because I am so unsure about myself, how I smell and how they will think I smell. It is a vicious circle you can't get out of. And it's hard to trust people and to love myself. My greatest wish (obviously right after being able to smell) is that society will know more about anosmia and that they are aware of us and that there is a broader support for affected people.

case 0926

I had a cold that lasted for about 25 days, during which I could not smell anything which in the circumstances (blocked nose) I thought was only natural and expected. What got me worried was that even after the cold had subsided, I was unable to smell anything. I realized a little later that I had also lost the sense of taste — I could only experience bitter, sweet, and sour tastes. Loss of the sense of smell at such a young age was something I had not heard of, although I did know that at an advanced age a diminished sense of smell is to be expected. I visited a specialist. I had no difficulty breathing, yet he told me that my nose was blocked and prescribed a nasal spray. There was no improvement whatsoever and I was referred to a neurologist.

case 0927

Six and a half months ago I fell and cracked my skull. I spent two weeks in the hospital before I left for rehab. Shopping toiletries for rehab, I noticed that all the body lotions smelled the same — like nothing. I had an eerie feeling, went home and stuck my nose in a bag of coffee: nothing. To this day nothing. Only phantom smells that usually last one or two weeks, changing from plastic-like to sickeningly sweet to soda bread. Sometimes I think I can taste things properly, but it's only things of which I know how they should taste. I can't determine anything I don't know, and I can't distinguish anything blind-folded or at the doctor's. I feel I can taste better somehow over the last months, but still nothing happens when I stick my nose in a bag of coffee or anywhere else.

case 0928

I was born without a sense of smell and it frustrates me because I do not know even the smell of my perfume. Only close family members know about my situation. I don't really discuss the problem with anyone because people don't believe that someone can be born without a sense of smell.

case 0929

I have nasal allergies and use medications to control them. A month ago I noticed that I can't smell anything anymore and that I have a bad taste in my mouth. It makes me very sad. I have seen a doctor for it, but there was no progress. This puts me in a very bad mood.

case 0930

I got a very bad upper respiratory infection and was given antibiotics, zinc, and a steroid nasal spray. When I first noticed I couldn't smell or taste anything, I thought it was normal. However, after three months I became worried and saw my doctor about it. He tested me by having me close my eyes and try to smell what I believe was fainting salt. I then saw a specialist and was checked for polyps and a tumor. From then on any doctor I saw didn't really want to talk about it because there's "nothing they can do about it". For the last six years my life has been very strange and depressing and I have a serious feeling of gloom and doom. I know I breath in things I would otherwise run from i.e. cleaners, smoke, etc. I used to love to cook and now it makes me feel vulnerable. The list of the ramifications of anosmia in my life is almost too long to spell out. I drag the thought of having no sense of smell around with me every minute of every day. I feel it is as great a disability as blindness for instance. I've sort of lost my will to live yet I wouldn't hurt myself due to the fact that it would hurt the people I love. My life as I knew it is gone forever.