Hi Anne
Thank-you for reaching out to us. Changes to your sense of taste can occur after stroke. It might be a diminished sense of smell, an enhanced sensitivity to odors or a change in your sense of taste. This can certainly have an impact on your appetite and how much you enjoy food. Your safety can also be affected, particularly if you are unable to smell fire, smoke or gas.
I have added some links for you to read through, which provides some practical tips on how you might be able to tailor your foods to maintain your nutritional intake and grade your exposure to different textures of foods.
I would encourage you to speak with your local GP. You may find it helpful to be linked in with a speech therapist, dietician or specialist clinic in your local area who can assess and provide individualised advice.
http://synapse.org.au/information-services/loss-of-taste-smell.aspx Synapse: Disorders of taste and smell
https://www.headway.org.uk/media/2805/loss-of-taste-and-smell-factsheet.pdf Headway: Lost of taste and smell after brain injury
https://www.epworth.org.au/our-services/rehabilitation/pages/olfactory-impairment-clinic.aspx
Please don’t hesitate to contact StrokeLine on 1800 787 653 if you would like talk to a health professional.
Regards
Carol, StrokeLine
Good afternoon Carol
Thank you very much for your response.
I had discussed with my GP when it was particularly bad (severity fluctuates). Initially very receptive and we did blood tests etc. On returning I was told there didn't appear to be a clinical reason for it and perhaps I should look at cutting down work days or retiring. Whilst I understand fatigue/ tiredness can play a part, I am sure that is not the answer.
I didn't quite know what to do as I do understand how lucky I am that my stroke was not severe. I felt that maybe I should just keep quiet and thank my lucky stars. Then I remembered the booklet I was given whilst in hospital and decided to contact enable me.
Thank you again for your response. I will read the articles you have sent to me.
Kind regards
Anne
Hi Carol
Forgot to mention that my smell does not appear to be affected at all, and my taste only marginally. My main problem is my tongue - it feels rough when I eat food, and sensitive as if it was burnt a couple of days ago and is now recovering.
Again, I will read the articles with interest.
Regards
Anne
HI Anne,
Thanks for your reply Anne. I am sorry to hear that you are not feeling heard anymore and that this is an ongoing issue. Further to Carol's response above, sensory changes can also include how we perceive touch, temperature and pain, as you have described. Some people experience these sensory changes in their arms and legs and others in the muscles of their mouth and face or other parts of their body. Unfortunately, sensation can take time to recover and for some people this continues to be an issue months and years down the track.
Check out our podcast on Touch and Sensation after Stroke for more information about sensory changes after a stroke, including thoughts from a health professional, researcher and experiences from a stroke survivor.
As Carol suggested you might find a speech therapist review helpful in problem solving some of your issues, particularly because your sensory changes are related to your oral structures.
Please contact StrokeLine on 1800 787 653 to discuss further.
Jessica (Speech Therapist, StrokeLine)
Thank you Jessica for your response. I will check out the podcast and look into contacting a speech therapist.
Thank you both for your responses.
Kind regards
Anne