Strange smell with sinusitis...

[beanbag]

To the PH docs!

I've had sinusitis for the last couple of weeks and it's finally beginning to subside. The doc gave me some pills called Prednisolone (5mg), which are meant to reduce the swelling in my sinuses.

It seems to be working slowly but I've also noticed a very odd metallic taste and smell depending on where I am. Restaurants particularly and also fatty foods too such as crisps (salt and vinegar pringles for example), and also fried meats. Is this normal?

If it's any relevance, the pills are some kind of steroid but I've taken steroids before for medication and never had this. Or is it to do with the sinusitis and will go away once the infection clears up?

ta!

[The Major]

im guessing its the sinusitis as I took prednisolone for about 5-6 years and never had that problem.

but saying that, you could have a reaction to them, although I wouldnt think it would make you smell something metally

[BlackVanDyke]

I haven't to my knowledge ever had full-blown sinusitis, but I do get a bit 'sinusy' with colds and the like and I nearly always get that bloody smell thing. It's infuriating! For me it always goes away as soon as the general whatever-it-is starts getting better.

Medics - I've never come across any smell or taste in 'real life' that resembles it - am I smelling an actual smell that's being caused by the (viral?) infection or whatever, or is it purely a random neurological signal being generated by the inflamed bits in there?

[sawman]

I have had sinus issues for years, I no longer really sense of smell now, I recall that I used to get what americans call "an organic aroma" but now pretty much nothing at all.

Oddly I get the occasional day when I can smell things accurately, and invariably this is followed by a headcold within 2 days - funny things sinuses....

[beanbag]

Interesting replies. I'd rather not loose my sense of smell though!! There are some smells I rather like and this metallic smell isn't one of them!!

Somebody however pointed out that it could be down to having too much iron in my body along with the sinus infection??? I started taking Centrum to boost my body's immune system a bit as I'm not exercising right now because of the coughing and sinus issues so perhaps that could be it? I also eat a lot of green veg and spinach salads so maybe it's too much of something in my system?

[Firefoot]

When I had sinusitis I could smell and taste egg. It cleared as soon as the problem with my sinus did. Then when I had a really heavy cold and was all bunged up, I got the same thing again.

[R300will]

Given that most of your tasting is done by your sense of smell if your sinuses are badly infected the inflammation could mess about with your sense of taste for a while.

[littlegreenfairy]

The prednisolone left me with a strange taste and smell with the godknowswhattatwas head infection (throat ears eyes nose and lungs)

It does go away.

Mind you, I'm not entirely sure it was the drugs.... I was fairly fked at that point.

[beanbag]

It's official....strange smell has gone today and I'm massively relieved!

On Saturday I made some massively spicy lentils with all sorts in them and my sinuses literally exploded....Not quite the "final blow", but near as dammit!

Still on the steroids for today and then onto a nasal spray as prescribed by the doc. "Nasobec Aqueous", so I'm hoping I can get back to my cycling and I'll clear up once and for all...