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Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections (PRP)’s Reviews

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Patients Say

Positives

  • Some long-COVID sufferers report that intranasal PRP let subtle flavours return—one user tasted spiced almonds “for the first time in 3 + years” after two injections. Reddit

  • A r/Parosmia participant said that after the 2nd – 3rd session he could smell more objects and foul “burning-hair” odors became merely “sickly sweet.” Reddit

  • Chrissi Kelly, the first UK recipient, already picks up coffee and winter-flowering jasmine again and calls the change “thrilling.” The Guardian

  • In Stanford’s randomized trial, 57 % of long-COVID patients had clinically meaningful smell gains versus 8 % on placebo. Stanford Medicine

  • An ENT researcher recounts “dozens” of patients now smelling grass and tasting chocolate normally after only two PRP treatments. Drug Discovery News

Negatives

  • The same r/Parosmia writer still finds coffee “one of the worst offenders” and doubts the $6 k out-of-pocket cost is worth modest gains. Reddit

  • Charity Fifth Sense notes published studies where some volunteers showed no improvement at all. Fifth Sense

  • A specialist says injection-delivered PRP helped fewer people than his newer cellulose-“widget” method, highlighting variable results. Drug Discovery News

  • In r/covidlonghaulers, people anosmic for four years discuss PRP but remain uncertain whether it will help. Reddit

  • One Reddit commenter warns the shots are “super painful,” discouraging would-be users. Reddit

Hurdles & Side Effects

  • Patients describe eye-watering pressure as needles reach eyebrow-level inside the nose. Reddit

  • 24-hour pounding headaches are common after each round. Reddit

  • Standard protocol involves three procedures over six weeks plus a blood draw every visit. Reddit

  • Typical price in the U.S. is ~$6,000 and insurers rarely cover it. Reddit

  • Treatment is still experimental and not yet approved by NICE/NHS, so UK patients must self-fund or travel. Fifth Sense

  • Many doctors pair PRP with daily steroid rinses and smell-training kits, adding time and cost burdens. Reddit

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Tell us how Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections (PRP) treated you

Patient reviews are the engine that keeps this page helpful. Whether you improved tremendously, got worse, or landed somewhere in between, your story helps someone with similar conditions make a more intelligent decision. Add your review.

Salvatore Mattera

Salvatore Mattera

@Salvatore Mattera

Expensive, but noticeably improved my sense of smell

Chronic Illnesses: Long COVID
Symptoms Treated: Loss of Smell - Better long time
Side Effects Experienced: Bloody Nose

I first lost my sense of smell from COVID back in 2021. For the first year, I couldn't smell anything at all. Over time, it very gradually improved, but the process was slow and limited. By early 2024, I could smell things up close again, but I couldn't smell anything at a distance. For example, in the past, if I walked into a movie theater, I'd be able to smell the popcorn just walking by the lobby. Now, I couldn't smell it unless I literally shoved my head into the popcorn bucket. Over the course of about 2 months, I had three rounds of PRP injections into my nasal cavity. The procedure greatly improved my sense of smell at a distance. Unfortunately, it didn't totally resolve my smell issues. Even after the procedure, there were still some scents I couldn't smell. It was costly, and insurance didn't cover it, but I didn't regret it and would recommend it for anyone who can afford it and misses their sense of smell.

Details

  • Source Zara Patel at Stanford
  • Last used 1+ years ago
  • Times used 2-10 times
  • Insurance covered No
  • Cost per month $1000+

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