I have lost my sense of smell (COVID), this is what I'm doing about it.

As an ENT surgeon (Ears Nose & Throat), losing my sense of smell (anosmia) was quite an odd experience. In this video I talk how I am dealing with anosmia, what the medical advice is and what you should be careful of.
Watch until the end to see how I prove to my family in Australia and New Zealand that I really do have Anosmia.
I apologise for the rather long and rambling video, I had COVID for about 2 weeks when I did this video and I am clearly not quite back to full strength. the video was so long that I had to cut out a lot (so KZbin doesn't hate me). I will add the information I cut out in my newsletter email. Please sign up below.
NEWSLETTER
If you would like more information about anosmia and how to treat it please sign up to my Newsletter. Click on the link below.
cheerful-knitter-8774.ck.page...
Websites that deal with Anosmia
abscent.org/
www.fifthsense.org.uk/
Friends of mine who are known for helping people with Anosmia
Dr Simon Gane - • AbScent NoseWell ENT S...
Prof Claire Hopkins - • Abscent NoseWell: Prof...
Amazon links for people with Anosmia
4 pack Smell kit - amzn.to/3j8Tk20 (15% profit goes to 5th sense)
12 pack Smell kit - amzn.to/3vi6UoH
Gas Alarm - amzn.to/3lMOol6
Smoke Alarm - amzn.to/3vnlbjN
Chocolate box for friends who are isolating with COVID - amzn.to/2YSy09F
Hypertonic Sterimar - amzn.to/3vjXGIu
Otrivine - amzn.to/2YXB7gI
Pirinase Nasal spray - amzn.to/3pf74w9
** Disclaimer - The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional. **
Affiliate Links
These are links to amazon products. If you click on a link below then you will be directed to the Amazon product in question. If you then went on to buy the product, Amazon will provide me with a small commission (or finder's fee), which will not cost you anything. I will also not be able to collect any of your personal data, and the process will be beyond my influence. If you have questions about this arrangement please see the amazon page about this system. amazon-affiliate.eu/en/about-...
Camera kit
Canon EOS M6 Mark II - amzn.to/2KQjQPF
Canon 50mm F1.8 (nifty fifty) - The lens I use most of the time - amzn.to/3eI25yN
Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 - The lens I use occasionally - amzn.to/2M8RjFB
Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS M - amzn.to/3j1opDF
Amazon Basics Tripod - amzn.to/3cntUuU
OnePlus 7 Pro - amzn.to/36p6sty
Audio kit
Yeti Blue Microphone - amzn.to/3afEEJ7
Rode On Camera Microphone - amzn.to/3taVMIv
Tiger MCA68-BK Microphone Boom Stand - amzn.to/2Yw2NWc
Lighting kit
Neewer 2 Pack Dimmable Bi-color 480 LED Video Light and Stand Lighting Kit - amzn.to/3onLcu8
LED Ring Light 10" with Tripod Stand & Phone Holder - amzn.to/3j2cZiT
Laptop
ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo UX581 - amzn.to/2KUsfli
Software
Adobe Creative Suite - for talking head videos
Vyond - for animation videos - tracking.goanimate.com/SHF2
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:16 My symptoms of COVID
00:26 What is our sense taste?
00:49 Watch me eat crazy things because I cannot smell anything
01:50 What I did when I lost my sense of smell
02:26 Conductive vs Sensorineural Anosmia
02:41 How long until my sense of smell returns?
02:54 Olfactory training
03:47 Who to see about Anosmia
04:08 More tips about olfactory training
04:36 How to test for Anosmia (UPSIT)
05:41 Smoke alarms
06:08 Gas leak alarm
06:30 Bleach
06:46 Check food expiry dates
07:44 Keep yourself / home clean
08:04 What else I am doing to help me with Anosmia
08:43 Oral steroids / prednisolone for anosmia
09:06 Proving to my family that I have anosmia
09:47 Donuts and chocolate
10:11 Conclusion

[@alfalders3020]

Very sorry to hear you’ve been unwell, and especially with that particular condition. Thanks for this video. As always your videos are fantastic. Wishing you a full and speedy recovery.

