Taste Buds

tasha_111
tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
edited March 2014 in Long-Term Effects of Treatment #1
When will my taste buds return to normal? I love (loved) food, but since the start of chemo in feb. I either can't taste it or it tastes absolutely revolting. I finished chemo in July, but I still have this horrible taste in my mouth and my tongue is discoloured and dead/pins and needles at the tip, it feels like it just doesn't belong in there. Does this last forever? I am a lot better now than I was whilst on chemo, I couldn't eat anything for weeks then. Any advice much appreciated. Thanks Julia

Comments

  • Pnktopaz10
    Pnktopaz10 Member Posts: 56
    #2
    I am wondering the same thing. I keep losing weight because food tastes like nothing or it is terrible. I finished chemo and radiation (on my neck) just a few weeks ago so perhaps I have not given it much time but I can;t eat CHOCOLATE! and that is really a bummer. Take care and I hope that your taste buds return.
  • scrummy3
    scrummy3 Member Posts: 10
    #3
    Pnktopaz10 said:

    I am wondering the same thing. I keep losing weight because food tastes like nothing or it is terrible. I finished chemo and radiation (on my neck) just a few weeks ago so perhaps I have not given it much time but I can;t eat CHOCOLATE! and that is really a bummer. Take care and I hope that your taste buds return.

    Tastebuds
    Hi,
    Finished chemo in Feb 2005. My taste buds were only really bad during a part of an infusion cycle (three weeks). Things would taste like cardboard for about 5-7 days and then return to somewhat normal. After my final treatment, I seem to recall it took a little longer, but they did return.

    Have you tried "provoking" them? When things tasted bland, I buried everything in ketchup and spices. I found orange soda and ginger ale also worked well (carbonation and acids, perhaps?). Does your oncologist have any suggestions?

    Best of luck.

    ---
    JB
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    #4
    scrummy3 said:

    Tastebuds
    Hi,
    Finished chemo in Feb 2005. My taste buds were only really bad during a part of an infusion cycle (three weeks). Things would taste like cardboard for about 5-7 days and then return to somewhat normal. After my final treatment, I seem to recall it took a little longer, but they did return.

    Have you tried "provoking" them? When things tasted bland, I buried everything in ketchup and spices. I found orange soda and ginger ale also worked well (carbonation and acids, perhaps?). Does your oncologist have any suggestions?

    Best of luck.

    ---
    JB

    taste
    My oncologist suggested I ask anyone else BUT him about my side effects, and get the hell out of my office--- "I'm a very busy man" I tell ya, I am learning so much more in here than he ever told me. Thanks all for your replies though I'll try scoffing some spicy stuff. Thanks Julia
  • Craig S
    Craig S Member Posts: 11
    #5
    tasha_111 said:

    taste
    My oncologist suggested I ask anyone else BUT him about my side effects, and get the hell out of my office--- "I'm a very busy man" I tell ya, I am learning so much more in here than he ever told me. Thanks all for your replies though I'll try scoffing some spicy stuff. Thanks Julia

    Bacon
    My funky mouth didn't last as long as yours, but my magic food was bacon. I couldn't get enough bacon cheeseburgers. Normally I eat pretty healthy, but I figured I might as well enjoy eating with all the other stuff I was going through.

    Good luck.

Discussion Boards