Lost Senses through TBI (need help)
 

Good morning,

I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in April of 2011, after being assaulted in
Corvallis and rushed to the hospital. I was hit square in the face,
lost all consciousness, and cracked the right side of my head,
resulting in a micro fracture above the ear. I was in a drug induced
coma for two weeks and fortunately, after discussion, the surgeons
relieved pressure to my brain in which I actually avoided surgery.
During the whole time, I'm extremely grateful due to the fact that I
had such strong support from my family and friends, it truly does go a
long way. They certainly helped me while being at my side during
these tragic event and recovery, and I can't thank them enough. But,
it doesn't end here.

I thought it was a hospital sickness I left with, because I noticed I
couldn't smell or taste anything after the fact. Sometimes when we
get colds, these get lost temporarily. However, nearly two years
after my incident, I'm yet to perform both of these sense like the
ordinary human being. They've virtually been eliminated from my range
of senses. I've tried acupuncture's, massages, and even went to see
the Dean of Neurology's assistant at OHSU (Oregon Health and Sciences University). No luck. The gentlemen at
OHSU broke it down to me and basically described the incident as me
being extremely lucky that I didn't suffer even worse consequences and
it's a miracle that I'm in the physical/emotional condition I'm in. I
asked him what he'd do if he were me, and he said that there's nothing
out there that'll fix the condition I've suffered from. From my
understanding, after breaking it down into common sense terms, he
basically left it at the fact that they'll never come back.

I've come to terms with this condition, and if there are potential
solutions out there, I figured why not try them out? A family friend,
whose a spectacular masseuse in the Gorge, mentioned googling cranial
sacral and urged finding some new routes. I've read into it a bit,
and she even told me she knows of a person who suffered some taste and
smell loss, and it was regained through procedures. I honestly don't
know the details behind that individual, but I realize what I've gone
through is much more extreme, although I'll never rule out a
potential solution.

What have you seen/heard about individuals that have suffered anything
in the realm of what I have (if any), and what do you recommend? I'm
open for experimental purposes too if it means further solving the
lifelong condition I have to live with for the rest of my life.

Anyone? ....

Someone will reply yet... Have patience. :) welcome here! Many of us are current sufferers so we may not have much advice... For example, me! I have zero advice but I know I've been helped here many times by knowledgeable people.

They just haven't replied yet to your thread. Hang in. :)

While I have not experienced this myself I have seen similar posts. Like you it was years. One person stated an awful smell/taste associated with all food and drink. Another stated similar but also stated that after 2 or 3 years their taste returned to normal. Doctors for both also gave similar advice of not knowing when or if those senses would return. Sorry for not having better news but I feel knowledge is important.

Thanks, I don't mean to be antsy, hah.

I'm going to do the Craniosacral therapy I'm thinking, just because I'm covered under Crime Victim's. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out, I'll keep everyone posted.

AustinK,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear you are struggling so. It sounds like you have damage that ended in some dead brain tissue. I doubt Cranial Sacral Therapy will do anything at all for you, except if you have any neck injuries that have gone without healing. Don't let the CST try to adjust your cranial plates. You have suffered a skull fracture and do not fit the profile for letting somebody try to move your skull plates.

If you have Crime Victim's Funds available, you may see if OHSU can do a fMRI of your taste and smell senses. You may also see if you can get a consult with Michael Freeman DC at OHSU. He is a research specialist and does not treat as far as I know but his research has made him very knowledgeable.

I have a friend who has had no smell for 15 years. His life still goes on in full. In fact, it helps with diapers with his new son born last fall. I have extra sensitive smell that causes me to be overwhelmed by simple perfumes so there are other aspects of sensory dysfunctions.

Do you have any other TBI symptoms we can help you understand ? I would expect that you have many symptoms in your daily struggles.

btw, Sometimes, it takes a while to get a response. This forum is not like text messages or twitter. I am usually monitoring for newbie posts but today was a bad day for me.

Please let us know how we can help you.

My best to you.

Hey there! It's not that I have daily struggles, I've accepted the fact and simply have more important things to worry about :). Craniosacral Therapy doesn't seem like a route thus far, I just looked into it a bit and then the negative feedback it has received as well. It seems like it could be more of a scam, so I don't know where else to go really.

With regards to the Micheal Freeman guy, I may choose talking with him. If the gentleman I talked to while I was there didn't mention him, then chances are there's something they're all seeing that anyone else probably isn't.

There aren't other symptoms I've noticed. I'm fortunate to be "normal" still, with my emotional, mental, and physical status :).

Not been recovering for as long as you have but these long lasting symtoms are just plain nuts. After my accident for some unknown reason I didn't like the taste of milk. A bit bizarre I thought but hey I can live with that.

Recently to help my memory & planning ability I started cooking again. However, I didn't realise how much my taste had been affected until I made the most mild and tastless Chili - which is not what the wife said when she came down from the ceiling after trying it.