Sense of taste

I think most people get it back but it is different for all, I couldn't eat much when I was on radio and chemo and had most through a tube, I used to go to meetings with Heads2gether BC and there were two people there that had nearly the same OP one could eat almost anything the other not much, I think it's a how long is a piece of string thing with all of us.

Ron 51 has hit the nail on the the head.  We're all so very different in the ways we respond to the treatment and the severity so I think it is a matter of personal trial and error a lot of the time where eating is concerned.

My taste altered beyond all recognition.  Almost everything tasted absolutely revolting so even if I could mange the texture in my mouth and then swallowing it the taste was unbearable.  Luckily I found that Ready Brek and semolina had no taste whatsoever and I could tolerate swallowing both in small amounts so they were my staple foods.  Gradually I was able to move onto swallowing rice pudding and custard, again both tasting of nothing.  All in all, not being able to taste certain foods was a saviour for me!

Linda x 

I would add I can taste food though I think some have changed a little, there is a long list of things I still can't get to go down but luckly I can eat mild spice (others can't) that helps with the saliver glands I have left, I think the dryness is the problem as suggery things are a problen and dry things. I am 5 1/2 years from my radio and find I can sometimes eat things I never thought I would and like others say it is not a short jurney so just keep experimenting with food, just a forkfull at a time and see how it goes, you learn to do things differently, as I found with my talking, never realised how much effort went into the thing I had done for 50 odd years lol.

Hi Mark I was one if the lucky in early I never. Lost taste but swallowing became difficult so week 4 I had n g tube fitted. It’s very common for taste to go as treatment fries the sensitive taste buds. I do know if someone who could taste celery nothing else and he hated celery ! Ginger I found too strong I tried ginger tea, most people refer to loosing taste as eating cardboard ,it does come back albeit some things may always taste strange. I personally struggle with citrus ,spicy and haven’t had any alcohol in over 2 years not that I drunk much prior but take sips if hubbys and any wine is vinegar But as Ron said we are all different know plenty who can tolerate a drink. Sweet things are usually the first taste to return. If it’s any help it will get better just a  slow process .it helps to know you're not  on your own. 

you are  doing well keep on top of pain killers is my best advise make sure over Christmas period you have them to hand 

Hazel

Hi Mark. I too lost my taste and quite frankly even nearly two years later it has not fully recovered. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy food snd can physically eat anything even bread and chicken breast but it just doesn’t taste in HD. 
There was a stage when food tasted if nothing but never revolting and taste came and went. One week I was happy with one thing and the next week it tasted of little. 
it’s an evolving thing, it will change but you will be able to enjoy food again. For the moment it’s simply fuel. 

Strong tastes survive better. Aromatic things like bananas and blue cheese. Pineapple remained interesting as did herbs. You could try adding herbs to your food once you are back to being able to swallow better. 

Hope you get on top of things and don’t worry. The change isn’t permanent 

Oh and I found blowing air from my mouth back through my nose while I chewed got the aroma of the food where I could smell it and enhanced the taste. 

Hi Mark, i am a tad over 3 months post treatment (for me the end of week 4 was the point at which it got real)

Until recently i couldnt taste a thing, i even posted about it here

But - today, veggy curry from the chinese...first thing i have eaten that i could actually taste, and i actually ate a fair bit of it

Might be a bit harsh for really sore mouths however

Trev

Trev. That sounds a great leap in the right direction. Well done 

Well done MarkEL stick with it. Have you put on any extra weight ? All the Best Min 

Yes Min,  but I’m trying hard not to. About 3 kilos in two weeks,  so not mega. I’m very aware that I will start losing weight if my eating suffers in the next couple of weeks. It’s such a balancing act!