loss of taste

24

Comments

  • staceya
    staceya Member Posts: 720
    #22
    AppraiserGirl said:

    Love to all you survivors!
    Jim, you are wonderful!! I love the post about getting your taste back - your attitude is terrific!

    I wish my brother was as positive. His attitude is not so great. He has four more rad treatments and is experiencing dry mouth and a lot of mucuous. He drinks water constantly so I'm not really worried about hydration, would not get a PEG tube and can barely get Instant Breakfast down so I'm worried about nutrition. He is reluctant to try different foods. I hope he will recover well. Guess the only thing to do is take it day by day.

    All of you guys are great and I am so thankful to have your info. Jim, I wonder if cough syrup would taste like Cognac?

    Take care all of you!

    Well that certainly would be
    Well that certainly would be very clever if cough syrup did taste like cognac, post rads.
    As everyone says, your brother is still in the midst of it all and at what I remember to be the worst part. Time time and more time..things are just getting better for me at 4 months post. Keep trying and if it doesn't work one week try again.
    Stacey
  • staceya
    staceya Member Posts: 720
    #23
    rush1958 said:

    Taste
    Hang in there.

    On Saturday I tried a buffet to see what I could taste. Salads and veggies were good, but the main menu items left alot to be desired. I tried sweets from the dessert bar, but they had absolutely no taste at all.

    On Sunday I went with my wife to the grocery store. She tried to get me to try some sweet cherries, but I knew I couldn't taste them. To make a long story short, she got me to try one and I could taste it! It was sweet! I actually cried in the store..... That was the first time since early April that I had tasted "sweet."

    Less than 24 hours made the difference from not being able to taste something and getting the taste back. Be adventurous!!!

    Rush

    Its funny how emotional it
    Its funny how emotional it is to taste after not being able to taste.
    I would have never thought it would be as intense a feeling as it is!
    I like the boost in plastic cups, and iced coffee frappes!
    mmmm
    Stacey
  • rozaroo
    rozaroo Member Posts: 665
    #24
    staceya said:

    Its funny how emotional it
    Its funny how emotional it is to taste after not being able to taste.
    I would have never thought it would be as intense a feeling as it is!
    I like the boost in plastic cups, and iced coffee frappes!
    mmmm
    Stacey

    Taste!
    I now consider eating a culinary adventure lol! Each day is getting much better & I am getting braver to venture out more. I so miss going out for lunch or dinner but was afraid to choke or spill something plus embarass the people that I am with. I am about four & a half month's post treatment & can really feel the difference!
  • rozaroo
    rozaroo Member Posts: 665
    #25
    staceya said:

    Its funny how emotional it
    Its funny how emotional it is to taste after not being able to taste.
    I would have never thought it would be as intense a feeling as it is!
    I like the boost in plastic cups, and iced coffee frappes!
    mmmm
    Stacey

    Taste!
    I now consider eating a culinary adventure lol! Each day is getting much better & I am getting braver to venture out more. I so miss going out for lunch or dinner but was afraid to choke or spill something plus embarass the people that I am with. I am about four & a half month's post treatment & can really feel the difference!
  • rozaroo
    rozaroo Member Posts: 665
    #26
    staceya said:

    Its funny how emotional it
    Its funny how emotional it is to taste after not being able to taste.
    I would have never thought it would be as intense a feeling as it is!
    I like the boost in plastic cups, and iced coffee frappes!
    mmmm
    Stacey

    Taste!
    I now consider eating a culinary adventure lol! Each day is getting much better & I am getting braver to venture out more. I so miss going out for lunch or dinner but was afraid to choke or spill something plus embarass the people that I am with. I am about four & a half month's post treatment & can really feel the difference!
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973
    #27
    rozaroo said:

    Taste!
    I now consider eating a culinary adventure lol! Each day is getting much better & I am getting braver to venture out more. I so miss going out for lunch or dinner but was afraid to choke or spill something plus embarass the people that I am with. I am about four & a half month's post treatment & can really feel the difference!

    Salad Vegetable and Fruit
    Most of us have taste and eating issues. You will find the things you can taste the most - are salads and fruit.

    Coincidentally, these are the best things for you. Turn this 'disadvantage' into an 'ADVANTAGE' and focus on eating healthy salads and fruits. You can get very creative with vegetable recipes and salads, and salad dressings (Sesame oil + Olive Oil + Dash of light Soy one of my Favs). Try new vegetables in your salads. Beetroot, avocado, and get the bright colored vegetables in there. They are full of good nutrition.

