After being anosmic for many years, I finally went and saw a
specialist. The problem seems to be inflammation that blocks the flow of air
to the olfactory mucosa and/or which pinches the olfactory fibers as they pass
through the cribriform plate. Surgery and systemic steroids allowed me to
regain my sense of smell, but then I would lose it again until I got another
shot of steroid. I added to my treatments weekly allergy shots, allergen
avoidance, intranasal steroids and antihistamine, nasal irrigation, and
singulair. That combination appears to be working well, as I have not needed a
steroid shot in several years now. Many others have traveled this same path,
but the combination of treatments that works for one person might not for
another.
Those who become anosmic following brain trauma (severing the olfactory
fibers) are unlikely to regain their sense of smell, but a few claim to have
done so. Those who become anosmic following an uri may recover the sense of
smell after a year or two of anosmia, with parosmia preceding the recovery.
Parosmia must be really awful, I can only imagine how bad it is. I don't know
about recovery following anosmia caused by intranasal zinc.
Cheers,
Karl W.
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Sunday, July 05, 2009 9:40 AM
To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS)
Subject: RE: [tips] anosmia
How did you get your sense of smell back? That seems more noteworthy!
Was there a particular reason you only lost it temporarily? I thought once it
was gone, it was gone for good.
Annette
Annette Kujawski Taylor, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology
University of San Diego
5998 Alcala Park
San Diego, CA 92110
619-260-4006
[email protected]
---
To make changes to your subscription contact:
Bill Southerly ([email protected])
