Huntsville, ALBrad M. believes he has been dealing with Zicam side effects for several months. Ever since he used Zicam to prevent a cold, Brad has had nasal problems. Specifically, Brad is suffering from Zicam smell loss and a loss of taste. He says the Zicam loss of smell has had an impact on his life.
"I was going to a major appointment in Boston," Brad says. "I had heard all the claims about Zicam keeping people from getting a full-blown cold. I thought that I had to close a deal in Boston, so I would try Zicam to prevent a cold. I purchased a bottle and used it for three days.
On the fourth day, I came back from Boston. I had forgotten the original bottle in Boston, so I went out and purchased a new bottle. It was still Zicam but it was slightly different—it was missing an ingredient that the previous stuff had that left you with a cool feeling in your nose.
I used this new stuff on the fourth day of Zicam use. I took it up both nostrils, breathed for 30 seconds and it felt like my sinuses were on fire. I had a dry, hollow feeling in my sinuses all night. I was up and down all night because I couldn't sleep.
I thought it was just the product working; I wasn't worried about long-term damage. I woke up the next morning, ate breakfast and it dawned on me part way through breakfast that I couldn't taste what I was eating. After that, I noticed I couldn't smell or taste anything.
At that point, I didn't know about Zicam issues. I thought my problem was because of the cold. But, it's been since the end of October, 2008, that I've smelled or tasted properly. I have about 20 percent of my smell and taste back, but the things I really love, especially chocolate or anything with sugar, just don't taste the same. I've lost about eight pounds. When you can't smell or taste, you enjoy food a lot less.
I have had other issues with my nose since then, but I'm not sure if they are related to Zicam use. I've been treated for issues like an abscess in my nose and I never had any problems like that previously.
There are so many scenarios where I can tell that there are aromas, but I don't know what they are. A cup of coffee or the smell of smoke—it's strange because some things smell similar. One of my good friends didn't believe I couldn't smell, so he blindfolded me and put stuff from his fridge under my nose. He would use things like minced garlic, that would pierce a person's nose, but I didn't flinch. Half the time, I didn't know there was anything under my nose, so it's a pretty significant loss of smell.
I think the guys who made Zicam knew there were problems but they continued to put it on the market, even though it caused us to not be able to smell or taste—and life is pretty bland when you have no smell or taste. If you care about food or smells—the smell of mowing the grass for example—those are little things you miss out on every single day."