losing taste for food from side effects of chemo..any suggestions?

tammybrook
tammybrook Member Posts: 43
edited November 2011 in Colorectal Cancer #1
does anyone have suggestions to help with the metallic taste that happens with chemo? di it last for a long time?

Comments

  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #2
    Tammy.....
    I did not do anything when I lost the ability to taste food or drink during chemo. Unfortunately, chemo kills the faster growing cells in the body. That's why our hair thins out or we lose it altogether.

    The mouth has alot of those fast growing cells as well, so from time to time, the chemo will alter taste of anything we introduce into our mouths. They are replaced and you will be able to taste again. But, during chemo this cycle will repeat, so this is going to be an on-going issue until your treatment ends.

    And of course, when treatment ends, those type of cells can thrive again since chemo is not knocking them around.

    You might try to see if a lemon or lime will help ease the metallic taste. Something citrus might counter-balance that sensation a little bit better.

    I just lived with it - and it passed - had it happen again - it passed - etc.etc.

    And for sustenance, just try and eat or drink anything that you can tolerate that tastes marginal. Try and keep your weight up. Protein shakes or something like that, might be able to help you with nutrition.

    It sounds like you are doing the Oxaliplatin chemo, which is a platinum based drug, and thus metallic in nature. This is why you are having this. It is common.

    This is all I know to tell you right now. There is probably someone else who might know something to help with the taste.

    It's a hard road and I can't sugar coat it - just hang in there with us.

    -Craig
  • laurettas
    laurettas Member Posts: 372
    #3
    A couple of things
    My husband's suggestions: rinsing with the salt/soda water, Red Hots and Tums and above, just keep eating. The more he snacks the less digestive troubles he has. Of course he is getting a little chunky but, oh, well!
  • flyguide
    flyguide Member Posts: 27
    #4
    Accupunture and chinese
    Accupunture and chinese herbs she gave me..I went from not being able to walk through a grocery store because of the smells and nothing taste the same to eating bbq just after they pulled pump out of my port..crazy but it worked..one a week untill your better..I am on my 25th round of chemo and everything taste and smells normal!! good luck..I wish you strength in your battle..fly guide or sean
  • tammybrook
    tammybrook Member Posts: 43
    #5
    flyguide said:

    Accupunture and chinese
    Accupunture and chinese herbs she gave me..I went from not being able to walk through a grocery store because of the smells and nothing taste the same to eating bbq just after they pulled pump out of my port..crazy but it worked..one a week untill your better..I am on my 25th round of chemo and everything taste and smells normal!! good luck..I wish you strength in your battle..fly guide or sean

    no taste for food
    thanks all...this is my dad who it is happening to...his first round of chem it happened also....hes on xeloda pills/irocotecan?spelling, and avastin...it did go away also for him last time...heard about lemon/lime or spices...wish he would try acupuncture or herbs...guess we have to keep trying different things...

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