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Brain Bleed, Lost Taste, Taken Blood Pressure Medication. How Can I Get Back My Taste?

Posted on Sun, 1 Jul 2012

Question: I had a bleed to the brain over 2 years ago the bleed was in the celbruem at the back of the stem ... I had taste about 12 months of the time even though i was fed with a peg all the soft diet i ate in my mouth i was able to taste then i went on blood pressure tablets .I am on two now could this be the cause and how can i get it back ? i am on Perindopril and Indapamide.

Answered by Dr. Praveen K Nath (1 hour later)

Hi,
Thanks for writing in.
I have gone through your history in detail . You seem to be having a brainstem spontaneous bleed . The cause could be hypertension, but other less common causes of bleed should have been ruled out . viz . aneurysm/ arteriovenous malformations/ angioma /cavernous angioma etc.
It is extremely unlikely that the loss of taste is due to blood pressure medications . However, loss of taste can be secondary to brain haemorrhage itself . Usually, this would take long time to heal .& it may or may not heal depending on the extent of the damage to the fibres of the brainstem.
I would suggest the following:
1. Continue your medications as usual

2. Check whether a repeat MRI ( magnetic resonance imaging scan ) BRAIN/ MR ANGIOGRAPHY had been done

3. Continue with physiotherapy

Hope this helps. My best wishes for a speedy recovery
Thanks
Dr Praveen K Nath XXXXXXX Consultant Neurosurgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Aparna Kohli

Follow up: Dr. Praveen K Nath (40 minutes later)

Thank you for the reply you say that a repeat MRI what will this prove ? he is not having any more Physiotherapy as they have signed him off .Can you clarify what you mean by a secondary to the brain itself ... what happends then and does it heal in time what else can be done to help it improve sooner ?

Answered by Dr. Praveen K Nath (21 hours later)

Dear,

Wish your friend a speedy recovery.

Repeat MRI brain is to see present status of brain stem bleed.

MRI can tell us about gliotic areas in brain so that we can differentiate between permanent/temporary damage for prognostic purposes.

MRI brain may also give idea about cause of bleed.

Symptoms may gradually improve with time, at times physiotherapy also helps.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Praveen K Nath (25 hours later)

thank you one more thing what would you suggest on the Physiotherapy side to assist with improving the taste ? we have not been advised on this from anyone so far

Answered by Dr. Praveen K Nath (24 hours later)

Hi,

I was talking about the physiotherapy for the imbalance and regaining power.

Loss of taste sensation should come back on its own but we cannot predict the time. As taste and smell sensations travel together, it is good to check if the olfactory nerves are well preserved. You can get it checked with an ENT specialist.

Hope my insight helps in taking the next best step.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Praveen K Nath (2 days later)

Thank you for your help it has provided me with steps i can now take to seek improvements or understanding of current brain condition .

Answered by Dr. Praveen K Nath (1 hour later)

Hi,

Many thanks for your kind gesture. If you like my answers and wish me to answer in future, bring it to my attention, “Dr. Praveen K Nath"

Hope your friend is on a fast path to recovery.

Thanks again.

Dr Praveen k XXXXXXX XXXXXXX consultant neurosurgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad