I have no sense of smell

For as long as i can remember, i've had no sense of smell. I can't smell a single thing, not even really strong cheese !

Has anyone else got or had this problem ? I'm considering going to the Doctor, to see if they can do anything. But seeing as i've had it most of my life - will they be able to do anything ?

Also has anyone had anything done,to regain their sense of smell ?

Reply 1

loopymeg

13

I lost my sense of smell many years ago after a really bad cold, but it returned eventually.

However, since you can't pinpoint the time that you lost it, then I'm not sure what the problem is, sorry :frown:

Reply 2

isabella

OP

9

loopymeg

I lost my sense of smell many years ago after a really bad cold, but it returned eventually.

However, since you can't pinpoint the time that you lost it, then I'm not sure what the problem is, sorry :frown:

I was just wondering if the doctor will be able to do anything.
And whether anyone else has never been able to smell. And what they did about it.

Reply 3

Sarky

18

isabella

I was just wondering if the doctor will be able to do anything.
And whether anyone else has never been able to smell. And what they did about it.

Anosmia is the term given to what you describe. Try googling it and some more info may come up. You should go to your doctor if you want to know more about a possible cause. They may not find one but it's better to go and see :smile:

Reply 4

monkeymayhem

See a doctor, you may have bloked sinusis's, caused by a nasal polip or swollen passages, someone I knew had something like that, she had to have an xray done then surgerey to remove it, but was so happy-was able to smell for the first time in years.

Reply 5

mangomaz

14

This is really bizarre I cant imagine not being able to smell!
Definitely go to the doctor and see if they can do anything to help - you're missing out on so much I love smelling hehehehe... (smelling things not personally smelling myself. Obviously)

Reply 6

abacab

My old teacher had that if I recall correctly, I think it occured after an accident. Do you have any sense of taste as aren't these two related?

Reply 7

isabella

OP

9

abacab

My old teacher had that if I recall correctly, I think it occured after an accident. Do you have any sense of taste as aren't these two related?

I can taste somethings. But for example, at lunch i couldn't taste the Cheese. Mum was shocked as apparentley it was really really strong !

Reply 8

abacab

Maybe that would suggest it's a fixable problem then, for example something is blocked. I would just expect for you to have no taste at all either if it wasn't. Having said that, I'm no doctor!

Reply 9

Carl

14

mangomaz

This is really bizarre I cant imagine not being able to smell!
Definitely go to the doctor and see if they can do anything to help - you're missing out on so much I love smelling hehehehe... (smelling things not personally smelling myself. Obviously)

whatever, you're just covering your tracks now :p:

Reply 10

isabella

OP

9

I do get lots of colds,so maybe that has something to do with it ?

The worst thing about it, is that i'm really paranoid that i smell. :frown:

So wear different clothes everyday. And the washing machine goes on everyday. Also can't tell if food is bad (unless it looks horrid)

Reply 11

The Bishman

8

I have a condition called nasal polyps, its a growth of the inner lining of the nose that gradually gets bigger over time, some people have them and don't know for years, others (like mine) are so big that my nose (without surgery or steriod treatment) that the nose is constantly blocked and running.

This means I have no sense of smell and a very reduced sense of taste, my ears are also affected.

I'm not saying this is what is causing your problem you should go see a doctor but it could be a reason why you have no smell.

Reply 12

lucho22

13

isabella

For as long as i can remember, i've had no sense of smell. I can't smell a single thing, not even really strong cheese !

Has anyone else got or had this problem ? I'm considering going to the Doctor, to see if they can do anything. But seeing as i've had it most of my life - will they be able to do anything ?

Also has anyone had anything done,to regain their sense of smell ?

I think it can arise from long term heavy metals poisoning...So I'd say - go to the Doctor's and get them to run some tests..

