Hi all.

I posted a msg a few days ago regarding my strange sinus problem ("does this sound like a sinus problem"). Anyway, it seems just a little better, I am not blowing that nasty green stuff anymore but I still have a strange stinging and sense of ammonia type smell when I sniff, together with a lot of sinus pain. However, my sense of smell and taste has completely gone, and I mean 100% gone. Apart from bitter/sweet distinctions in taste there is nothing. Even if I stick my head in a pickle jar say, there is still nothing. I am a little worried by this. I could understand it if my nostrils were blocked but they aren't. Sinse my initial condition is not as accute, I would expect my taste and smell to have returned a little.

I guess I'm looking for some reasurances here. Has anyone else had similar experiences?

I am off to the GP's tomorrow, but wondered if anyone had any thoughts.

Many thanks.

Well, if this makes you feel any better...I have heard of this happening after chronic sinus infections.

Have you spoken to your doctor about this?

Yup!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is definitely a problem after a nasty sinus infection. I fought that for several years before getting the roto-rooter treatment. It's interesting that you are getting the ammonia smell. During the early stages of my case, I had the most god-awful ROTTEN smell for months. It eventually faded, but so did all other smell sensations. I reached the point where I could open a bottle of Clorox and sniff it directly, and not sense anything. It eventually reached the point where I considered it a safety issue - I could not smell things that were definitely dangerous. One time, a friend climbed into my car and commented that he smelled a gasoline leak that was significant. I could not smell it at all.

I now have recovered a partial sense of smell. I even smelled that roast turkey on Thanksgiving day. Last year, I couldn't.

I posted some additional thoughts in your other thread. But keep bugging your doctor. Unfortunately, it can take a long time to get something done. They don't seem to take this sort of thing very seriously. It certainly affects your quality of life.

Thanks for the responses.

It's now 5 weeks since the onset of this. The latest situation is it's moved over to my left nostril now and also onto my chest. I went to see the doc's last week and they've put me on another course of antibiotics, this time called Doxyciline (100mg). I am half way through the course but don't notice any change really. My left nostril is behaving exactly the same as the right one. The good thing is that at least there is movement. My right is now mostly clear of the green stuff. It's just totally nasty green out my left one now!

My sense of smell/taste is still an area of concern. Although I am getting little periods where my taste and smell will return for like 20 minutes, then it will go again. It's just so strange how it can come and go so quickly. Like a switch almost. When it goes is the time I get the ammonia/stinging/burning like smell. It's all very weird. It's like little drops of acid that impair my senses. Does anyone know a good site where there is an explanation of the layout and workings of the smell and taste senses?

I think the thing that really confuses me is that I get times when both my nostrils are totally clear and I can breath so well, but there is a background burning and still no smell. I could understand impaired senses with blockage, but not when it's clear.

Sorry to ramble, but it's getting me really down now. I guess I should cling to the fact that there is movement and change of sorts. A lot of the facial pain has subsided somewhat too.

I am back to the doctors as soon as this antibiotic course has ended. This time I will push for a specialist referal. In the UK that will take about 6 months no doubt.

I will keep you updated with any developments.