ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE
Accupuncture Treatment in the USA
The following is an account of a treatment by acupuncture undergone by Bill, an anosmic in Pennsylvania, USA.
After having gone through rhinoplasty, MRI imaging, diet, chiropractic we basically concluded that my problem was one of peripheral
neuropathy. I thought that I would give accupuncture a try. I first went to a traditional chinese doctor who achieved good results. Due
to the logistics of getting to the appointments as well as the cost I discontinued treatment. That was about 4 years ago.
This year an MD in a local practice became certified in accupuncture. He treated me first on a weekly basis then at longer intervals to
determine how long the effects of the treatment lasted. We determined that I needed a treatment every month at a minimum in order to
retain any positive result. The treatment involved needles in head, face, wrist and ankle with some electrical stimulation. We did not
try moxibustion but he felt that it would have been of benefit. I have discontinued treatment mainly because my insurance company has
denied me coverage.
Homeopathic Treatments in the USA
The following is an account of a homeopathic treatment
undergone by Constance, an anosmic in Ohio, USA.
What I had was "viral" anosmia - not congenital (like you) or the type
caused by an accident or head injury.
Well anyways, there is this hope for the sinus-problem, upper-respiratory
infection-type anosmia but it does involve some bizarre treatment and a true
leap of faith, so I'm hesitant to share the information. And these special
(non-invasive/Eastern-medicine) diagnosis and treatment methods are only
practiced by very few professionals who mainly use the treatment for curing
chronic respiratory problems, allergies, cancer, high blood pressure, and
bacterial/microbial or other viral infections. The regaining of my sense of
smell was just a (very happy) bi-product of the treatment - along with
getting rid of Lyme disease, my allergies and my sinus problems.
I just know that a lot of "viral" anosmics go through terrible stuff to
regain their smell (and sometimes only temporarily) - periodic steroid
injections, pollop scraping surgeries, lots of drugs & drops...
Plus, I haven't checked with my Doctor (located in North Haledon, New
Jersey) to see if he'd be interested in a flood of anosmics to treat. I was
referred to this guy by the brother of my boss, a Vice President at my
company. My boss' brother, who is a cranial alignment specialist, also
practices these methods, which are called (by the way) "bi-digital O-ring
testing & selective drug uptake" (based on the principles of acupuncture,
although no needles are involved - THANK GOD) He is located in Dayton,
Ohio.
I was the NJ Doctor's first experience with anosmia, so granted it's less
than proven based on only 1 success - but what a victory it was for me! The treatment does require a pretty close contact with the doctor for about 2 weeks to completely clean your system of all infections, but it is, as I stated before, TOTALLY non-invasive and only requires self-discipline as far as clothing is concerned. Also, I was unable to eat
onions or garlic or take any large doses of vitamin C for awhile.
Lisa does not endorse or recommend the treatment described above. It is for your information only. Please consult a doctor before beginning any treatment.
Dentistry Work Causes Anosmia, Chiropractor Treats It
Mollie, from Texas, sent in this email:
(As told to Lisa in an email. It has
not
been edited.)
Hi Lisa..
I have been without any smell & very, very little taste since April of 2000,
immediately following a 9 hour visit to a Dentist... Had my mouth open most
of the time, and lot's of injections...
I've been though MRI's for brain scans, 4 Medical Doctors... absolutely
NOTHING
Three weeks ago I went to a Chiropractor, because my husband had bid and won
at an auction... I told this man about my problem... and he told me I might
get some of my smell back!!
VERY FIRST ADJUSTMENT AT THE TOP OF THE NECK.. BEHIND THE EARS.. AND I
HONESTLY WAS ABLE TO SMELL A CANDLE IN THE NEXT ROOM!!!!
YESTERDAY I HAD TO GO BACK TO THE DENTIST FOR A NIGHT BITE REPLACEMENT.. AND I ACTUALLY LOST SOME THE SMELL... I HAD TO HOLD MY MOUTH OPEN FOR A
WHILE....
DON'T THINK I AM WEARING THE NIGHT GUARD ANYMORE... SINCE THE ADJUSTMENTS, I DON'T NEED IT...
HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF THIS???
YOU ARE WELCOME TO PUT THIS ON YOUR INFORMATION BOARD, IF YOU WISH!!!!
Landfill Site Vapour
(As told to Lisa in an email. It has
not
been edited.)
Whilst working (as a surveyor) at a landfill site (refuse tip) I had
occasion to examine a leachate collecting pit. On so doing I inadvertantly
"sniffed" some of the vapour emanating from this pit. The characteristic
stench locked into my nostrils and dominated my sense of smell for the next
48 hours.
In the following months i experienced distorted sense of smell (e.g. general
odours smelling like paint or chemicals)
Alan.
Here are some more stories from anosmics (slightly edited):
While skating, I fell backwards head first on a concrete floor. I had a grade 2 concussion and quite a bit of swelling (no lacerations or skull fracture). I had x-rays and CT scan, revealing major swelling but no fractures. I was however, left with the inability to smell anything at all for over a month. After about a month, smells started to return but were not normal smells by any means. I thought this information might help, not sure how many there are like me that have gone through this due to minor head trauma. I only see it listed as happening in major head trauma and after being knocked-out or a skull fracture. As this was not my case, I thought I should report it to your foundation.
Lisa does not endorse or recommend the treatment described above. It is for your information only. Please consult a doctor before beginning any treatment
(As told to Lisa in an email. It has not been edited.)
(As told to Lisa in an email. It has not been edited.)
I had anosmia from chronic sinus problems (which I've had for several years)
- and let me tell you - I underwent some crazy voodoo treatment about 4
months ago involving the wearing of cotton clothes, cod liver oil, getting
rid of all jewelry (and some other outlandish stuff) and was "cured" on my
first day of treatment after being without the smeller for 2 weeks - and my
smell stayed for good - which is KEY for me since I am, by trade, a
professional wine taster & importer! (I must say that I was nearly suicidal
after only a week without smelling because I saw my future and my career
crumbling)
During transphenodial surgery to remove a pituitary tumor, the surgeon went in through the base of my nose where it meets the upper lip (from the inside). I believe this was the surgery that caused the damage. The second surgery was a subfrontal approach whish may or may not have contributed.
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