Zicam Victim - Price on Your Sense of Smell/Taste?

LakeCleElum · 06-18-2009, 08:00 AM

I've had no sense of smell or taste in the past 16 months. This all stated after I was recovering from a cold and then caught a 2nd, bad cold while outdoors in Feb. in the Las Vegas desert in Feb. My cold symptoms included constant sneezing to the point I would vomit.

I called my Doc. from the airport to have prescription of anti-bodics waiting when I got home. In the meantime, I was using Zicam and over the counter cold remedies.

It took forever to get over the cold and I never had a sense of taste/small since.

Long story short, I saw 3 doc's including a highly respected Ear, Nose, Throat Specialist. Tests included an MRI on my brain, Cat Scan, chest X-ray, etc. Final story was: You had a bad virus, sometimes you lose your taste/smell, stuff happens. Be happy we've ruled out cancer, brain tumor, etc......

It was about 6 months ago all my appointments ended. I've done some research on my own and find some that lose their taste/small are despondent, even suicidal. It's had a big impact on my quality of life!

Fast Forward to yesterday's news: Zi-Cam has been recalled, over 130 people report permanent loss of taste/smell due to zinc in the product. (Make that 131 now).

I've never been one to sue, but I really feel we pay a very high price for our medications, partly due to the high cost of research and testing. I'm considering joining one of these "class-action" suits.

Just wondering, if someone offered you a sum of money to give up your sense of taste/smell, how much is it worth to you?

TerryH · TerryH's Garage

You absolutely deserve major compensation if the drug proves to the be the cause. How do you put a number on that? You could die in fire because of it. It affects every part of your life including sex. But not tasting that beer and pizza ..... seriously, multiple million$.

I would at least consult an attorney. Class actions usually leave the lawyers rich and the damaged parties wanting more.

Dottore · 06-18-2009, 09:16 AM

Funny you should ask. A friend of ours was lightly hit by a taxi in a crosswalk and knocked her head on the sidewalk. She sustained no visible damage, but lost her sense of taste and smell as confirmed by three separate neurologists.

She sued ICBC (the drivers insurers) and eventually settled for $100K. That's Canada. In the US—who knows?

The neurologists all opined that her sense of taste and smell could come back at any time (although it has now been four years)—and that is likely to have been a major factor in the quantum.

jhynesrockmtn · 06-18-2009, 10:16 AM

My fiance and I are counting ourselves lucky after hearing this. We swabbed quite a bit of that stuff in our noses last winter. It would have a huge impact on our lives. She's a fabulous cook, we love good wine, enjoy each other, etc.

The safety aspect of having a sense of smell is huge. How many times have you caught something over the years going wrong with the car/house/motorcycle by smelling burning wire, oil, gas fumes, etc. It looks like they had many more cases reported to them they were filing away and therefore were aware of the concerns. That's huge to me, the fact they knew there was a potential issue and they sat on it. I don't know how to put a price on it but $100,000 certainly doesn't begin to seem like enough.

stomachmonkey · 06-18-2009, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerryH

I would at least consult an attorney. Class actions usually leave the lawyers rich and the damaged parties wanting more.

Yup,

We are going to see a flood of advertisements and mailings looking for "victims".

They way a class works is the firm that retains the most people becomes the lead in the action and are the ones who stand to make the most coin.

Then come the other firms, then come the victims.

Problem with something like this is the amount of investigation it will take to win. Big firms with deep pockets have the resources for all the medical experts/research etc.

I'd be looking to make a side deal as quick as possible before the class actions get into full swing.

Moses · 06-18-2009, 10:42 AM

Zeke · 06-18-2009, 10:53 AM

You may get it back. May is the key word. If you only took the Zicam until your prescription was ready and never took it again, I guess you may not.

I'm sure there will be a class action suit. Those take forever, produce little for the plaintiff, and feed the lawyers' families for a long time. However, getting a lawyer to represent you as an individual against a huge "pharmaceutical" company might be a long shot.