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

Thank you very much

[@starbabymady]

I hope u recover how long it took if u did

[@mihirbasanth67]

Good to see you back to ur cheerful self. Thank you for another awesome video. I hope ur smell and taste recovers soon .

[@ozmunky]

Get well mate, wishing you all the best -- you are a star.

[@MountainDiva]

Get well soon! My daughter and her partner lost their sense of smell when they had COVID last year. It took about 6 weeks before they could smell again. Cheers!

[@carmelabarujel6611]

That gives me hope. Thank you.

[@robertaioana2209]

9 months here.....

[@raineyd4842]

Praying for you and your family.

[@cyoung5985]

Wishing you a speedy and full recovery Vik. My sis had covid and ended up in hospital despite having two jabs. She has reduced sense of taste and smell now. I will ask her to watch your video. Thanks.

[@berniel6962]

Sorry to hear you have lost your sense of smell. I hope it comes back soon, so that you can start enjoying meals again. Thanks for this very informative video.

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

Kind of you to write. Thank you.

[@Toquer88]

Hoping you and your wife get better sooner than later and recover those senses. So interesting that you can promote nerve recovery by memory recall. All the best 💟

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

It is odd that it works. A bit like relearning how to ride a bike or something. perhaps people don't bother with smelling things and the brain needs a little stimulation to get it going again? All that really matters is that it has been shown to work. I hope other people benefit.

[@corephysio8764]

You are an impressive Doctor. Thanks.

[@heathenbrewer7205]

This video came just at the right time, I’ve had no sense of smell and taste for two weeks now due to a COVID infection and I find it increasingly frustrating. I’m constantly trying to kickstart any kind of sensory recognition by sniffing everything to get something , anything from it. As a brewer I’m finding it hard to recognise delicate malt flavours and especially hop aromas as all my beers just taste sweet and bitter but that’s pretty much it. Thanks Vik for another well informed video👍🏻

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

I do hope you get better. keep working on it. it will take several months for you to regain your previous expertise, but you might learn new things in the process. good luck!

[@ChewieCycle]

How are things now?

[@faizaali5900]

I hope your sense of smell recovers soon . Can I ask how can you get the UPSIT kit please?Thanks for the video

[@jbosco3970]

Thank you for the videos - it has gotten better over the last few months. Sorry about Rona.

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

Thank you! I think I can smell something - but I think i'm kidding myself.

[@slicedpage]

Thank you for the update and we are glad you are on the mend. Yeah, I believe you, eat cream cakes and chocs to bring back your sense of smell. That prescription should be on the NHS. As for tomatoes, it would be interesting to know, once your olfactory is back to normal, will you be able to eat tomatoes or will the memory of you eating them trigger a reaction?

[@cherylm699]

Oh! I hope you get your sense of smell back. I had the same issue in January (just before I was able to be immunized.). It was very disconcerting. I would say that I’m still not fully back to normal.sometimes it can be a blessing though. Lol!

[@ChewieCycle]

Great video and cheered me up! Thank you 😊

[@SpaceCadet2569]

My daughter did this when I lost my smell and taste. She tested me with smelling all kinds of things I hate. Eating lost all enjoyment. I could sense salty, sweet, sour, spicy. Hope you feel better soon Vik.

[@jestes7]

how are you doing now?

[@drewsy4788]

Thank you for the videos Doctor! I am in London now and for many years I have been trying to have my tonsils removed since my tonsils are extremely large and touch each other and I frequently have tonsillitis. I believe my adenoids are large as well because I am only able to breathe properly through one nostril at a time and my voice always sounds nasally. I believe this has also caused me to have terrible snoring problems and sometimes sleep apnea. I am trying to get the NHS to cover me for surgery but they wont since my record of having tonsillitis isn't frequent enough for their criteria. I am truly worried about my ENT health and would like to get these removed. Any advice on how to approach the NHS again to get this removed? It would also be amazing if I got the surgery done by you as you seem so trustworthy and experienced.