Reply 13

AJ-1

My mom has no sense of smell, but she knows the cause of it, she hasnt had sense of smell since she was in college or something, but when she went doctors they sed she could have an operation, but she didnt have it becasue she doesnt want a nose operation becoz her sister has one for her sinus problems or something and afterwards her nose was worse or something. So i think you gta have an operation

Reply 14

isabella

OP

9

lucho22

I think it can arise from long term heavy metals poisoning...So I'd say - go to the Doctor's and get them to run some tests..

What sort of tests ?

Reply 15

white water lily

I’ve never been able to smell either, at all. I mentioned it to the doctor one time when I went for something else. I did get sent for some tests, -had to have a camera shoved down my nose… but they didn’t find anything. The best explanation they could come up with was that it might have been due to a childhood infection. They also asked me if I’d ever been dropped on my head as a child! They didn’t have any ideas about curing it. I can taste though, so I guess I’m different from you there.

The other day one of my lecturers mentioned something about how sometimes olfactory tissue doesn’t develop properly causing congenital absence of sense of smell. The condition is associated with infertility as well so I really hope that’s not what’s wrong with me! –or you :smile:

Its kind of annoying because he just mentioned it fleetingly and it wasn’t in the handout so I don’t really have enough to go on to look up about it. I might email the lecturer actually.

Good luck finding out what’s wrong. If you get any answers please post and say!

P.S. I get paranoid about my clothes smelling too :frown:

and about food... you're not alone :hugs:

Reply 16

isabella

OP

9

white water lily

I’ve never been able to smell either, at all. I mentioned it to the doctor one time when I went for something else. I did get sent for some tests, -had to have a camera shoved down my nose… but they didn’t find anything. The best explanation they could come up with was that it might have been due to a childhood infection. They also asked me if I’d ever been dropped on my head as a child! They didn’t have any ideas about curing it. I can taste though, so I guess I’m different from you there.

The other day one of my lecturers mentioned something about how sometimes olfactory tissue doesn’t develop properly causing congenital absence of sense of smell. The condition is associated with infertility as well so I really hope that’s not what’s wrong with me! –or you :smile:

Its kind of annoying because he just mentioned it fleetingly and it wasn’t in the handout so I don’t really have enough to go on to look up about it. I might email the lecturer actually.

Good luck finding out what’s wrong. If you get any answers please post and say!

P.S. I get paranoid about my clothes smelling too :frown:

and about food... you're not alone :hugs:

Well i hope we don't have that !!. I think i've always had this problem,i'm not sure what the doctor can do :frown:

But is def worth me asking a doctor i suppose. It would be nice to have a reason for my absence of smell.

I will def post if i get any answers. It's nice to know it's not only me who can't smell :smile:

Reply 17

Mum

I think you should see the Dr for a check up.

I am waiting for an operation to remove polyps, clear the sinuses and straighten the bone which is growing crossways inside my nose. I cannot smell things either and I am hoping that this will help ease my headaches, help my breathing and improve my sense of smell. I too am paranoid about smelling, although I shower / bath and change my clothes daily.

I will let you know when I have the operation if it helped.

Reply 18

dyslexic_banana

1

I have a weak sense of smell; I've always been the last one to realise, when someone lets off, and rarely does it get to me when someone does. The bad thing is that sometimes I don't realise when, say, I leave something which others can smell (i.e. if I leave the bin lid off, or if my laundry's in need of a wash, I may very well be none the wiser.....); the good thing is that I can happily sniff people's armpits/butts.

I don't know if there's any explanation for this, in my case.

Reply 19

isabella

OP

9

Mum

I think you should see the Dr for a check up.

I am waiting for an operation to remove polyps, clear the sinuses and straighten the bone which is growing crossways inside my nose. I cannot smell things either and I am hoping that this will help ease my headaches, help my breathing and improve my sense of smell. I too am paranoid about smelling, although I shower / bath and change my clothes daily.

I will let you know when I have the operation if it helped.

I also i can't breath through my nose very well.

So basically i have no sense of smell & can't breath properly through my nose :frown:

But i don't get headaches

I have no sense of smell

Related discussions

Articles for you