A few weeks ago (January 25 to be exact) I wrote about losing my sense of smell & taste after becoming sick with covid over the Martin Luther King Day weekend, and was wondering when they’d come back.
A blogger I know (DJan) lost hers, only to gain it mostly back in a couple weeks. For my sister’s daughter-in-law Jessica, it’s been months.
It’s the weirdest thing—my taste buds just shut OFF on the fifth day of that virus, like a light switch.
Enjoyed toast and coffee that morning, when I went for a second cup a couple hours later, it was hot water.
It’s been close to 4 weeks now, and I’ve been reading up on various methods people have used to awaken theirs. I’ve been making the same efforts, but with limited success.
I’ve been eating fried eggs topped with yellow mustard, loading up mashed potatoes with minced garlic, adding crushed red pepper flakes to soup & pasta.
And for the first couple of bites, I think I’m tasting something at least.
I bought a 2 pack of these Neti Inhalers on Amazon for $17.95.
They’re pricey buggers, but packed with peppermint, eucalyptus, menthol, and lavender essential oils.
I zonk my nostrils first thing in the morning, again at noon, and again before bed
Anyway, I was at the store on Saturday and in the produce aisle, they had a display of jalapeno peppers on promotion, regularly $3.99 a pound, on sale for $1.99 per lb.
I’ve eaten my share of these things, but I’m a hillbilly in the kitchen and have never bought or cooked a jalapeno pepper in my life. But hey, there’s a first time for everything and if these don’t wake my olfactory senses up, what will?
Behold the Pizza from Hell!
Doug’s Pizza from Hell
- Pizza dough
- 1/3 cup pizza sauce blended with 1/3 cup Frank’s Red Hot Sauce
- 2 tablespoons crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup shredded Mozzarella
- 1 cup shredded Pepperjack
- 3 large Jalapeno peppers, sliced (one layer underneath the cheese, one layer on top)
It looks overcooked in this photo, but it really wasn’t—I think all of that edible heat gave it a “scorched” appearance. Anyway, it was around my third slice that I noticed my ears were sweating, and another bite later my throat & sinuses felt like I’d been inhaling rocket fuel!
I ran to the kitchen, glugged down half a quart of milk, then went to the bathroom to soak my face & head in some cold water. As I was rubbing my head with a towel, I suddenly got a whiff of Bounce fabric softener. I stopped what I was doing and could smell citrus in the air too.
It was coming from the air freshener on the back of my toilet. What the—!!
I went back into the kitchen, put a scoop of peanut butter twirl ice cream into a bowl, took a bite, it was utterly delicious. I was healed!
Rather, I thought I was. Today (Sunday) I’m back to not smelling or tasting anything. What happened? I feel like I’m being punished by the Great Cosmos for something, but what? My last blog you say? What about my last blog?
I have six slices of that hellfire pizza left, in a Tupperware container in the fridge. I’m debating whether it’s worth going thru all that again, or was that just a fluke.
Well, at least I know my bathroom smells nice….
That is weird indeed. I would think that once you'd awakened the senses that they would stay awake. Apparently not? That would be VERY frustrating. Cute bathroom! I love seeing inside people's homes. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Margaret--yeah me too about the "awakening", what a downer! Anyway thank you and also for the bathroom comment. I hated the pink tub when I moved in, but now I'm fine with it. :^)
DeleteGuess you could try everything while in the bathroom? There's a ray of hope, but maybe not the scents you wanted. Spicy things are known for helping inflammation. Maybe you have to have a dose of spicy to get a whiff of coffee. Hang in there. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteVery interesting about spicy things helping with inflammation, I didn't know that... thanks Linda! Guess I won't toss that pizza just yet.
DeleteMy first question for you is: how is your stomach after that pizza?! I do think you discovered a very interesting test for your loss of those senses. Maybe this is something scientists should experiment with in order to find a cure. It almost sounds like the hot spices temporarily burned off whatever was blocking the taste and smell.
ReplyDeleteI like the thought of trying the inhaler too. Anything to wake up those senses, right? If you run out of those you can get a Vicks inhaler for a lower price. They are mainly menthol but I used to love them for a cold when I was a kid. I agree with Margaret, cute bathroom! Good luck with those senses!
