Tips for the Metallic Taste
 

Hi everyone,
Does anyone have any good tips to help with the metallic taste in the mouth that chemo causes? It's driving my sister insane, so I'm trying to find some things I can suggest to her. So far gum has done the best job. Does it go away or does it last the whole treatment? She is on TCH, so will it lessen before the next treatment since they are 3 weeks apart?

Thanks so much.....
Kathleen

Re: Tips for the Metallic Taste
 

Green Apple Jolly Ranger candies...the only thing that helped me. They were my friend throughout my treatment plan. Hope it helps...

Re: Tips for the Metallic Taste
 

http://www.delightwater.com.

I found them after I was done with the chemo that caused that taste so I don't know if it works they way they say, but I have heard good things. I have tasted the water with my regular tastebuds and it's good.

I've been on five chemos and only carboplatin did it to me.

By the end of my 3 week tx it lessened and I could start to taste again but it didn't come back all the way. But, it did come back pretty quick when I was done with treatment and it came back to complete normal. I know I was worried that maybe I'd never be able to taste things again but it wasn't long before I was back to normal.

I've never had a sweet tooth in my life but since sugar was about the only thing I could taste on that particular chemo, I ate cookies and cupcakes and the like.

I'm very glad that later chemos have not given me that side effect because it is not pleasant. It's crazy too because the steroids make you so hungry but you can't taste anythng!

Good luck to your sister.

Re: Tips for the Metallic Taste
 

Try using plastic utensils instead of stainless and bottled beverages instead of canned. Also, zinc supplements helped counter balance the metallic taste from the carboplatin.

Re: Tips for the Metallic Taste
 

I was like CoolBreeze - nothing tasted right unless it was very cold and sweet (so Popsicles was my main diet component for several months). I did find that if I had a popsicle or bowl of sherbert before a meal, sometimes I could finish at least part of it.

Re: Tips for the Metallic Taste
 

It also helps to rinse your mouth with water and baking soda right before you eat.

I second the plastic utensil idea, that made a big difference for me.


Laurie

Re: Tips for the Metallic Taste
 

Thanks so much, everyone. These are great tips! I sent them on to my sister and I already got her 2 bags of jolly ranchers. :) She said the apple ones helped!...thanks, Anna. Each week I feel like we conquer something together...Now that we're have some things to help with the metallic taste, our next thing to conquer is Thursday...we're going to get her head shaved. :( One step at a time though right? Soon we'll be on the other side of this thing. :)

Re: Tips for the Metallic Taste
 

Kathleen:

You are a wonderful sister!

Re: Tips for the Metallic Taste
 

This is a timely topic for me too....the nurses told me lemon drs or lemon heads, but the jolly rancher sour apple sounds better....my metallic mouth lasts about 5 or 6 days after Taxotere, then things improve...thanks for the tip!!!