Neuroplasticity and Senses - Taste and Smell

Life after stroke Eating after stroke
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Greetings one and all.

I have seen a few posts on the subject of losing sense of taste post-stroke and food tasting bad etc. I have noted that as with anything and everything to do with stroke, time is the healer. But since no one can say exactly how long, or how much time it will take to get the senses back, it has been frustrating for those affected by it.

What do we know about this?
It’s what we are told and this varies from person to person and there does not seem to be any absolute “do this and it will be sorted magic pill.”

I decided to see if there is anything that can be done, by anyone and everyone and that does not require too much effort or financial outlay and no reliance on professionals.

There may be such a thing, and if I am teaching my grandmother to suck eggs, so be it - sorry granny but there are times when foolishness takes over :slight_smile:

I wonder how many of those afflicted by this are willing to give it a go and whether there will be enough of an uptake that could then lead us to conclude whether this approach is any better than those already in use.

Here is what I propose.

As volunteers, you try these things for a minimum period, say 1 month and if you feel you would like to carry on after that time, you can carry on.

I am suggesting that I would try this if I was affected (I am not, but am trying to offer a solution which I have not myself tried). I see potential benefits and nothing to lose.

It takes a few minutes of your times each day and I am proposing you try the things shown in the two short YouTupe videos below.

  1. Eastern medicine approach - acupuncture/pressure point therapy
    https://youtube.com/shorts/EMxFrOU0Ff0?si=LX_Cwx2BvBDdGeSz

  2. Neuroplasticity / Relearn / Train sense of taste/smell.
    https://youtu.be/HjVi9B7L-j0?si=31S9UGCdyuVK_ois

Finally, if you feel this is too much for you and you would allow nature to take its course then do nothing and with time it is likely you will get your taste and smell back. Depending on who you talk to, 95% of those affected will get these senses back, meaning only 5% might not get it back.

Wishing you all success and perhaps with time, you might come back and report on hoe you got on with this random trial.

Let me state for the record, I am not a healthcare professional, nor am I trained in any of these things and if you do decide to do this, you do so at your own risk.

Namaste|
:pray:

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@ManjiB

I have a lot to say and will say it here but right now is keeping me occupied so i will answer asap

In the mean-time, knowing you, this might tickle your fancy:

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I didn’t lose my sense of taste after my stroke but I did find some things tasted vile. That’s improved now but I still have episodes of it. My tastes did change though & some things I loved begore I no longer do & vice versa.

My biggest isdue though is it also took my appetite away & the feeling of being hungry. Now I eat because i have to but get little or no enjoyment from it.

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quote from ManjiB
there does not seem to be any absolute “do this and it will be sorted magic pill.”
I decided to see if there is anything that can be done, by anyone and everyone and that does not require too much effort or financial outlay and no reliance on professionals.

There has been much written here about this method and that.
I researched how Andrew Marr travelled the world after his stroke seeking the wonder cure and note that three things seem to be true.

  • He must have spent a lot of money, which he could no doubt afford, in his search
  • He must have been open to anything and everything that offered hope, wherever on this planet.
  • I suspect that none of what was promised amounted to anything.
  • After trying, despite the disability caused by stroke, to continue as he had before the event, he appears at this time to be retired.
    (that’s three things isn’t it?? I bet they’re all true too.)

To me this indicates that for him stroke has been a life changing event.
I believe that is largely true for most of us.

As someone who was a very physical person I must say that I have been brought to a complete standstill but the energy I possess demands I continue. This I can only do with a change of direction. I am in no way cured but by this strategy I am able to continue. Maybe in some way my efforts could be worthwhile.

Some improvement has occurred and I have made some effort but I suspect I will never be what I was. I won’t waste my energy or cash chasing the impossible.

My energy will go into a change of direction, a new path, if you like.
I have been left with some ability and it is on what I can do rather than what I wish I could do that I will concentrate. I will look back, not with longing but with an eye out for possible directions.

To those who seek - good luck with your endeavours.

