Curious about taste changes after radiotherapy

Hi Jackie, this is the new normal for a while, taste can be all over the place during recovery, it will settle down with time and be more consistent. I'm coming up to 9 years post treatment, and even now occasionally things taste different to what they should. 

Ray.

jacksmac194e30 said:

wondering if this yo yo-ing will pass in time?

It did for me so keep the faith 

I’m only 6 weeks post and I’m hoping taste improves soon. Tomato ketchup is disgusting at present 

Yes, it’s frustrating but it gets better. Food tasted vile for a while for me, even water was awful. ketchup still isn’t quite right

That’s good to hear. I know I am still quite early days but I miss my favourites. I did wonder if the memory of how things used to taste fades so you stop noticing things aren’t quite the same 

Yes it should get better for most of us... trial and error is the way forward... keep challenging yourself with different foods and drink...3 years since CRT finished and I can eat and enjoy most food and drink.

Hi Jack. It is now 7 years since my last radiotherapy. I also had radiotherapy 6 years prior to that so had an extra whammy so my taste buds are not up to scratch but eating is still O.K. taste wise. Some things don't taste right and others are not too bad. Over time I have developed new favourite tastes that work well. Water still tastes funny, rather bitter. I definitely have memory of how things used to taste and enjoy the aromas of food. The aromas remind me of how things should really taste and I enjoy that. I have turned into a vicarious eater. LOL i.e. I enjoy smelling the aromas of food others are eating and remember how nice it was. Not in a sad way though. Life goes on and I definitely have some favourites now that I would never have thought of eating before. 

Lyn

Hi and welcome ,I am seven months post RT ,i consider myself lucky because i can eat and drink quite well now i still need to drink water with meals as my saliva production is not great but as far as taste is concerned its back to normal i can even eat curries again as long as they are not too spicy .The only thing that is different is i can taste salt and sugar more than i could which is a good thing because i used to eat loads of salt but i probably have a third of what i used to have .I like a glass of red wine but have to dilute with water as this burns my throat if not diluted .Anything fizzy stings my throat and tongue but genrally its all good .

Thank you. I love your positive outlook and I am aiming for that too 

Interesting about the wine. I try wine every few weeks but it still tastes rubbish lol

The salt and sugar is v similar to myself. I went through a phase where I could taste even the slightest amount of salt and it was really overpowering - soups were a nightmare and I had to survive on those for ages