AT 7:11 PM TUESDAY I TEXTED this to my oldest daughter: Do not forget you have super sensitive taste buds & lick an envelope flap. Really bad idea.
I was the one who forgot, not her. I was the one with the hypersensitive taste buds. I was the one who grabbed my bottled water and ran to the bathroom to repeatedly rinse the strong taste from my mouth. I was the one with overly-active taste buds, just another of the many sensory overload symptoms I’ve experienced following a virus in early January.
Of all the past and present symptoms—from imbalance; short-lived vertigo (only when prone): ear ringing, popping and pain and feeling of moisture in my ear; sensitivity to light, sound, smell and touch; feelings of ice water coursing through my body; feeling like I’ve been slapped on the face; headaches; and more I’m likely forgetting right now—this taste issue proved particularly challenging. It landed me in the ER one Thursday afternoon recently with swelling of my tongue and lips and a feeling of my throat closing. That’s scary, darned scary.
WEARY OF OATMEAL
Thereafter, for the next week, I could eat only bland foods and only small amounts. Oatmeal. Graham crackers. A blueberry proved too intense. So did a grape. It tasted awful. In five days, I lost nine pounds. Not a weigh loss program I recommend. Anything I ate caused an allergic reaction, but thankfully not enough for a return ER visit.
I couldn’t brush my teeth because my taste buds couldn’t tolerate even a non-flavored toothpaste. Toothpaste set my mouth afire. Eventually, after contacting my dentist’s office, I tried baking soda. That tasted like someone dumped a load of salt in my mouth.
JUST WANTING TO BE WELL
To say it was a hellish week would be an understatement. I was scared. Frustrated. Anxious. Wanting answers and hope. More than once, Randy heard me state, “I just want to feel better.” He was patient, encouraging, supportive, as he has been through the past six months of multiple building symptoms.
Back at the end of May already, I noticed toothpaste seemed especially minty. I told two of the doctors I was seeing of this occasional taste oddity. That went nowhere and perhaps I did not push the point enough. And then came that Thursday afternoon ER trip and my taste buds run amok.
TIME TO CALM THOSE NERVES IN MY BRAIN
It was at my ER follow-up visit with my primary care doctor that I found hope in a physician with deep compassion and care. I could see both in his eyes, hear both in his words. He pledged to try what he could to help me. He prescribed a medication to help calm the overactive nerves in my brain which control the senses. After one dose, I was already feeling relief. My taste buds are back to normal. I can eat without feeling like the food I just put in my mouth is starting a fire. No more throat, tongue or lip swelling. If it continues to work, and I have no reason to think otherwise, then I am grateful.
A THEORY, GUESS OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT
This is all a bit of a guessing game, a try and see what works process. Even my family doctor’s diagnosis of peripheral sensory neuropathy seems a best guess. The sensory part fits for sure. His theory is that the virus I had in January was COVID, even though I self-tested negative twice for the virus. Those home tests, he said, can be inaccurate if the tester doesn’t quite do things right. I am beginning to believe more and more that he’s right, that I am experiencing post-COVID symptoms.
PHYSICAL THERAPY CONTINUES
I continue with vestibular rehab therapy to retrain my brain to compensate for the irreversibly-damaged 8th vestibular nerve in my right ear. That nerve controls balance. My initial diagnoses of vestibular neuritis and Meniere’s Disease (due to hearing loss caused by a virus in 2011) remain.
All of this is a lot. These are diseases that I must learn to live with and manage. I have good days and bad. But I am determined, working hard at therapy, getting out and about to build up my sensory tolerance. A recent attempt to dine out at a restaurant proved overwhelming. But I managed a dental cleaning with a sensory accommodating hygienist. A trip to a big box store nearly proved too much given the music, the people, all the visual stuff. I managed an outdoor concert with an ear plug in my good ear. I struggled to get through a meeting with a financial planner when I had to listen closely and engage in conversation. I am beginning to understand my limits, yet try to push myself just over, to challenge myself without experiencing full-blown symptoms.
WITH GRATITUDE
Onward I go. I want to pause and thank you, my dear readers, for your ongoing encouragement and support. I’ve needed both, welcomed both, felt so very loved. I am grateful. I told Randy, “I have the best blog readers!” You are. The best.
© Copyright 2023 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Audrey, I think of you often especially when tinnitus roars in my ears. I can only imagine your physical and mental pain with the added issues. Sending thoughts hope and prayers and love to you!
Thank you, my dear cousin. I know you struggle, too, and I’m sorry for the tinnitus and hearing loss you deal with on a daily basis. That’s a lot.
oh, this made me tear up to read about all you are going through, and it seems you are finding your way back, bit by bit, with the help of the village of people both near and far. the way I see it, is that the one plus of your extreme sensitivity, it that you seem to be able to innately know when someone is a sensitive and compassionate person, and that is a wonderful thing. onward and be well –
Thank you, Beth. I like your word choice of “village.” That is a comforting thought to me. I deeply appreciate the quality of compassion.