[@bjgonyaw]

Hi! I was wondering if you recovered your scent loss?

[@RB621337]

Vik, I had a fall as a child and hit my right midfacial region. I didn't think nothing of it as a child, but over the years developed nasal obstruction. I have a C septum, my perpendicular plate is deviated and I think the nasal spine is also. Can this be fixed and straightened?

[@lightenup1]

I hope you will fully recover your sense of smell and taste soon. There's at least a positive side to this for yourself, being able to eat what you don't like eating before. 🙌🤩

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

Yeah I guess, but old habits die hard. I should be only eating raw vegetables and being happy that I cant experience the after effects.

[@adityavardhan428]

Get well soon!

[@cindyleesiuyin]

I hope you get well soon

[@mischievouscat296]

One thing I can smell (and I am very new to this problem) is the Tiger Balm -- a mixture of camphor and menthol. It is so bloody comforting to smell something!!! I can't get enough of it.

[@ChewieCycle]

I did wonder if you got your smell back Doc? Any joy?

[@Raya4eva94606]

How long did it take you to get your senses back?

[@harxmoond]

After a really bad car accident and concussion I've had issues with my sense of smell. Unless its right under me I cant smell it. I've seen an ENT and they say this can happen with aging but I'm in my 30s. I've had the smell test but it always come back as I can smell to a certain extent. I have a deviated septum and have inflamed/plugged nostrils, but that it.

[@arnibels]

It's been four months and I'm still waiting for my sense of smell to return; my sense of taste has never been the same.

[@kp2441]

How is your sense of smell now?

[@mitchelltanner6306]

Doughnut training yesss. Best consult ever! Prophylactic in my case.

[@Ihsaan1c]

Did you consider vitamin A nose drops?

[@Gornik92]

1 year without smell and taste . Do I have chance to ever recover ?

[@pimeye]

Get well soon.

[@TASIAawful1]

Been nearly 4 months now and my taste and smell still isn’t back fully but am now suffering with post Covid hair loss

[@Infurnas]

Has it come back?

[@steverock4329]

I got Covid towards the end of October and lost smell & taste. Even now, at the end of December, my senses haven’t returned. Pretty annoying to say the least but, on the plus side, peeling and chopping onions doesn’t affect me in any way these days!

[@carmelabarujel6611]

You're right about the oral steroids. My doctor put me on the steroids right away for my anosmia and it did nothing for the smell loss or taste.

[@tiffanysantos7661]

I actually just recovered from Anosmia last week. I am very fortunate that the loss of smell for me only lasted for 4 days. It came back slowly as I was recovering from COVID. I did smell training with rose, clove, eucalyptus and lemon every 4 hours, 30 second each, then in between I made an effort to smell other things in our home. ☺️

[@kazman_6899]

You did smell training for 4 days of smell loss? Lol.

[@buddybeetle]

This post 3 months ago. Update ? Did you get you smell and taste back ?

[@carmelabarujel6611]

This is the 4th time in my life with post viral smell/taste loss. My first time was in 2003, then in 2009, 2015, and now with Covid. Lol. Olfactory training does not work. I know because I went through this many times. The only remedy is time.

[@Raya4eva94606]

How long did it take you for each viral attack?

[@godiscominggetready8315]

It's been 14months for me now whenever I was sick I used to lose my sense of smell and taste for 2/3days but never this long I'm losing hope

[@chinzcute]

I lost sense of taste and smell the past 2 days and getting bad sore throat..

[@poolahpot]

Whenever i have gotten a cold or a flu i have always lost my sense of smell and taste!

[@thinkbeforesaying244]

I had influenza 22 years ago and lost my sense of smell for over a year. I still have a reduced sense of smell.

[@kazman_6899]

How'd you get some back?

[@aashajain7376]

I m smelling and tasting same in every food , I can't even eat any food of my liking, I have been living on energy drink please help me if you know the remedy

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

I don't - I would either try the stuff i mentioned in the video, or look at the websites, or speak to Simon or Claire. good luck!

[@thunderdragon8341]

2 weeks since I got Covid and still clogged ears coughing and no taste or smell

[@sciencelabvideosl7558]

Supposedly the nerves in the brain can be “reborn” with fasting. I don’t know if that helps. I’m not a doctor, and maybe I’ve heard it incorrectly. I really hope you regain your sense of smell and taste.

[@fredbecht2808]

Lost my sense of smell 16 years ago. It's a pain as your sense of taste suffers as well. And I love to cook! OUCH!! Cold remedy based on zinc!

[@mizaya2006]

I’m going 8mts no taste or smell.

[@lupitaocon6342]

Did you get your sense of smell back?

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

all back now yes, thanks for asking.

[@lupitaocon6342]

@@VikVeerENTSurgeon so soo glad. Praying for all senses to come back for everyone. Including me

[@gillianthompson6867]

@@VikVeerENTSurgeon hi how long did it last for

[@GM-ub8qy]

@@VikVeerENTSurgeon How long did it take in total?

[@CalumSmith-kw8zh]

Need my smell and taste back so so bad

[@anna-rexia]

I would have a thought that once a nerve is damaged, it can’t be repaired. I have no sense of smell or taste from covid 19. It is the most depressing of symptoms 😔

[@starbabymady]

Did it came back

[@kazman_6899]

I have heard otherwise. Your final smell receptors aren't actually at the top of your nose -- they are in your brain. Short of a violent physical injury that severes them, they're still intact. It's most likely inflammation that causes the occlusion down the line.

[@hepgeoff]

So, did you eventually get your smell back? I lost my taste and smell 3 weeks ago after having COVID. I'm telling the wife that an ENT doctor recommended I eat donuts. 🙂

[@toddboothbee1361]

Now is the time you and your wife can try that bean garlic casserole.

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

That glorious window of opportunity has passed. She's all better now and I'm living in fear.

[@alfalders3020]

PS. Now I’m thinking of chocolate coated donuts 😂😂🙏👍

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

Go for it! doctor's orders!

[@alfalders3020]

@@VikVeerENTSurgeon 🍩🍩🍩

[@Tairqthephotoman2024]

Dude I couldn't smell things into 5 days

[@quantumalight28]

Did you not get vaccinated before you got COVID??

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

I had the Pfizer vaccine in January 2021 and again in April

[@quantumalight28]

Are you surprised you got COVID after being vaccinated twice with Pfizer Dr??

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

Well, these vaccines never promised to stop you getting the virus. They are meant to reduce the severity and stop people from dying. I guess I need to think how bad it would have been if I didn't have the vaccine?!

[@quantumalight28]

We certainly have a long way to go till COVID becomes endemic Dr. So glad to know that getting COVID in your situation hasn't stopped your sense of humour. PS You forgot to mention pets that pong after their business still need their litter trays cleaned eg attended too!! Could you do a video on COVID masking wearing pros and cons relating to stuffy nose & dry raspy throat after affects etc?

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

That's a good one - I don't own a pet so it didn't come up in my thinking. I'll add it to the newsletter. i'll have a look at the mask thing - but youtube hates anyone making videos about covid

[@valeriewarr8676]

Still no sense of smell or taste 2.5 years later ! GP advised I search on Google. Does anyone have an answer?

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

I have another better video on this that worked for me.

[@orchestradellarte6545]

@@VikVeerENTSurgeon Thanks. Am now sniffing Sterimar and oils.