Anosmia or Loss of Smell from Brain Injury

I had lost my sense of smell from a skull fracture when I was 5.  Two years ago (when I was 42) I was swooped by a nesting bird and it hit me behind my right ear and it really hurt.  It was only when I started mowing the lawn that afternoon that I realised I could smell the cut grass!  It has been nice to smell things that remind me of my childhood as it had been a really long time.  Kim B, Townsville,  Australia

yes i lost my smell august of 2014 and I smell a phantom smell but it smells like burning or something burnt when it does happen

I am so sorry for those of us that have lost our sense of smell. The only thing that my neurologist can tell me is that when my head impacted the asphalt, the thousands of nerves between my brain and nasal passage have been severed. This part of the brain will not heal, from what I am told. It has been a month and the irritability and short tempered attitude are beginning to reveal themselves. The depression is starting to kick in. I miss the smell of my wife's perfume, hair and several things throughout my life. All I sense is this constant phantom smell of an unfamiliar odor. Never had smelled this before, so not sure what it is, it's very hard to describe other than 'organic fleshy'. Anyone else?

To the journeyman iron worker, I lost my sense of smell in 2000 at the age of 17. I developed a terrible temper, I was impulsive, and I had to work hard to reprogram myself. I honestly woke up from a coma a completely different person. It has been just over 15 years and many people I know have never seen me angry, to the point of being made fun of at work because I never get mad. Keep your head up, I am a metal fabricator and when you feel your leg getting warm it means you're on fire! Having no sense of smell sucks, but on the other hand, I am still breathing, that's alot to say after falling out of a pickup truck!

I was in a bad car wreck dec 2012, fractured my skull on the mid to right back side of my skull. I was in a coma and life support for two days. I didn't realize I lost my smell til I was at my drs office days out of the hospital and he asked me if I could smell. I could smell nothing but I can still taste, only a little dulled.

Every now and then I would have a smell "stuck in my nose" is the only way to put it. I would not know what, when or where I smelled whatever the smell was but it would be there for minutes, to hours. Sometimes it would be so strong that everything tasted like it. One time it smelled like a smoking firecracker was shoved up my nose, and grass freshly pulled up from the ground. They would go fewer and further between. Sometimes I think its my perfume I can smell because it is always the same smell and I walk through my sprays. I would try plugging my nose to try to stop it, but it really does nothing. 

This could happen every couple months but recently when it happens it is for a long time and becomes almost debilitating. I have sometimes been able to pin point the smells. For instance, this lady smokes cigarettes in the stairwell and I will pass her sometimes. Yesterday I could smell cigarettes and the longer the smell lasted the stronger it got. It smelled as though a campfire was burning in my nose at one point, an hour into the smell. Then it gradually turned back into a cigarette. I read that using nose spray helps "block" your sense of smell. I tried but it didn't really work that time (had previously). 

I think I may try to find a good specialist to see if there are any remedies when these situations arise. It looks like my sense it trying to work but is very very confused and generally only regaining bad smells. It is a curse and a blessing and different for everyone, at least were all alive!

I never thought diesel exhaust would smell so good. That is what it has come to for me. Now I treat eating like it's a job. The faster I eat the less depressed I feel. I've become more irritable than depressed. I'm glad someone else knows exactly how bad this affects someone. The doctors sure and the hell don't.

On September 19th 2015 I was assaulted I was hit from behind. As I fell my head hit a car bumper and then smacked the pavement. My brain was bleeding from two different parts and I was minutes from dieing two weeks later I saw a neurologist and I have been told it might take up to 1 year and half to two years for my smell and taste to come back if they don't come back by then they never will I am a 26 years male I wake up every morning dizzy head pounding no smell no taste. It really does suck I really hope someone can either find a cure for this or know how two fix this I really do miss smelling coffee the fresh air my girls perfume I miss tasting food now I don't know what analyzing taste like someone please try and help us

My mom suffered a TBI and cannot smell and barely can taste. I remembered that there is a chiropractor in our town who specializes in Subluxation Therapy. He has helped two of my friends who were victims of whiplash, so I was wondering if any of you have tried this before and what the results were.

My husband lost his sense od smell and taste after a head injury 2 years ago. But last week he said he has a constant bad taste in his mouth. Metallic. Does this mean it might be improving?

