topic Re: I need help! Please... in Wellness

I need help! Please...

kitty4me — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 05:51:59 GMT

Hello everyone, Im in my mid 50's and recently had Bronchitis that al so turned into a Sinus Infection in the beginning of September. I was put on an Antibiotic called Azithromycin. Now here is the problem. Since mid September I have no sense of taste or smell. I called my Doctor and I was told thid isn't unusual and that as we age this does occur. She said it could take weeks to return. Well I habe a faint taste like it's sweet or salty but thts it. Strong smells I barely smell. Like Vicks Vapor rub really can't smell it. Has this happened to you? Thanks in advance.

Re: I need help! Please...

Nonametoday — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 06:55:31 GMT

this could represent any number of things, to just exactly what your doctor is telling you, that it will return. Some with sinus infections lose taste and smell for a period. However, if it does not return, it would be worth looking into with an ENT specialist, a GI doctor or a neurologist. Your own doctor can direct you to the appropriate specialty but do not worry so quickly as it could be just a season of the illness.

Re: I need help! Please...

cherry — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 08:57:44 GMT

Sometimes it can take a long time for your sense of smelll to return

I had Bells palsy, and it took me a very long time to get my sense of smell back

I think you should see someone about it, if you are worried , good luck.

Re: I need help! Please...

Katcat1 — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 09:01:49 GMT

@kitty4me, I never heard of losing taste/smell because of age. Rather, certain antibiotics can have an affect on you. I was on one that made most food sickening to me and also lost my appetite. Your dr. had to mean that the antibiotic caused your problem. If not, get a new doctor! Seriously, you do not lose your sense of smell or taste because of age.

Re: I need help! Please...

Plaid Pants2 — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 09:23:25 GMT

I think that it is possible to loose sense of smell and taste as we age.

Have you ever walked in to the home of an elderly person, and it stank to high heaven, yet, they smelled nothing?

Or they eat food that's past its prime, yet they have no problem with it?

Or, that they add more salt and spices to their foods?

Yes, I think that it's entirely possible to loose the sense of smell and taste as we age.

Re: I need help! Please...

Big Sister — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 09:30:10 GMT

@kitty4me, I would give it another month or so to see if it returns on its own. In the meantime, Google the name of your drug and read what are the side affects

Re: I need help! Please...

ID2 — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 09:30:16 GMT

@Katcat1 wrote:
@kitty4me, I never heard of losing taste/smell because of age. Rather, certain antibiotics can have an affect on you. I was on one that made most food sickening to me and also lost my appetite. Your dr. had to mean that the antibiotic caused your problem. If not, get a new doctor! Seriously, you do not lose your sense of smell or taste because of age.

You absolutely can lose your sense of smell as we age! Read:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2579627/

Re: I need help! Please...

jubilant — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 10:05:50 GMT

I agree with your doctor. I am 67. I have had this happen to me 2 or 3 times since I was over 50. One time it lasted almost 3 months or more! Mine never even turned into a bad enough infection to use antibiotics so they were not the culprit for me. I haven't had this happen in quite a while now. The only thing I am doing different is using a neti pot every night. It didn't give me my taste and smell back right away but I believe, over time, it has kept me from going there again.

Re: I need help! Please...

eyeron — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 11:10:53 GMT

Ask your doctor about Flonase.....a nasal spray. You can find it at the drugstore..... This may help a lot!

Re: I need help! Please...

GSPgirl — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 11:13:44 GMT

@Katcat1 wrote:
@kitty4me, I never heard of losing taste/smell because of age. Rather, certain antibiotics can have an affect on you. I was on one that made most food sickening to me and also lost my appetite. Your dr. had to mean that the antibiotic caused your problem. If not, get a new doctor! Seriously, you do not lose your sense of smell or taste because of age.

Yes, you do. I worked in a retirement home and couldn’t understand why the salt and sugar seemed to disappear so quickly on the table. The director told me it was because they lose some of their taste buds and have to use more salt and sugar to taste it. Seriously, are you a doctor?

Re: I need help! Please...

VaBelle35 — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 12:17:15 GMT

Some antibiotics make you lose your appetite, some make everything taste like metal.

If you research side effects of your medication, you will see pages and pages of them.

I would say if it doesn't get better by January 1, see an ENT.

Re: I need help! Please...

