I am new to this group.

I lost my sense of smell suddenly on 26 December 2008 - don't know why but it
was just after I had been discharged from hospital where I was undergoing tests
for a suspected brain haemorrhage (given the all clear after CT and MRI scans
and monitoring for several days). I might be a "headbanger" but I don't think so
as my headache and brief memory loss was 2 weeks' earlier. In March 2009 I
started experiencing phantom smells which I have had more or less every day
since - never the same and some better than others but none that are
recognisable. The ones like fumes are the worst and these ones make my food and
drink taste foul. I have seen a neurologist and an ENT consultant so far. The
only treatment has been steroid drops and saline rinses to no discernable
improvement. I am not aware of having any allergies although I had a very basic
allergy pin prick test at my first ENT appointment and at his suggestion tried
an exclusion diet for a couple of weeks. I am going to have a full allergy test
with a specialist on Monday in case I have allergic rhinitis as in the last few
days my eyes have been streaming most days and when I swallow I feel like there
is gunk in the back of my throat. My ENT consultant has also asked me to see if
I can get copies of my scans as it may well be that a problem with my sinuses
wasn't noticed when I was in the neurology unit. No evidence of sinusistis or
nasal polyps. Haven't had a proper cold for a long time although I feel like I
have a slight one all the time but I have had a problem periodically with my
left eye watering profusely for no apparent reason for about two years now. Will
let you know how I get on.

Amazing how common anosmia is. Often when you mention it the other person knows
a current or former sufferer. I had never even heard of it until I did research
on the net. It sure sucks! Fortunately my taste hasn't been too badly affected
so far. I am trying not to let it get me down.