We're screwed at the drug counter anymore.

Amail · 06-18-2009, 11:24 AM

I used Zicam once and lost my sense of taste and smell, but it lasted only about 2-3 weeks. Came back after that. I decided then and there I was going to stay away from it.

Guess I should count myself lucky.

johnco · 06-18-2009, 11:29 AM

lost my sense of smell for about 10 years until a few years ago. couldn't even smell ammonia or chlorine with my nose in the bucket. not fun.

masraum · 06-18-2009, 11:31 AM

Wow, that really sucks! I'd say that you deserve some compensation.

Shadetree930 · 06-18-2009, 11:33 AM

How will potential class action participants be able to provide evidence their loss is associated with using Zicam?

Since its over the counter and not prescription, where is the paper trail that could be used to demonstrate inclusion in the class?

Just wondering .... you know the defense is going to be asking the same question.

Zeke · 06-18-2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadetree930

How will potential class action participants be able to provide evidence their loss is associated with using Zicam?

Since its over the counter and not prescription, where is the paper trail that could be used to demonstrate inclusion in the class?

Just wondering .... you know the defense is going to be asking the same question.

I'd say all those doctor appt's that Lake wen thru would suffice.

Jeff Higgins · 06-18-2009, 12:06 PM

I thought something was afoot; I thought you had lost your taste in cars when you bought that damn black thing.

Now I see it is actually more serious than that.

Seriously, though, I'm not sure we can put a price on a quality of life issue as big as this one. I hope you some day regain your senses, so you can enjoy those wonderful XXX breakfast burritos like the rest of us.

Missed you at the VME last month. There was a great turnout, with some really cool machines coming out, now that it's getting sunny.

legion · 06-18-2009, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerryH

It affects every part of your life including sex.

Well, it does open up the possibility to date the "smelly" ladies, doesn't it?

Zeke · 06-18-2009, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legion

Well, it does open up the possibility to date the "smelly" ladies, doesn't it?

Especially if he lost his "taste."

Now, you can take that a couple of different ways.

Gogar · 06-18-2009, 12:37 PM

Oh please lord, not another smelly cratch thread . . . . .

pwd72s · 06-18-2009, 12:39 PM

Hoot! Just noted the ads at the bottom of this thread. The class action lawyers are already looking for clients...

johnco · 06-18-2009, 12:46 PM

especially bad when she has to tell you she's not too "fresh" today

TerryH · TerryH's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Hoot! Just noted the ads at the bottom of this thread. The class action lawyers are already looking for clients...

I noticed long ago that the ads follow the subject matter here.

As for smelly sex, I was alluding to pheromones and other unconscious/subconscious odors.

LakeCleElum · 06-18-2009, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

I thought something was afoot; I thought you had lost your taste in cars when you bought that damn black thing.

Now I see it is actually more serious than that.

Seriously, though, I'm not sure we can put a price on a quality of life issue as big as this one. I hope you some day regain your senses, so you can enjoy those wonderful XXX breakfast burritos like the rest of us.

Missed you at the VME last month. There was a great turnout, with some really cool machines coming out, now that it's getting sunny.

UR a funny guy Jeff - I have big plans for that black '69 911 someday, I should paint it now since I can't smell the fumes. Missed VME as I was in Europe 3 weeks, will try to make that and XXX in July.

Those pointing out this is dangerous are right, I had all the fuel leak out of a m/c thru a stuck float and didn't even know my garage was full of fumes until my wife came home the next day. I could have burnt the house down.

Regarding a "paper trail", after I made the post this morning, I found my 1/2 used bottle to Zicam tablets that has a bar code and shows and expire date. I think I used up the nasal spray and discarded the bottle. I have a very good "personal injury lawyer friend". I've sent him several clients over the years. I know his share on one was over $150,000 just a few months ago. I think he'll treat me well. Well......gotta run, looks like another kitchen fire is going......(kidding)