    You will find you can taste them and enjoy them and you get the bonus of getting healthier. Make sure you get a few nuts into you during the day and maybe a health shake to top up on nutrients. I do this now and I feel the best I have in over 15 years despite the horrible experience of going through treatment. I finished rads October 10 last year (2009).

    All the best
    Scambuster
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #28
    staceya said:

    Its funny how emotional it
    Its funny how emotional it is to taste after not being able to taste.
    I would have never thought it would be as intense a feeling as it is!
    I like the boost in plastic cups, and iced coffee frappes!
    mmmm
    Stacey

    Water
    While I'm super appreciative that I have regained most of all of the taste in food as before. One thing that I'm really greatful for is that water tastes like water again....

    There was a period about half way through the rads where water just plain tasted like sweat....and water has always been the only thing that truely quinches my thirst...sooo glad it tastes like water again.

    Best,
    John
  • davidgskinner
    davidgskinner Member Posts: 81
    #29
    Skiffin16 said:

    Water
    While I'm super appreciative that I have regained most of all of the taste in food as before. One thing that I'm really greatful for is that water tastes like water again....

    There was a period about half way through the rads where water just plain tasted like sweat....and water has always been the only thing that truely quinches my thirst...sooo glad it tastes like water again.

    Best,
    John

    Amen to that
    I was just thinking today how good it is to drink plain old, room temperature water from a tap. Great big swallows....and bottled water is like an imported champagne for me or something. Vive L'eau...
  • robert77dr
    robert77dr Member Posts: 54
    #30
    taste
    I have had 9 chemo and 35 radiation treatments I have been finished with my last treatment for 2 1/2 months but i still cain't eat or swallow food has no taste and it's hard to swallow hurts very bad my throat seen's swollen I am still useing a feeding tube but the ensure i use makes me sick and gives me heartburns I dont seen to be geting any better and get very depressed at times. Any help please let me know.
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973
    #31
    robert77dr said:

    taste
    I have had 9 chemo and 35 radiation treatments I have been finished with my last treatment for 2 1/2 months but i still cain't eat or swallow food has no taste and it's hard to swallow hurts very bad my throat seen's swollen I am still useing a feeding tube but the ensure i use makes me sick and gives me heartburns I dont seen to be geting any better and get very depressed at times. Any help please let me know.

    Sent you a PM
    Hi Robert,

    I have sent you a PM (Private message).

    Scam
  • robert77dr
    robert77dr Member Posts: 54
    #32
    staceya said:

    Its funny how emotional it
    Its funny how emotional it is to taste after not being able to taste.
    I would have never thought it would be as intense a feeling as it is!
    I like the boost in plastic cups, and iced coffee frappes!
    mmmm
    Stacey

    Beer
    I am going on 5 1/2 mounts of no taste or eating I tried a can of beer and it burnt my mouth to bad I like beer what type would be the best?
  • KristynRuth86
    KristynRuth86 Member Posts: 140
    #33
    Scambuster said:

    Sent you a PM
    Hi Robert,

    I have sent you a PM (Private message).

    Scam

    PB & Jelly!
    I had 2 chemos and 35 rads and sweet stuff also isn't the same for me. I am 5 months post and the thing that I miss the most is peanut butter! It still just tastes like cardboard! I used to eat 3 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at a time, lol, not anymore though. It's such a bummer! Also chocolate isn't as good :( Bread is ok, but it's so tough to swallow, and milk, milk is not that good anymore either! On the plus side, I have maintained my skinny frame! It's a major bummer and I'm sorry that we all have to go through this! Hang in there!
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #34
    KristynRuth86 said:

    PB & Jelly!
    I had 2 chemos and 35 rads and sweet stuff also isn't the same for me. I am 5 months post and the thing that I miss the most is peanut butter! It still just tastes like cardboard! I used to eat 3 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at a time, lol, not anymore though. It's such a bummer! Also chocolate isn't as good :( Bread is ok, but it's so tough to swallow, and milk, milk is not that good anymore either! On the plus side, I have maintained my skinny frame! It's a major bummer and I'm sorry that we all have to go through this! Hang in there!

    KristynRuth
    I found a peanut butter and jelly ice cream that I can eat. It's really good. Wegman's brand. It's like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with out the bread. The peanut butter ice cream is just like peanut butter, but I can swallow it, and it has big grape jelly swirls. :)
  • KristynRuth86
    KristynRuth86 Member Posts: 140
    #35
    sweetblood22 said:

    KristynRuth
    I found a peanut butter and jelly ice cream that I can eat. It's really good. Wegman's brand. It's like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with out the bread. The peanut butter ice cream is just like peanut butter, but I can swallow it, and it has big grape jelly swirls. :)

    Sweet
    omggggg that sounds sooooooooo good!! *drools* lol
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #36
    KristynRuth86 said:

    Sweet
    omggggg that sounds sooooooooo good!! *drools* lol

    So good!
    It is really good. I don't know if there are other brands that make PBJ ice cream or not.



    PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY ICE CREAM

    VEGAN PNT BTR JELLY ICE CREAM RECIPE

    Or you can cheat and probably make your own with peanut butter ice cream or peanut butter folded into vanilla ice cream.


    Ok, so I guess I will go start dinner now cause I am hungry. :) That made my belly growl. Haven't found anything yet that can make me drool!
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #37
    robert77dr said:

    Beer
    I am going on 5 1/2 mounts of no taste or eating I tried a can of beer and it burnt my mouth to bad I like beer what type would be the best?

    To Try
    While some don't advocate alcohol, I too like a beer or two...

    I like Corona Lites, but you might try one of the non-alcohol beers just for the taste, other wise a light beer might not burn you.

    I haven't had the burning problems a lot have had...but I'm nearly two years post treatment of 16 weeks of chemo and chemo/rads.

    I did have problems with acidic juices, but that has also gotten better.

    Best,
    John
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #38
    KristynRuth86 said:

    PB & Jelly!
    I had 2 chemos and 35 rads and sweet stuff also isn't the same for me. I am 5 months post and the thing that I miss the most is peanut butter! It still just tastes like cardboard! I used to eat 3 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at a time, lol, not anymore though. It's such a bummer! Also chocolate isn't as good :( Bread is ok, but it's so tough to swallow, and milk, milk is not that good anymore either! On the plus side, I have maintained my skinny frame! It's a major bummer and I'm sorry that we all have to go through this! Hang in there!

    Milk
    Kristyn, it will get better, or more than likely will...

    As you know, I am nearly two years post chemo/rads. I have always been a big milk drinker, and do like some chocolate mostly toffee or chocolate almond bars, oreos.

    It took a really long time before milk tastes good again, and even longer for chocolate, but they have both come back and are as good as ever.

    I do still have problems with some sweets, but mainly ice cream...not sure why, might be something with the coldness.

    Best,
    John
  • Grafikdsgnr
    Grafikdsgnr Member Posts: 11
    #39
    Skiffin16 said:

    Milk
    Kristyn, it will get better, or more than likely will...

    As you know, I am nearly two years post chemo/rads. I have always been a big milk drinker, and do like some chocolate mostly toffee or chocolate almond bars, oreos.

    It took a really long time before milk tastes good again, and even longer for chocolate, but they have both come back and are as good as ever.

    I do still have problems with some sweets, but mainly ice cream...not sure why, might be something with the coldness.

    Best,
    John

    Much-Needed Encouragement From all of You!
    Thanks so much to all of you who have responded on this site. I am heading into my 4th week of 35 rad treatments. I could have never possibly related to anyone talking about a loss of taste. I now have total empathy!!! And, how much taste is one of the 2 highest, ultimate pleasures in life. When it's gone, it's devastating.

    I have already completely lost my taste combined with an extremely raw throat, sunburn and ongoing heartburn. Everything I eat tastes like I am eating a non-scented bar of soap covered in lard with a hint of tin-foil!

    Up till now, I have always been really healthy, active and exercised regularly. This really blind-sided me! I'm trying to maintain as normal a life as before and keep up with my business at the same time. I'm blessed because I'm really busy, but because of the 3hrs a day away from my office to do the treatments, I'm having to go in really, really early, stay late and make up time on the weekends to keep up with it all. I'm starting to feel a little fatigued because of these hrs combined with the fact that I now absolutely dread the thought of eating! I'm starting to lose weight because my calorie intake is really down. They're telling me that I need to listen to my body and slow down. Hasn't been my nature and it messes with your mind. Experimenting every day just trying to find anything hi-protein that will go down easily and possibly provide me with a hint of taste.

