I have been without a sense of smell since a head injury in 1992, and have lived on my own most of that time since the accident. I have smoke alarms in every room and make sure they have fresh batteries.

It wasn't until I was in my late teens that I figured out that, since I had never smelled anything before in my life, it probably meant I never would - sounds like you may be coming to the same realization? Anyways, I'm 27 now and I am alone quite often at home since my husband leaves for work for weeks' at a time. I am always worried about not smelling smoke, gas, rotten food, or whatever when I'm alone, but this is how I deal with it: for smoke and fire, I have dog that sleeps in my bed. For gas, well, I try to be very careful when I'm lighting the stove and I have a detector (although I doubt it would detect it on time). to prevent eating rotten food, I keep only a very small number of items that are perishable for me to eat that week, and no matter what, after three days, I throw them out. No matter what. Also, I never let food sit at room temp for any reason, I thoroughly cook my food (10 min boiling time for soups for example,) and I refrigerate the rest right away.
I hope this helps.

I lost my sense of smell a few years ago when a semi ran a red light and hit my car. Also there are alot of things I can't taste well or at all.I miss garlic!! It stinks but what can I do? I get bummed out especially around the holidays with the food and smells I miss. I miss the smell of fall leaves, fresh cut grass,and coffee, and my favorite perfumes.

Yes, with Thanksgiving coming up I know it will be strange not to smell the turkey cooking. Garlic is one of the few things I get just a hint of taste of. Only about a half dozen things I can get a hint of flavor. Very discouraging.

Hello,
I have to say your message is exactly how I feel. All of a sudden my smell was gone just like that...I also wish there was a cure for this..it seems as though there should be. It almost feels like your living in a bubble. Sad....
Keep your fingers crossed that some day there will be help for us.
Take care,
Shelley

My son Mason 21 had a tramatic brain injury also 09-26-2008 he has lost all sense of smell and taste he still has dizziness and headaches..today we were talking after seeing the Neurologist that says the loss of sense of smell will most likely be for life..that losing the sense of smell is all of his sadness and noone understands how he feels..he wish he never told anyone now they ask him questions and question his loss all the time, he gets depressed at times and the attornies and doctors just brush it aside..they have know idea of the sense of loss!! He too is thankful to be alive! maybe he can have someone to talk to that understands...

I have had a series of infections;[Colds,etc],over the last three years, culminating in an Asthmatic condition plus Perennial Rhinitis. These symptoms have resulted in a loss of sense of smell and the only relief I get is when I develop acute congestion,(Sinuses and Chest), the Doc prescribes Prednisolone Corticosteroid tablets, and, as a result, I get my S.O.S back for a couple of weeks ad then it disappears again?

nasal flushing where you use a warm solution of salt and bicarbonate of soda, is very good for reducing rhinitis and it prevents infecions too, studies done in the uk have shown it to be as good or better in eliminating sinusitis as antibiotics, and it worked fantastic in me

I am 49 and have had anosmia for most of my adult life. Probably due to fx of skull when I was a child and second concussion when I was 25. ENT couldn't see anything structually wrong but told me the little hairs in nose were more than likely torn partially with first head injury and entirely with second. Had CAT scan and treated with steriod spray and zinc with no improvement. Also gave acupuncture a try. I also was a nurse, haven't practiced in 16 years, license lapsed with not enough hours. You are lucky you can still detect some smells, you might give acupuncture a try. I just wish something with stem cells would be available. I feel like I'm missing out on a big part of life.

Like you, when I smell coffee it's almost the same as the skunk smell. When I tell peo. that they think I'm nuts. I had a bad cold last march, took too much nasal inhaler, and since I haven't been able to smell correctly. Since you have the same smell "shift" as I it appears we have the same degree of damage. For several months I couldn't smell anything but part of the ability has come back too me. However, much of the smell spectrum is distorted for me now. I just started taking a steroid treatment along with zinc and ginko. I hope this makes some difference. Also, it's odd that i can smell very little putrication, i.e. poop, dead animals, etc. It might be good for us to correspond, epecially if you wish to use this topic for your PhD. I am 63 yrs old.

I have exactly the same problem as to coffee and bad smells. I am 61. I am curious if zinc steroid will work in your case.