If your life has changed I suggest you strive to turn it into a change for the better.

and one last point . . .

  • keep on keepin on
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Thanks Bobbi - I guess one day I will evolve and join the real world.
Right now I am just about coming of 3G phones - so far smartphones and tablet computers have passed me by.

I do this forum on a laptop computer and anything I do like this is on the laptop computer (I think I might be on Windows 11 but was (may still be) on Windows 10 for a long time).

The Andrew Marr comment is interesting - I don’t know the details but was aware of his stroke. Also, I find our Human Bean @pando as well as @smellypup do similar things, though this could be my lack of understanding of what they do and my general ignorance on some of these things.

Sometimes I find myself thinking that Stroke Survivors are no different to the rest of the human race. This might sound ridiculous, but the way my brain works I find myself thinking these things. We all know that every human being on this planet is pretty unique and they each have their own strengths and weaknesses. Some of these strengths and weaknesses might be inherited, others learned through education or practical training, others might be imposed on them e.g. medical conditions such as the stroke.

When I look at things in this way, I see some extraordinary people doing extraordinary things that I myself cannot imagine myself doing, but yet here are these people doing these things. How is it possible? Is it through sheer willpower, determination or something else? What is it that enables these people to become so good at what they do, to achieve things others thought impossible or at the very least extremely difficult?

Then I see others, who seem not to be able to do these things and so they end up not achieving very much (not sure I can explain this very well) and they plod their way through life and that’s fine because, it is ultimately a choice they have made, or have they? What if they had wanted to do more but were unable to do so because they did not have the know how or access to the resources they need?

What is stopping me from achieving some of the goals that I may have set myself in the past but which I gave up on or was distracted from achieving?

Is it ever to late for anything?

Do I need to ask more questions to find the answers? How? What? Why? When? Who?

What am I doing here?
Why am I doing it?
Should I be doing it?

Does my brain hurt when I do this?
If my brain does not hurt, should it hurt? No pain, no gain?

And so it goes on, and on, and on and on …

:pray:

Peace and Love.
Look after yourselves, look after those you love.
If you think you are in a bad place, rest assured you are not alone and more than likely there are some who are even in a worse place.

Now there’s a sobering thought if ever there was one :thinking:

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True, we all have an infinite potential which we may or may not be required to tap into. It’s not wrong to live a comfortable life, but I was required to raise myself a level to overcome the horrors of my stroke. When required to do so we learn during said process. I am on such a path, as my recovery is very much in progress. Yet, I have complete faith in the outcome. One thing I have learnt is to ‘step out’ of my physical body; to forget conventional ‘thinking’ which is a mechanism for dwelling on the past & to let go of expectations for the future; to just ‘be’ and to access a higher plane of being that guides us and enables us. We have these powers within us, and can call upon them if needed.

Have no fear. You will do what you have to, when the time comes. Like I said, try not to plan your future ; we cannot control it, and should not torment ourselves trying. You will free yourself by letting go of the future and the past. Good luck, and realize you have achieved your goal already!

Roland

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Good Morning Pando & ManjiB

- thanks for the amazing wise discussion. I think I’m correct in saying yr thinking mirror the teaching of many eastern religions?

I think You are so correct about letting go of expectations and plans - effectively live in the moment - which is another way of “enjoy every day” as my late wife used to say.

It is also letting go of the mindset we have lived by - I have spent my life planning ahead, anticipating problems, finding solutions etc. To a degree maybe this is necessary (?) but I am thinking an error to base your whole being around this it leads to worry which is a waste of life. You are so correct that we cannot control th future but by letting go of expectations We can free ourselves and achieve a fulfilment not just for ourselves but those around us. And not to dwell on the past. Mindfulness.

I hope ive understood your word’s alright? Forgive my clumsy thinking. Very thought provoking and thanks to ManjiB also for opening this. If I read nothing else today im glad I read both your thoughts.

