Wellness

[kitty4me]

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.

[Nonametoday]

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.

[cherry]

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.

[Katcat1]

@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.

[Plaid Pants2]

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.

[Big Sister]

@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

[ID2]

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@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.

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

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

[jubilant]

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.  

[eyeron]

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

[GSPgirl]

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@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.

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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?