Loss of taste and smell post haemorrhage aneurysm

Hi Ambrosia,

Jenny started a conversation about the loss of taste after her most recent stroke. It may be a good place to start

StrokeLine 1800 787 653 will also post some info and advice.

I hope that you get some more comments soon. 

Diana 

Hi Ambrosia,

Thanks for sending your enquiry through to EnableMe. It is good to hear that generally your recovery from your stroke is going well.

Loss of taste and/or smell is one of the less common side effects of stroke but it can have a big impact on quality of life post stroke, particularly if you are a lover of food and cooking, as you have mentioned you are. Unfortunately there are no specific treatments that can help correct loss of taste; however, the good news is, many people find that their taste does improve over time. It is a bit of a waiting game though.

This fact sheet from the UK Stroke Association outlines some helpful tips that may be worth trying in the meantime to help you gain as much satisfaction from your food as possible.

It may also be worth chatting with your GP about other causes/contributors to taste changes such as oral hygiene or medications.

Best of luck returning to enjoying your favourite foods and treats.

If you would like to discuss this further please contact StrokeLine on 1800 787 653.

The Stroke Connect Team

Hi,

i had 2 aneurysms & a stroke about 18months ago just started to smell things & my tongue half is numb half ok....the ok side I can taste. I use to love hot things now need to wait for it to cool e.g. Coffee... water/soft drinks in a cup with a str

Hi Joanna and the stroke connect team,

Thank you very much for replying to my question and situation. It sounds to me that I have to wait and hope for the best.  I don’t have any definite or high expectation, and I’m trying to stay positive so I can have a full recovery. 

I’m sorry that your tongue is half numb Joanna, I hope that you’ll get better soon. And it’s so frustrating that you can’t enjoy hot food anymore.  I know that loosing a sense of taste and smell is a lot better than loosing other senses such as, vision or hearing. Nevertheless, not being able to taste a chicken or a potatoe or a chocolate still frustrate me :(

Thanks again 

Kind Regards

Ambrosia

Hi Ambrosia,

Here are some more answers from Facebook:

Karen Bayly After my stroke many foods tasted unpleasant to me and quite different to pre-stroke taste. Ultimately my GP and I worked out it was a side effect of one of my medication. Wishing Ambrosia well xo

Janelle Hill Had a haemorrhage (caused by a cavernous angioma) last December. Couldn’t task anything sweet but it returned after a couple of months , and it took a week or so to really come back to normal. Wonderful to taste chocolate again. So fingers crossed for you.

Shelagh Brennand For Ambrosia...good on you for reaching out for support in these early weeks. I know many who have had similar experiences and hope you get some relief knowing that others have suffered similar symptoms. Good luck in your recovery. Shelagh

Cate;  I experienced the same after my clot. Things tasted “off” when they weren’t etc, I was throwing good food out thinking it was off ... & my sense of smell was also affected. It was very frustrating. 12 months after my stroke I started seeing an acupuncturist & my sense of smell & taste returned with 24 hours. It was unbelievable. I’m not saying this will work for everyone but it worked for me. I now have ongoing acupuncturist session to help with general well being & nerve pain. I hope Ambrosia finds some relief as food & taste as some of the greatest pleasures in life.

Diana 

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for sharing your experiences with me, I appreciate the time and the care you put into your responses. 

Now that I've heard your stories I feel quiet hopeful now, that one day I might gain my sense of smell and taste back and enjoy life a bit more.

And thank you Diana for forwarding these answers to me. 

Regards

Ambrosia

You just keep going on with life...I also loved my food cooking & all... hopefully 1day it will come back fully. We are the lucky 1's.