Some people lose their sense of smell well before other symptoms develop. If you read most of the classic guides on PD, they say loss of sense of smell is a classic sign. Well, I didn't have ANY loss of smell when I developed symptoms. Now, 7 years since first symptom onset, I notice that I can still smell as keenly but I sometimes have trouble identifying WHAT the smell is. It's very strange, but there is definitely a change. I've always had a sensitive sense of smell and, if anything, that seems more so now, but the labeling of the smell can be more difficult.

I think as mentioned by many that every one of us PD'ers, are all unique in that we have different symptoms or we may have some symptoms but to a different degree. I have some loss of smell but I could still smell coffee and spice but lost the others that I was asked to identify in a smell test that I took several months ago.
I want to wish everyone A MERRY CHRISTMAS with a Prayer & a Hope that our symptoms be kinder to all of us in this difficult journey.

I have had no trouble with that at all. I can smell if a mouse lets one outside.
And, I love the blooms of the orange trees in the spring, and I truly can smell the fresh cut grass on the golf course.

I lost my sense of smell as well it it returns somewhat when my medication is working .

We were told that the labeling of thoughts and expressing them are part of our "Executive Functions", along with organizational ability. We have been experiencing the loss of these non visible cognitive issues for some time now and it isn't getting better. That part is very hard to take. Our Neurologist explained it like this: Our brain and its thoughts have to go along way to go from retrieving a thought to be able to express what you think with words you "just have". She says to think of each thought as having to go down a long stairway into the brain's central "computer" which houses lots of files. The thought has to go down those stairs and retrieve the correct response to the stimulus and then go all the way back up the stairs with the idea and then try to find the right words to express what you know. this is one of the most frustrating parts of PD. No you're not going nuts, developing dementia or "losing it". But your ability to express those thoughts is compromised and the struggle is real.

Judy's sense of smell is sometimes "spot on" and other times, it isn't there at all. That has been identified as part of PD

We wish you a Blessed week and a very Merry Christmas