Loss of taste and smell

[gleff]

Hi All,

I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease quite a few years ago and have recently come out of remission (about 6-8 months ago). My specialist put me back on Imuran and Mesasal. I've taken them before but not as high a dosage as I'm on now.

Currently i'm on 2g of Mesasal and 150mg of Imuran.

The issue I have is for the past 5 or so months my taste buds and sense of smell have gone haywire. Everything I smell and taste tastes like underarm (not that I know what underarm tastes like but if I was to guess, this would be it.).

I saw my GP a little while ago and he advises it's possibly the side effects of the Imuran.

I'll obviously confirm this when I next see my specialist but in the meantime, does anyone know if the sense of taste and smell will return once I stop taking Imuran??

This is seriously depressing me because I don't want to cook anything that I usually like to eat because I know it's going to taste disgusting now. Everything just tastes bad.

Anyway, if anyone knows, can you advise? :depressed:

 

[Crohn's 35]

Welcome to the forum! I have been on Imuran but too short of a time period, and I googled the mesasal (5ASA) that didnt change my taste or smell. But, having said that everyone is different and meds react different. I am on Prednisone and even in the lower doses my tongue feels burnt and cant tastes anything. Everything tastes the same. Most sides effects do go away with time after getting off them. Always check with your doctor when going off meds, because if you are in a flare, you will need to be on something. Good luck, let us know what happens. Lots of information here!

 

[gleff]

Welcome to the forum! I have been on Imuran but too short of a time period, and I googled the mesasal (5ASA) that didnt change my taste or smell. But, having said that everyone is different and meds react different. I am on Prednisone and even in the lower doses my tongue feels burnt and cant tastes anything. Everything tastes the same. Most sides effects do go away with time after getting off them. Always check with your doctor when going off meds, because if you are in a flare, you will need to be on something. Good luck, let us know what happens. Lots of information here!

Thanks for that. I think i'm very close to being back in remission now. I'll be seeing my specialist at the end of April. She did mention the last time I spoke to her that we'll cease the Mesasal at around June of this year. She wanted to keep me on Imuran full time but I may make an executive decision and only go back on it with another flare up. I lasted about 8 years in remission last time without any medication.

I don't like being on medicatation, but Imuran worries me a bit with issues like susceptibility to Liver problems, cancer, and of course if it's the cause of my change in smell and taste, then I want to be off it asap I can't enjoy any food or smells at the moment because everything smells or tastes like underarm LOL.

I'll be sure to update further if I find anything out. In the meantime, if anyone else can shed some light from their experiences regarding Imuran and smell and taste it would be great.

Geoff