Long-term taste deficiency
 

Do others have this problem? It's not up there with the serious stuff, but...

It's been over 3 years since chemo, and my taste buds still haven't woken up! Every year I look forward to NEXT year when I'll be able to taste vine-ripened tomatoes and other good food.

I expected it during chemo, but not this long! I think it really started when I started Taxol+Herceptin. Before that (A/C), everything tasted awful, but I could taste!

I'd like to hear your experiences (and hopefully your solutions!)

Thanks. - Carol

Re: Can you taste?
 

Hi Carol,

I actually saw your post yesterday and didn't read it because so many posts about taste are from the standpoint of someone currently in treatment. I've become that discouraged over time about it. I'm 7 years out from CAFx6 and my taste buds are still muted too. I'm sorry you are also suffering from this and puzzled by it.

At first I thought it might at least help prevent weight gain, but it hasn't done so, as the hunger is constant and so I eat even though things don't have much taste. Another weird thing is that I don't have the same sense of feeling full that I used to have with eating.

I tend to favor very sour or very salty things for the most part, just to get SOME taste with eating.

I don't know where all of this is based, whether it is a brain thing that was damaged, or the sensory glands/tissues themselves, or the conduction pathways.

Sympathetically,

AlaskaAngel

AFTER chemo taste deficiencies
 

Thanks, Alaska Angel. I changed the title, hoping others long finished with chemo will read my question.

Recently I've been hearing that thyroid issues are common with brain injury. I wonder if that could be related to the hunger feeling? I haven't noticed that myself.

I am learning as much as I can about the brain, since I'm still seriously impacted by chemo brain. The brain really is amazing, and I'm glad to learn that it has abilities way beyond computers to build itself new ways to do things!

Here's a fascinating book: " The Brain That Changes Itself" by Norman Doidge, MD. Nothing about taste though...

- Carol

Re: Can you taste?
 

I also have experienced some loss of taste. More like a CHANGE in the way things taste. With AC, everything tasted terrible...metallic or something. Having said that, I wonder If I am just paying more attention to details like taste, smell, etc. now that I have been through different treatments. This is an interesting thread and I will look forward to seeing what everyone else has to say!

Re: Can you taste?
 

Unrelated to cancer, I have a cousin who lost his taste buds after a virus. It took several years (over 5) but they returned. Also, a good friend has chronic allergies, post nasel drip and stuffiness and does not take meds for anything. She has also lost almost all of her taste buds.

I think an ENT can weigh in on remedies, if you haven't already asked one.

I taste just fine (ha ha) but don't eat anything good. (wah-wah). You know - the whole gluten & dairy free.