Loss of sense of tase and bloody nose

Sheryl H · 07-02-2007, 08:08 AM

Had my first taxotere and herceptin June 23rd. Will have three more taxotere treatments, two weeks apart, and herceptin for a year. Noticed my nose is bloody, just a little, when I blow it. And my tongue feels like I burnt it with hot coffee, and I am losing my sense of taste. I didn't see this as a side effect. Anything anyone has been able to do for this? Food doesn't have much taste.

LAURIE · 07-02-2007, 08:44 AM

I did not have taxotere but Taxol did cause me to have crusty and bloody boogers. (thats what I call them) I was worried it was the herceptin causing them, but it wasn't. I don't have them now. I used to put bacitracin up my nose, but it just made a icky feeling in my nose. I would think keeping your nose hydrated would help. Dr. Oz on oprah seems to really like the nettie pot. I have noticed my allergies are better with my port. I can always feel them flushing it throughout my sinuses. I am convinced it has helped my allergies.

As far as the diarrhea, I was loose during taxol, but no diarrhea. I have always had constipation problems my whole life so for the first time I think I was somewhat regular during taxol. Now I take a stool softener everyday to help me. Strong coffee really gets me going too. So maybe you should stay away from caffeine.

LAURIE · 07-02-2007, 08:45 AM

Sorry I was reading another post about the diarrhea. I don't know what i am doing anymore. I did not have loss of taste during taxol.

Sheila · 07-02-2007, 09:16 AM

Sheryl
I have had 3 doses of weekly Taxol and I also have nosebleeds...never had them before in my life, like everytime I blow my nose....I am wondering if it is dryness caused by the Benedryl premeds. I also have a sore mouth...like you said my tongue feels like it was burnt with hot coffee. I am really watching what I eat, no spicy foods, no citrus, no salt, no carbonation...can't give up my coffee though, but probably should. This has all happened since I started Taxol...I also noticed my gums bleed easily...I bought a MILD toothpaste and mouthwash made for chemo patients at Walgreens...it has helped!

naturaleigh · 07-02-2007, 09:26 AM

Yes, my nose bled from day one when on Taxol. If I bent down to pick something up, blood would drip out. It bled constantly. A few months after my treatment it did quit but my nose still crusts alot. The longer time passes the less the crust buildup.

kymelody · 07-02-2007, 10:23 AM

Had terrible nose bleeds while on Taxol ... more so the beginning of treatment .... they seemed to get better at the end, but never went anywhere without a tissue. Doctor recommended saline spray to keep nose moist. No loss of taste.

Gerri · 07-02-2007, 01:25 PM

When I switched to Herceptin only (every 3 weeks) I stopped getting pre-meds with my infusion. I too had a bloody nose when blowing. I can't say that my taste was affected, but my tongue was super sensitive to anything remotely spicy. I also suffered from acid reflex daily along with a myriad of other side effects. Ever so slowly they are subsiding. Can't wait to feel "normal" again!

PatS · 07-02-2007, 05:00 PM

I didn't have herceptin but did have taxotere and had the same with my tongue and bloody nose. Unfortunately, I didn't find anything to get rid of the symptoms.

Take care,
Pat

harrie · 07-02-2007, 06:39 PM

I typically had those symptoms with my taste buds in my mouth and my nose. Here is what helped considerably: Mouth: use a toothpaste without the sodium laurel sulfate (foaming agent). You can find this with Biotene or Rembradt toothpaste for cold sore sufferers. Stay away from mouthrinses containing alcohol. Crest Pro health does not have alcohol in it.
Nose: the inside lining of the nose can become impacted from the taxotere. What helped was the nasal sprays to keep it moist and at night when you sleep, line the inside of your nose with an antibiotic cream such as neopsporin. These things help, but will not make it 100% cleared. Just have to tolerate it until chemo is completed.
I know it is a hassle dealing with these side effects, but be tolerant, it is only temporary and overall worth the hassle.
Maryanne

kcherub · 07-02-2007, 09:35 PM

Hi, Sheryl! Finally, I can answer someone else's question.

I had my second treatment of TCH two weeks ago, and while this protocol doesn't use Taxol, is does use Taxotere. They are in the same family.

I had the taste issues both times. My treatments are on Fridays, and by Sunday night, my tastebuds are SHOT. By the Monday a week after (so on Day 10) my mouth is back to normal and things begin to taste normal again. The last two days before that, it feels like I burned my whole tongue on pizza. Not painful, just numb and annoying.

The only "food" I have tasted and noticed that it didn't taste quite right was ketchup. It must be the acidity of the tomatoes.

I use Biotene mouthwash and toothpaste, as well as Prevident before bed each night. They all help.

Good luck!
Krista

danceswithrain · 07-03-2007, 03:06 AM

Just had my 4th treatment Taxotere,carboplatin,Herceptin. Bloody crusty nose worse 1st two treatments. Saline spray helped. Also dry eyes used ointment at night & eye drops. Bad burnt taste but also no taste. watermelon was good as was green tea room temp. Room temp foods seem better. Marinol helped me eat when I couldn't. Taxotere seems to dry me out all over. My entire digestive system was burning. Still does starting about 3 days out. I take steroids for serveral days after treatment this helps me keep my food intake up as well as marinol on the days I just can't eat. Try things you wouldn't normally eat. I find I eat really weird stuff I would not eat before and things I loved tasted terrible. If you have any problems let me know I've been down the road with Taxotere it seems like I've had all the side effects at some point. It's getting easier now.
hugs
Vicki

doh2pa · 07-03-2007, 04:55 PM

Did taxotere last year and I know where you are coming from. Lots of great posts prior to mine. Also, I rinsed my mouth with warm water and baking soda about 3 times a day when the soreness got really bad and this seemed to help a bit. Best of luck, hope this works well for you!

Donna