PINKdogWOOD — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 12:39:22 GMT

I've experienced some time in the past for a good while of no smell, no taste. Don't know what brought this on for me, I do believe I must relate it to using a nasal spray for years due to the onset out of the blue horrendously bad sinuses. After many years I stopped cold turkey the nasal spray and the sinus problems left too. Eventually my sense of taste & smell returned but I don't know if all of these were related or not - my guess is yes.

Re: I need help! Please...

Jackhound Mom — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 19:58:58 GMT

@kitty4me wrote:
Hello everyone, Im in my mid 50's and recently had Bronchitis that al so turned into a Sinus Infection in the beginning of September. I was put on an Antibiotic called Azithromycin. Now here is the problem. Since mid September I have no sense of taste or smell. I called my Doctor and I was told thid isn't unusual and that as we age this does occur. She said it could take weeks to return. Well I habe a faint taste like it's sweet or salty but thts it. Strong smells I barely smell. Like Vicks Vapor rub really can't smell it. Has this happened to you? Thanks in advance.

Hello Kitty,

I would go to an ENT ear, nose & throat if you have one in your town. An ENT diagnosed my Trigeminal nerve problem before my Neuroligist confirmed it. I also had Bell's Palsey and yes it does change smell, hearing and taste.

I've taken your anitbiotic for respitory infections and did not have the symptoms you are having.

Good luck to you and let us know how you are,

Cathy

Re: I need help! Please...

RedTop — Sat, 04 Nov 2017 01:23:42 GMT

I have a cousin who just turned 50 this year, who lost her sense of taste and smell over 15 years ago, due to allergies and chronic infections. There is one strong antibiotic that will briefly restore her sense of smell for the 10 days she takes it. She’s learned to live with her odd condition.

Re: I need help! Please...

cotton4me — Sat, 04 Nov 2017 15:55:17 GMT

Some info I found:

"Antibiotics that can cause smell loss include ampicillin, used to treat urinary tract infections and types of meningitis, and azithromycin, used to treat some ear infections as well as pneumonia."
From the Daily Mail (UK)

From RX List(of common side effects of azithromycin - https://www.rxlist.com/zithromax-side-effects-drug-center.htm

decreased sense of taste or smell.

Re: I need help! Please...

Bird mama — Sun, 05 Nov 2017 00:21:36 GMT

@kitty4me

I understand that this can be unsettling. In 2003, Biaxin must have been the popular RX to prescribe because me and my husband went to different doctors on the same day and came home with the same RX for bronchitis.

Biaxin gave each of us temporary hearing loss in one ear (not kidding you) and we had no sense of taste.

I can't remember how long it took to come back, but in time we could hear and taste food again.

Since then, I just tell people I have an allergy to it so they won't prescribe it again.

Re: I need help! Please...

kitty4me — Sun, 05 Nov 2017 08:38:52 GMT

Thank you everyone for all your post. I was on Azithromycin. It was a Nurse I talked to she didn't say because I'm older this caused my loss of smell and taste. She said this can happen as we age. My Oncologist is going to talk to my Primary Doctor about this. I just want to smell and taste things again.

Re: I need help! Please...

AuntG — Sun, 05 Nov 2017 10:30:51 GMT

I had no idea how common that is. Hope those senses return.

Re: I need help! Please...

Sweetbay magnolia — Sun, 05 Nov 2017 11:30:07 GMT

I haven't had a sense of smell in decades. It was weird at first but I've gotten used to it.

I can "read" scents like patchouli, geranium, mint - the stronger, more savory ones. Sweet, like freesia (and I love that) I can't pick up on.

Funny, though - I can remember the smells. I just can't smell them.

I can taste, however. I attribute much of this to genetics.

Re: I need help! Please...

Vivian — Sun, 05 Nov 2017 11:49:30 GMT

In 1996 I had sinus surgery. My surgeon told me it was the worst case he had ever seen. I won't go into gross detail about that but I will say the surgery was more extensive than expected. For one year afterwards, I had no sense of smell or taste. It was the only time I didn’t have to worry about my weight. Finally, it all came back, including my enjoyment of food. I think the inflammation and trauma were to blame. Although our sesnses wane a bit as we age, they don’t disappear entirely. Given my experience with all things sinus, I recommend that you make an appointment to see an ENT (ear, nose, & throat) specialist, also called an otolaryngologist. Good luck!