    Thanks so much to all of you for hope! I needed to hear that my taste can possibly return. I was so mistaken to think that water (the most basic of taste's) had no taste! Like you, John and others, I long for the day of savoring the wonderful 'taste' of water again. I had no idea.

    I am so-o-o-o happy to still be on this side of the grass, though.

    Again,
    Thanks for the hope,
    Pete
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #40
    Grafikdsgnr said:

    Much-Needed Encouragement From all of You!
    Thanks so much to all of you who have responded on this site. I am heading into my 4th week of 35 rad treatments. I could have never possibly related to anyone talking about a loss of taste. I now have total empathy!!! And, how much taste is one of the 2 highest, ultimate pleasures in life. When it's gone, it's devastating.

    I have already completely lost my taste combined with an extremely raw throat, sunburn and ongoing heartburn. Everything I eat tastes like I am eating a non-scented bar of soap covered in lard with a hint of tin-foil!

    Up till now, I have always been really healthy, active and exercised regularly. This really blind-sided me! I'm trying to maintain as normal a life as before and keep up with my business at the same time. I'm blessed because I'm really busy, but because of the 3hrs a day away from my office to do the treatments, I'm having to go in really, really early, stay late and make up time on the weekends to keep up with it all. I'm starting to feel a little fatigued because of these hrs combined with the fact that I now absolutely dread the thought of eating! I'm starting to lose weight because my calorie intake is really down. They're telling me that I need to listen to my body and slow down. Hasn't been my nature and it messes with your mind. Experimenting every day just trying to find anything hi-protein that will go down easily and possibly provide me with a hint of taste.

    Thanks so much to all of you for hope! I needed to hear that my taste can possibly return. I was so mistaken to think that water (the most basic of taste's) had no taste! Like you, John and others, I long for the day of savoring the wonderful 'taste' of water again. I had no idea.

    I am so-o-o-o happy to still be on this side of the grass, though.

    Again,
    Thanks for the hope,
    Pete

    Hi Pete
    Welcome to the family here on CSN, sorry to hear about you having this C stuff but you have found the right place for answers to your many questions

    Have a great day my friend
    Hondo
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #41
    Grafikdsgnr said:

    Much-Needed Encouragement From all of You!
    Thanks so much to all of you who have responded on this site. I am heading into my 4th week of 35 rad treatments. I could have never possibly related to anyone talking about a loss of taste. I now have total empathy!!! And, how much taste is one of the 2 highest, ultimate pleasures in life. When it's gone, it's devastating.

    I have already completely lost my taste combined with an extremely raw throat, sunburn and ongoing heartburn. Everything I eat tastes like I am eating a non-scented bar of soap covered in lard with a hint of tin-foil!

    Up till now, I have always been really healthy, active and exercised regularly. This really blind-sided me! I'm trying to maintain as normal a life as before and keep up with my business at the same time. I'm blessed because I'm really busy, but because of the 3hrs a day away from my office to do the treatments, I'm having to go in really, really early, stay late and make up time on the weekends to keep up with it all. I'm starting to feel a little fatigued because of these hrs combined with the fact that I now absolutely dread the thought of eating! I'm starting to lose weight because my calorie intake is really down. They're telling me that I need to listen to my body and slow down. Hasn't been my nature and it messes with your mind. Experimenting every day just trying to find anything hi-protein that will go down easily and possibly provide me with a hint of taste.

    Thanks so much to all of you for hope! I needed to hear that my taste can possibly return. I was so mistaken to think that water (the most basic of taste's) had no taste! Like you, John and others, I long for the day of savoring the wonderful 'taste' of water again. I had no idea.

    I am so-o-o-o happy to still be on this side of the grass, though.

    Again,
    Thanks for the hope,
    Pete

    Pete The Man....
    Well it's about time you quit lurking, I was wondering when you were finally going to post...I've had my eye on you for several weeks now, LOL....

    Welcome to the forum Pete....

    Yes, water even tasted like sweat to me at my worse. I'm over 2 /2 years post treatment now, and all is good.

    I have pretty much all of my taste and nearly all saliva...other than a little at night during sleep.

    Like you said, "Other than having cancer, I was in perfect health,
    LOL"....

    You sound to have the right attitude,and I'm sure you will do well.

    BTW, since that post in March above....,I can now also taste ice cream, and yummmm, it's as good as ever.

    Best,
    John

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