Thank you Bonnie and no stomach problems but I did have heartburn last night at bedtime, did not enjoy that. Anyway, Vicks!! Yes that's a great idea! I'll be at the drugstore tomorrow and picking that up. Now I'm glad I shared this, thanks again. 🙂👍👍
DeleteI was wondering if your taste/scent receptors had recovered yet, Doug. Not yet recovered but recovering, it sounds like. That Pizza From Hell was certainly heavy artillery! Perhaps you will find pleasure in texture until flavour returns. Like the satisfying crunch of popcorn or raw carrots perhaps? So was the inhaler one of the contents in the mystery packages you mentioned? Yes, my curiousity is alive and well!
ReplyDeleteFlorence, I did have carrots and chicken today and popcorn the other night, I was just becoming impatient. I think I learned my lesson! As for those Neti sticks, no they were a separate order but that's kind of you to remember and ask. I'll share it soon and I know you will like what you see. 🙂💕👍
DeleteDug, you might have restored your taste and smell, but tore up your throat and stomach in the process. But that's me... can't eat anything like jalapeno peppers... burns too bad! I've heard that ghost peppers are the worst. You could try that if you're desperate. But if I were you, I'd just give it time.
ReplyDeleteAnd I've never seen a pink tub! Pink is one of my favorite colors...so I like it, but I can see why you wouldn't.
Oh, you might also use the saline nasal spray for a while. It's soothing and may reduce any inflammation caused by Covid... just a thought.
Thanks Rian, I used to love spicy food but the older I get.. I need to realize I'm not a teenager anymore. I was just getting fed up with this! I'm glad you like my pink tub, all the tubs in my apartment building are from the 50s and pink, ocean blue or sunny yellow. If you have a white tub, you have a new one. Thank you for the advice about the saline spray, I need to pursue a safer route. 🙂👍
DeleteNow that wasn't fair to tease you like that with just a glimpse of taste and smell. Still it is interesting and maybe a milder version might help.Three slices was pushing your luck. Can you check with your doctor? Maybe you have stumbled on a cure.
ReplyDeleteHope a hope.
Patti, you said it! And as always, your advice sounds just right. I think I went overboard with the pizza ingredients, but I do believe I was on the right track. I just don't know if this is worth going to my doctor about, I don't think they have any answers either. I did toss out the rest of that pizza though! I'm getting there! 🙂👍👍
DeleteOh dear *guffaw!* that is horrible! (Snort!) It sounds like you jump started your tastebuds, but perhaps overdosed and seared those suckers right off. Honestly. If your shoes don't do you in, your great ideas might! Ps: please don't hate me because I laughed.
ReplyDeleteHaha thanks Debby!! You made ME laugh! I mean it, thank you!! 😄😄💕
DeleteI can't imagine eating that pizza you cooked. I would think it would roast your entrails. But it was a good sign that eventually, your sense of smell will return. I'm sorry you have had the Covid.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ann, very kind of you to say. Yes that pizza.. big mistake!! 🙂👍
DeleteI agree about the possible digestive issues with excessively high doses of spices. I still think a bit (more is not always better) of stimulation several times a day with basic smells and tastes might begin to prompt regaining function. At least you could more readily detect which smell or taste seems to be responding if regained one-by-one and not all at once.
ReplyDeleteScientists have classified odors into 10 basic categories: fragrant, woody/resinous, minty/peppermint, sweet, chemical, popcorn, lemon, fruity (non-citrus), pungent and decayed.
"...in a paper published in the journal International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology, the researchers suggest "smell training".
"This involves sniffing four things that have a distinctive, easily identifiable and familiar smell - for example, oranges, mint, garlic or coffee - twice a day for several months."
Taste could be stimulated in the same manner but not necessarily by eating a lot of food which would be a conglomeration of tastes/smells. Use the pure form i.e. sweet water, salty water, sour lemon juice could simply be a little bottle with eyedropper to administer on tongue.
The seven most common flavors in food that are directly detected by the tongue are: sweet, bitter, sour, salty, meaty (umami), cool, and hot.
Speech-Language Pathologists and sometimes Occupational Therapists provide intervention in swallowing therapy, especially with older people who may have diminished sensory function that may be researching and have some recommendations applicable to this Covid issue.
Joared, thanks very much for sharing this. I think I learned my lesson, and tossed out that awful pizza. I'm going to go this route, and see how it goes. 🙂👍
DeleteYour bathroom looks nice too. I miss having a tub :(
ReplyDeletePossibly the jalapeno cleared your pipes enough for you to smell and taste, then when the heat died down, it was over. Maybe you need to keep eating it until the pipe clearing effects are permanent. It looks great, not at all overcooked.