While walking across the street I was hit by a car in 1995 and suffered a minor brain injury and a minor skull fracture. Immediately, though, I realize that something was wrong with my smell and taste sensations. A couple of days after the wreck, when I was out of the hospital, I bit into an apple and the taste was like I had bitten into gasoline. I recovered from all the injuries, and in the 20 years since I seem to have some measurable sense of taste, but for 20 years I've smelled nothing. I don't dwell on it, but I do miss what others mention: the smell of grass, the smell of my children, my own smell, the smell of my wife's perfume. On very rare occasions - once while walking down the street - I had a sudden tremendous smell of perfume, but it dissipated in seconds and when I tried to smell something purposefully, there was no sensation. Trying to explain what my taste level is is awkward. The best example I've come up with to answer people is to ask them "Tell me what green is". Think about it. Green is varying, from deep to bright, from yellowish to bluish. It's hard to put green into words. That's the way it is with how I can taste something; I taste pizza but do I taste it on a 10% level of how I did 25 years ago? I can't say. how much of my tasting skills have I retained? I don't know. I've grown accustomed to not being able to smell, and I tried to think it hasn't changed me. But perhaps it has changed how I interact, or perhaps I have underlying anger over it. It's just hard to say. But I could have died in the wreck, so I'm thankful. I came out of it with only a few scars to brag about, and the loss of one sense. I could easily have died at age 33 in that wreck. I didn't, and the sense of smell is a minor sacrifice when considered in those terms.

I previously wrote on April 27th, 2015 about my fall on January 6th and how I lost my sense of smell and partial taste. I also had this noxious smell and taste appear. I wanted to let everyone know that it does get better. Though I still have a peculiar smell it keeps changing and is much milder. I do get a whiff of certain odors at times. But they come and go. I went to an ENT doctor who told me that my olfactory nerves are going haywire. I asked why I can smell my husband's cologne (sweet smell) but not a flower and he said "certain nerves smell certain things". He said some nerves might be stretched so it's possible some will come back. He also said that where I am a year from January is where I probably will remain. It has been 7 months so I still have hope that I will still see more improvement. I do miss the smell of fresh air and flowers but there are a lot of people out there suffering with much more serious afflictions. Be hopeful!!

I wish I can smell. My sense of smell left in late December early January. I was visiting my brother for the holidays, A terrible flu/cold was going around my nieces had severely bad colds which I caught. It's now the end of July, my sense of smell hasn't return as of yet..... Hoping/Praying it returns, I know God's timing. I miss the smell of food of course but Perfume, people natural scents, outdoors, bar bee que.... List go on & on....

I fell on ice and had bleeding at the front and rear of my brain over 6 years ago. Concussion for sure with strong headache and nausea for a week.  Found out by accident a week later after headache gone that I couldn't smell most things - didn't realize it because my sense of taste was still present.  I can smell many things - savory cooking, coffee brewing, chemical smells, a skunk, however, they don't smell like they used to.  One strange thing, sometimes a certain smell will seem to linger, sometimes for days.  Currently, a musty smell I was exposed to for over an hour in a basement yesterday is still staying with me.  I know it's not present because my wife has a strong sense of smell.  I don't miss most poop odors - human and dog. I can also barely detect decomposition, as in a dead animal in the woods, etc. 

I lost my smell after head surgery, a few weeks ago, March 2015. I had a tumor removed from my meninges, very near to where the olfactory system is. My doctor said he hadn't touched the olfactory while operating, but I'm not so sure. I can't smell anything, not even the strong smells of coffee or ammonia. I miss smelling the scents of nature, like freshly mown grass, the salty sea, the trees and flowers, a summer breeze... it seems like I am walking inside a movie... What I do have is a constant sweet soapy/powdery smell and taste, which spoils even the faint basic tastes when I am eating something. I have this same taste/smell all day long and am growing sick of it... :((

I know I have to be grateful that the operation has only affected my sense of smell and not my hearing, touch or eyesight, and I am thankful. But I'm also very sad about not being able to smell anything.

I notice that people don't really understand the impact it has on my life... even my husband occasionally remarks "Why, you must be able to smell thís!" 

I hope and pray it will eventually be restored, although this might take months or even years... 

Hang in there, everyone! Glad to have found this post! <3

I came off my bike in January this year and was hospitalised for 2 weeks with a fractured skull, internal bleeding and bruising at the front of my brain. Aside from a few concentration issues and headaches, I have recovered really well - youth being on my side. Initially, I completely lost my smell and taste. Only after 8 weeks or so did I start to develop a constant sweet burning smell. I'm hoping it's the cells healing and signs my smell is returning. I find this constant smell sickening and I'm scared that I will be like this for the rest of my life. The response I seem to get is "you're lucky it wasn't your sight or hearing" which really isn't helpful! People don't understand the effect it has on you. I miss little comforts, like how my boyfriend smells or curling up in clean bed sheets after a long day or freshly mown grass. I recently celebrated my 21st birthday and it was sad to not be able to taste my cake or have a glass of champagne. I'm really struggling to deal with it so it's really comforting to hear that other people are in the same position and that things do get better. I wish you all the best with your recovery!

