I can't smell

[Invincible2056]

hello all,

How are you doing? I have a question for you all. Has anyone lost their sense of smell either due to the virus or the meds. I am taking Kaletra and Truvada and where I used to have a very keen sense of smell. now, I can't smell.

Has anyone else experienced this? Is this the end of my ability to smell or can it come back? 

[thunter34]

Hey!  I haven't lost sense of smell, but I have noticed some changes in that sense...and especially my sense of taste.  I also take Kaletra, btw.  These two senses aren't diminished, they are in some ways more sensitive...though that isn't a particularly good thing.  I am overly sensitive to salty and sour tastes now.

[newt]

This is a problematic issue and a serious matter.

Putting meds aside for a moment, there could be other causes, and it is worth seeing a doc, even an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist to rule these out. A good ENT bod (or a neurologist) can do tests to work out if its perceptual, eg happening in the brain, or peripheral, eg damage to the olfactory nerves.

But if this follows on starting meds, then it's a possibility it's a result of taking them. But which drug? And why?

1. 3TC (and therefore FTC) and AZT have been connected to this.
2. Viread has been anecdotally connected to taste disturbance.
3. Norvir, the booster drug in Kaletra has also been connected to taste disturbance.
4. Some people seem to find Kaletra tablets upsets their  taste perception.

If it's damage to the olfactory nerves, then perhaps a type of drug-related neuropathy. Some of the drugs damage nerves, by interfering with fat metabolism and cellular energy supply. Although rare for this drug, the FTC in Truvada, is the most likely candidate in your combo.  However, Kaletra may be linked to this too.

- matt

[jonsi]

hey... i started just 3 months ago with the meds, truvada and stocrin (which is the same as sustiva in the US). Ever since, my taste and smell have changed in weird ways... meat specially tastes and smells different, as well as sweat, not only my sweat but other people's sweat as well. It's annoying.

I've talked to my doctor about it, and she just said it will go away after a few months... has anybody experienced this? i mean, the "going back to normal"? I know it seems really stupid, since it's the only side effect I can recall so far, but it is really annoying!

[jack]

I have almost no sense of smell. Lost it about ten years ago.
I also lost my sense of taste for about 6 months after having radiation treatment on my parotids. That  was reall wierd.

[Invincible2056]

Thanks all especially Matt for your feedback. I spoke to my doctor about this in the past but she was concerned about other things but now that I am doing well I will speak with her again about the smell issue. I will keep you all posted.

Thanks.