Thanks very much. River! And I'd happily trade you my tub for a shower stall, I don't think I've taken a bath since I was 8 years old. 🙂
DeleteCurious indeed... I'd work on eating the healthiest foods you can but wouldn't want to when you can smell or taste them... who knows how healthy you could become and perhaps them your Taste preferences will have changed to where you dig those things you should eat? At least you had a whiff and a brief interlude of Bliss, I hope it goes away soon. I'm glad I didn't get that side effect with The Rona, but I did lose about 30 lbs., I might have gotten to my Goal weight had I not been able to taste or smell?
ReplyDeleteThanks Bohemian, and wow did you really lose 30 lb? Good for you! Well, regards to diet I think I'm going through phases with this thing. I did start out eating nutritional stuff since I couldn't taste it haha, but I've also overeaten, trying to catch the flavors with "one more bite". I'm sure I'll get over this soon, again congrats on 30 lbs! 🙂👍👍
DeleteMy buds were out of commission for nearly three months. Like you, I would have periods where I swear I could smell or taste something but I think in hindsight it was more my memory telling me that it should taste like it remembered. I didn't however have anything as intense as what you had after the hellfire pizza. Eventually it all came back, as it turned out by a large cattle feedlot along an interstate in Kansas, and all was right again in the world and has been ever since.
ReplyDeleteEd, I remember you telling me you went through this too, wow 3 months is a lot...but the important thing is, it all came back and all was right in the world again. I like that! 🙂👍👍
DeleteI can't imagine what you have been going through. I think you should discard that pizza with the peppers. Not worth ruining your stomach and throat. But, hey, that pink bathtub looks nice!
ReplyDeleteGigi my friend, that pizza is history! Pardon the pun, but I really do think I was playing with fire there. I just have to be patient! And thank you for the comment about my 1950s bathtub, I don't try to hide it anymore! 😄👍👍♥️
DeleteHi Doug, goodness, I always seem to be late to commenting lately!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry your sense of taste and smell has come back permanently. That was quite a test you did! I couldn’t even imagine eating a single slice of the pizza!
I too love your tub and pink tiles. The house I grew up in had green tiles with a black border. I remember my Mum couldn’t wait to rip it out and put in a 1970’s bathroom.
Have a good week Doug.❤️❤️
Robin, I would happily trade my pink tiles and tub for the green tiles and black border. That sounds 1950s bachelor man cool! Well I hope the '70s bathroom your mom put in worked out, why is that making me laugh?? Thank you Robin I hope you have a good week too! 🙂♥️♥️👍
DeleteThank heavens for that final photo – I thought you had a gold loo.
ReplyDeleteI guess you can’t yet stop and smell the roses. Oh dear.
Peter, that gold toilet was meant to imply no taste, you know.. but the more I look at it the more I like it! And no can't smell the roses yet but at least I can stop and admire them. 🙂👍
DeleteAh right. Dumb me - I should have picked that up.
DeleteI guess my brain isn't as quick as it used to be.
I think your brain is just fine!
DeleteWell your account is hilarious, but I feel guilty laughing at your expense (altho' I think you meant us to laugh.) Anyway, practice makes perfect, so I suggest just keep on eating.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tom! Well, I didn't bake that pizza from hell to be funny, but after I ran around my place breathing fire I figured it might make for a funny blog at least, I'm glad you got a chuckle! I've been too goofy in my blog lately, I need to start acting my age.. 🙂🙂
DeleteOh gosh, Doug! On the other hand, it's hopeful that you got some taste back for a while. It means it's still there waiting. My doctor told me to buy scents in a bottle... rose, lavender, eucalyptus, clove, lemon. I can barely smell the eucalyptus. Nothing on the others. He said I should try to remember what those scents smelled like while I take deep breaths.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kay, I know mine is returning slowly but surely but nothing would make me happier than you getting your own smell and taste back. How long has yours been gone? You should try one of these Neti inhalers I mentioned, I think its doing the trick. 🙂♥️♥️👍
DeleteIt’s probably been about 10+ years. The doctors were not hopeful of it returning. It was such a gradual loss that I didn’t notice it. I just thought the colognes, sachets and other things were losing their potency. Mom’s smell and taste are diminishing too. Art is in charge of detecting odors and flavors in our house. We have to be careful when we’re cooking too.
ReplyDeleteKay I'm so sorry, I didn't even know this was possible until I met you. And I can see how dangerous it can be... the other day when I was drinking some milk, I thought "how long have I had this?" as it usually gets a slight off-taste 1-2 days before it sours. Just now, I ate a turkey sandwich. How long have I had this turkey? I need an Art in my house!
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