I lost my sense of smell in 2000.  I did not have a head injury , i had viral pneumonia.  It took me a while to realize this. it wasn't until a month later when I experienced a phantom smell of flowers and no one else could smell them, that i began to realize it was gone. Totally!! Having a brain scan confirmed this. It seems a virus can attack the brain also .  My sense of taste took about 5 plus years to go.  Now here is what I am tryng to figure out , It seems my nose is closing in, as though not needed anymore so close it in,  Is this normal, ,  I  now sleep with my mouth open, have trouble singing ( as though my vocal cords are drying out..  etc etc etc.   . maybe some readers have experienced the same,   thank you. marisol laux

I suffered a traumatic brain injury 2-1/2 weeks ago and as many of you, lost my sense of taste and smell. I am in pain, I am dizzy, my head is heavy and sore, my ear, neck and shoulders as well.  I cannot concentrate, I am forgetful, I am fearful of noises and of falling.  I pray to God that I will be myself again after this frightening accident and that I will be able to taste and smell life again.  Dear God, please help.  Sincerely.

December 19th.,  2014, I slipped and fell backwards hitting my head on the ice while I was curling. I suffered a severe brain trauma. 3 months later I still have no sense of taste or smell, but all else is just fine. I am lucky to be alive and with no complications. This could have been a lot worse, I have moved on, I suggest that a loss of sense and smell is not the end of the world.

Oh wow.... despite the depressing reality of our situations, I'm glad to have stumbled upon you all while researching my problem. Comfort in numbers I suppose.

I injured my brain 7 months ago during an epileptic seizure. Slammed the back of my head repeatedly against a concrete floor. For the first 2 months I had completely diminished sense of taste and smell. First a very small ability to taste returned. It was tiny, but a victory, and yes I'm aware this goes against the common knowledge that you can't taste without the ability to smell. It wasn't the same as before though. Then smell returned,lightly. The problem is for the most part, it is the same sickening smell and taste I've grown to hate. Almost everything tastes and smells the same. From my shampoo to burgers to fruit, etc....it's almost impossible to describe. A very distinct flavor/odor, and it's ever present. Even the air smells like it. 

My condition has "evolved" over the months, giving me hope for further improvement.There are a very select few things I consume that taste normal. Maple syrup, peanut butter, Dr. Pepper soda pop (no other soda tho..), and a couple other items I relish in eating now. I don't know why certain few items never changed, while everything else tastes/smells terrible. Every perfume smells identical and disgusting.

I know my window for healing is closing.I see everyone saying we have 6 months to a year to heal or be stuck forever with this. Nobody understands how mad I am. It's very frustrating. I've always enjoyed cooking for others. That enjoyment is gone as I cannot gauge flavors and smells. terrible affliction

I was in a accident 7 years ago where I fractured my skull and had a bleed to the brain, I stayed in hospital for a few weeks and experienced a change in my behaviour, my eye turned inwards for a month or two, and I lost my ability to taste and smell. At this time I was 14 years old and found this hard to deal with I suffered with depression for a long time and lost all of my confidence I found it so frustrating as to why this had happened to me and no one understood how I was feeling. I gave now accepted that I will never be able to taste and smell again and am trying to move on with my life however I do still suffer with very painful headaches down the left side of my face :( I used to think I was the only person in the world this happened to it is comforting to here all of your stories. One thing I have learned is that you have to stay patient and take each day as it comes as there is no cure must stay positive x

I found this blog very interesting. My husband was in a four wheeler accident in 2009 and has completely lost his sense of smell and taste. I met him in 2011 and its heart breaking that he has never smelled me or able to enjoy the flavor of the food I cook for him. He has a great outlook on it and says things could have been worse but I am still hopeful for a cure in the future. He is only 27 years old and I want him to be able to have these senses back. It's nice to know we are not alone when it comes to his condition.

Interesting to see so many challenged by the loss of smell, which I know eventually leads to the loss of taste. My anosmia came on gradually after a severe whiplash in a car accident that occured December 26, 2005. I first realized my loss of smell when I could not smell toast burning or something I left in the oven or on the stove burning. The loss of smell of organic smells like garbage, coffee brewing, etc. was the first to go. I could smell high smells like vinegar and bleach still. Within 6 months I could no longer smell any of those too. When I told my doctor he sent me to an ENT, who confirmed there were no ENT injury and my loss was put down to do with my age. Really, I was only 50 not 90!!! stupid eh? Any how, I did not know it could be linked back to the traumatic brain injury of the accident until going for surgery on my shoulder, which was also caused by the accident 1-1/2 years later, I mentioned my loss of smell to the anesthesiologist and he asked me if I had sustained a whiplash injury. Finally, I have an answer to my loss. Im sure my fellow anosmians can agree, we get tired of the jokes about bad smells, and explaining when someone asks to smell their perfume, flowers, etc. :-) I just pretend. Everything smells great to me.  I carry a timer on me when I cook, invested in more fire sensors for the house and ensure the gas barbeque is lit. On the positive side I was able to lose 70 lbs because I was not lured to the smells of popcorn etc. however, I do miss the homey smells of thanksgiving and Christmas. Has anyone lost their sense of taste for peppermint and garlic?

Lets focus on what senses we still have, touch, sound and sight and I hope someday, researchers will find a way to restore what we all have lost. KC