I am so glad to read that you have encouraging medical care. And that you bravely do all you can to recover, and share your journey with us. I’ve seen people give up on finding medical care because of overwhelm and pain… It’s difficult to watch someone give up on hope.
I’ve had some terrible back/hip/abdomen pain since early last year. And it has been frustrating to get a medical professional to listen, I don’t fit textbook symptoms. The closest I’ve come to kindness and some relief is with chiropractic care and still, they can’t explain some lumps. It’s far too long of a story to share. But like you, I have to keep living, and doing whatever I can. And encouraging my body to heal the very best it can.
Rose, I’m sorry you’re also dealing with health issues that are a mystery and well outside the textbook symptoms. I understand your frustration in medical care. You can have all the smarts in the world, but if you don’t have good listening skills and compassion, then perhaps you shouldn’t be in the medical profession is my thought. I hope you get answers, relief and healing soon. Hugs.
I am so sorry you are going through such an awful array of symptoms. You don’t say where you are getting your health care but this sounds like something that the Mayo Clinic would be an excellent resource for you. My husband has had several issues similar to yours and they were able to help him. Hope things improve for you soon.
Liz, if you would like to send me info about your husband’s symptom), diagnosis and treatment, please feel free to email me (see my “About” page for my email). Maybe what you can share further would be helpful to me.
Audrey, when I used the word similar I meant he had odd symptoms his local gp was not able to solve. What Mayo does is a pretty amazing coordination of care. Neurology is a particularly strong area for them. I certainly would encourage you to seek a second opinion from them as what you are going through sounds awful!
Thanks for the clarification Liz. I hope your husband got answers and relief.
Thank you for sharing this difficult journey. I, too, wondered if you are experiencing the aftermath of COVID, as I, too, am dealing with new & yet-to-be diagnosed issues– without ever testing positive for COVID. Along with our struggles to get back to “normal” we should continue to share what we’re experiencing with our medical providers, and with family and friends. COVID may be here to stay, and should not be taken lightly. There is a growing community of support, from social media support groups (e.g. https://www.facebook.com/groups/www.facebook.comgroups373920943948661covidcaregrou/), and medical research and programs.
I’m sorry you’re also dealing with mysterious symptoms. I hope you get answers. I appreciate the link to the Facebook page. As soon as I read ear pressure/pain, I thought, yup that would be me. I agree that we need to continue to share our stories and press for answers. That is one of the reasons I write about my journey. To help others.
Audrey,
I hope you figure out a way to reduce these symptoms this battle seems horrible!
🙏❤️🤗.
Thank you, Paula. I appreciate your prayers, love and smiles.
Thank you for sharing this medical journey, Audrey. I’m so sorry you have to endure so much unknown, trauma and pain. Blessings to you as you continue to find the answers you need for complete recovery.
Thank you, Valerie. I appreciate your love, concern, prayers and blessings.
I meant to text you last week and didn’t but I have been thinking about you and praying for you. What a scary time! I am so sorry. Sounds like the doctor listened and is really trying to help. It has to be incredibly frustrating to have all your senses affected. Praying it subsides soon.
Thank you, Beth Ann. I appreciate your prayers and care. It all helps as I walk this challenging journey.
(((((((((LOVE&HUGS)))))))
Thank you, Renee. I feel your love and hugs stretching across the miles.
Certainly know about “a try and see what works process”. The fact you even know about the 8th vestibular nerve in the right ear. I am so sorry you are experiencing/handling all this, thankful for a loving, patient family and you’re not hospitalized. I also know about trying to find understanding medicals. Watch tv, seems like the whole world is in pain with so many pills that WORK for ALL! Then, just try and find one. Osteoarthritis is crummy. Prayers coming your way!
Thank you for your prayers, Sandra. I’m sorry you’re dealing with the pain of osteoarthritis. I know that all too well also.
Oh my goodness! I hope you are feeling better soon. That’s a reaction to the virus that I haven’t heard of but it’s interesting that they have a way to fix it.
My daughter is still suffering with a loss of sense of smell from the virus she had over thanksgiving of 2021. I was the exact opposite. I had the ability to smell like a pregnant woman.
It’s really a guess at this point whether my symptoms are post-COVID because I don’t even know if I had COVID. Like you, I do have a heightened sense of smell. Every sense is intensified. It’s been a difficult journey. Thank you for your well wishes.
I wonder what else could cause a sensory overload like that? Praying for your recovery!
Post-COVID symptoms seem the most likely given all of my issues began after the virus I had in January. Thank you for your prayers. I need them. Praying for your healing also.
Wowza. I can’t imagine your experiences and strain. I’m so thankful that the medicine is helping you. Prayers continue, dear friend.
I appreciate your wowza, encouragement and prayers, dear Gretchen.