Hi

I just wondered if anyone has experienced an improvement in their sense of smell, as I have, rather than a decline and what is your take on this.

I have always had an average sense of smell, but have noticed over the years that since starting DRT I have periods when I can sense smells that others can't. This was the case a few months ago but to such a degree that I was concerned I was experiencing olfactory hallucinations (phatosmia) and although it can present in PD, I possibly had something other than idiopathic Parkinson's.
However, I was making an Indian meal, the house was full of the aromas of pungent spices, as I was stood over several cooking pots I suddenly smelt the delicate fragrance of orange. I immediately thought "not again, this ain't good " but I then turned to tell my daughter who had entered the kitchen and saw that she was about 6ft away peeling an orange.
Basically I was able to detect the scent of an orange from 6ft away while stood over a pot of curry !
There have now been other examples where I have been able to confirm what I am smelling is real.
I suppose the only explanation is that it is a product of the meds .
Anyone else experienced or come across this phenomenon
Rempatterson, can you offer an opinion as I recall you were involved with research connected to this topic. cheers
Nigel

Nigel,

I had lost my sense of smell over the years. Never thought much about it, but when I finally ramped up on my current Sinemet levels, it returned. Utterly amazing. Still very muted, but somethings I can pick up on.

I noticed also strong acids have a 'taste'. Lemon, tomato, onion, etc.... oh I love hot peppers, but much hotter than the rest of the family enjoys.

Vitamin B2 brought my sense of smell back. I wasn't looking for it to do so, but I took my first one (100 mg) and the next morning I could smell stuff that I hadn't apparently in a year or two.

Since then I spent about 6 months taking B2 every day. I found that it amplified my pains as well as sense of smell. I have been able to taper down to nothing now and still have my sense of pain and sense of smell.

Tom,

Cheers Pal, you always reply so precisely to my posts, just the info I am was looking for. My taste has also changed, I used to enjoy a single malt scotch but now prefer the sweeter American whiskeys . I used to love British Ale but only rarely now do I think "I could murder a pint just now".
This disease is like a thief that slowly robs you of even the simplest of pleasures.

Thanks BreezyRacer,

B2, thats intersesting, what led you to try that particular vitamin ?

I still love a nice pint. Ale, Porter, Stout please. I was at a trade show, and was fairly happy to see an open bar. They only had lagers! Thankfully the director is from Scotland, and was able to find a nice Guinness for me to enjoy!

There was a PD study out of Brazil in 2004 that showed up to 71% improvements of PD symptoms by taking B2 and abstaining from red meats and pork for 6 months. I figured it was worth a try, especially as I had been having stiff joints after eating red meat for a year or two. Brazil is a hot spot for PD.

The premise of the study was that red meat contains an ingredient called hemin, which if I remember right is an amino acid. Hemin is toxic to the brain but B2 stored in the liver neutralizes it, making it safe for consumption. Lots of PD patients have B vitamin shortages and respond to B1 and B2 so I guess the theory behind the study was replenish B2 in the body. Many of your organs do store various vitamins.

BTW, I've have treaded lightly on eating red meat but lately indulged without consequence. Oh, and BTW hemin is also used as a meat food coloring. It puts the "red" in red meat. Some processed meats, like chicken hot dogs and processed ham for instance seem to have a ton of hemin in them and did react badly to them. I cannot remember the brand though. If it's pretty red and processed I don't buy it.