I keep learning- thanks :folded_hands:

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Hello @Baldrick - Thank you for your feedback. For me, being on this forum has given me an opportunity to share some of my thinking and views on life, health, family, work etc. I have found it wonderful to put down my thoughts here on this forum and not have to worry about what others might think, not that that is something that has worried me. I like to think I speak as I see, though sometimes I may have to hold back.

For me, being a carer has been extremely challenging and hugely rewarding and to be able to share this in the hope that others may benefit from our experiences and learnings is a huge motivator to carry on posting. I feel I have bonded with a few of the regulars including Roland with whom I have shared a few exchanges that might be considered left field or blue sky, or they may not. Others have just read my posts, appreciated them and then moved on.

I am not sure if my thinking is influenced by religion, be it Eastern or Western, but there may be elements that are picked from them. My Dad told me that religion was a way to educate the masses in times when not everyone was able to go to school or get formal education. Religious meetings can therefore teach the masses on how to live and behave. As an example, we (in my family) fast twice a month and when I first started I thought it was a religious act, but my Dad explained the science behind it and how religion had been used to get the masses to fast because it provides health benefits. Some still might think they fast because it is a religious activity and that is fine, but the point of the wise ones was to get the people living healthy lives and that goal was achieved by teaching in this fashion.

This stems back to times when people were “innocent” and in subsequent times religion has been hi-jacked by the not so innocent to get the innocent /gullible to do bad things. This is another topic altogether and I shall leave it at that.

My main aim is to “educate” stroke survivors and carers in “good practices” - that I believe in and follow. I do not intend to force them on anyone and I don’t expect to go unchallenged if I say something others may not agree with, but my philosophy in life has always been to share my experiences and allow others to make their own choices. I also don’t expect others to “Do as I do” but when I say to someone to “Do as I say” it is for good reason. “Do as I say” is in my humble opinion a safer option for someone other than myself to do. I don’t mean to come across arrogant or cocky but there are times when others simply cannot do what I do and nor should they try, but I can offer them a easier/softer option that will give the same or similar outcome as desired.

I’ll leave it at that at the risk of coming across as arrogant and cocky.

:pray:

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Hi ManjiB

I hope i didnt come across wrong I greatly appreciate all your posts I found this morning’s discussion quite an inspiration and I thank you. You never appear as arrogant or Cocky either btw. It’s important we can say openly here and with honesty as you describe.

I agree with your Dad; though im religious myself (albeit with a small r) his observations are true and wise. Very much appreciate your “good practices” and to be frank i dont know where I’d be without the wisdom of all here.

I so admire your caring which you evidently do with the utmost love - I did similar with my wife though sadly she was terminal from the start. It was hard but lovely to be with her - every moment precious - though I’d be lying if I didn’t say it scarred me. If ok I’ll leave that there for now apologies. Do take care of yourself it’s easy as a carer not to and not even realise it.

Anyway, I know and admire all you do. As I say pleaase look after yourself as well- you are the linchpin.

Take care mate and I hope it’s all been ok to say.

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Hey Baldrick - I don’t offend easily and I am aware things can be said in the heat of the moment and also I have learnt that on this forum, people can say things without necessarily realising it as it is their stroke brain rather than their non-stroke brain.

I am not sure if it was you or someone else I made the recommendation to, but I am reading a fantastic book called “The Chimp Paradox” by Prof. Steve Peters and I have learnt a lot from that too. It teaches how we all have a Chimp brain and a Human brain and the Chimp brain tends to react first (may be impulsive) whereas the human brain is more considered. There’s more to it than that but it’s the best I can describe in summary.

Don’t worry - you haven’t offended me. My Dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer and we only had him for about 3 months after that diagnosis. That was a massive learning and then now with Mum having a stroke we are still learning but this is a different sort of caring.

You take care and enjoy your “new family”. We had a visit from one of my cousins today and my Mum really enjoyed seeing her. Family is so important and underestimated.

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Exactly what I am experiencing…thanks for sharing ….helpful to know it’s not uncommon!

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