Chronic salty taste

I have a long term persistent bitter taste since I got covid last year. But your salty thread caught my attention.

It started out metallic. I had also just taken an antibiotic. I have consulted with my primary, a neurologist, dentist, gastroenterologist, endocrinologist, therapist, and ENT. It’s still a mystery and I have no idea if this will ever leave.
Earlier this week, it seemed a little less intense.

I have read various theories about the cause, but I’m not sure what to believe. There aren’t many options for treatment, based on what I have discovered. Oh, I have been diagnosed with smell/taste disorder by the ENT. My smell js substantially impaired according to a smell test.

It is extremely distressing. . I do understand what you mean. Mine is constant, unless I am eating, drinking, chewing gum or asleep.

Does your food taste salty? How long have you been dealing with this? Do you have a smell disorder? I didn’t think I did, until I took the sniff tests. I scored very low. My ENT says there is a huge correlation between smell and taste. Please post if you discover any information about this.

Hi yes everything just tastes salty … even water tastes like sea water. I have had the problem for around 5 yrs now and it seems to be getting worse. My smell has definitely been affected but I haven’t had any testing atm. I will certainly post any positive developments and please do the same.

Do you have a salty taste in your mouth, even when not eating or drinking?

Yes all the time … only respite is when I’m asleep.

Oh man. I understand. I have mine constantly too, except I still taste my food and beverages ok. I think. I’m not sure my taste is very good, but I taste pretty well. I don’t enjoy food as much as I used to. I have lost 80 pounds, but on purpose. I suspect it hasn’t been very difficult due to my smell/taste disorder. No injectables.

When I saw my neurologist for another problem, (tingling in hands and feet and burning spot on one foot), he looked at the taste issue and said….that’s really tough to treat. He ordered tests (EMG, brain MRI and blood tests) and said I did not have neuropathy and my tests were normal. He said I was healthy, but had no explanation for my taste problem. So, I’m returning to my ENT and requesting referral to an allergist and another neurologist. I want to explore vagus nerve theory. May also get hypnotized to help me deal, but expensive and no guarantee.

I’ve had my metallic/bitter taste for 8 months. I am trying to prepare myself in case it’s permanent. It’s so stressful. I already had anxiety and this has taken it to a whole other level. I now see a therapist, which helps a lot!

Still, it seems the posts from people who report a loss of all smell and taste are more devastated than me. My heart goes out to them. This is a huge issue in people’s lives! I NEVER considered that this would happen to me one day. Never on my radar.

A bit of hope. I hesitate to post this, but….I hold out a little hope due to something my mother told me. She has told me several times that many years ago she had a bitter taste in her mouth. She never saw a doctor about it. She said it lasted about 2 years then suddenly went away! I’m not sure what to make of it…….it just gives me hope that it’s something I inherited and it will resolve.

Good luck with your situation. P Please post your progress here, as there aren’t many who share this type of condition.

Do you recall if you had taken any antibiotics or anti fungal meds right before this started?

I don’t think so but I don’t really remember!

On odd occasions I might taste my food but mostly everything just tastes salty ... as I said before even water!
I don't eat much because it just isn't enjoyable.
I have an upcoming referral to a neurologist and have had a brain MRI and recently a neck MRI (awaiting results) as well as several blood tests.
I challenged my pain specialist re the vagus nerve/s but he was dismissive.
I hadn't considered hypnosis or therapy but really don't see them helping me (but please post any positive info re your journey with these) .
I too have chronic anxiety - I suffered a serious neck injury many years ago and our only son took his own life 10 yrs ago. I have been on and off anti-depressants for years now.
My concern is that my issue may be embedded in the auto-immune area and if so then there is unlikely any positive prognosis - but we will continue to investigate all avenues!
A couple of questions for you -
Have you had Covid? ... (I haven't)
A little personal but do you have breast implants? ... (I do)

My anxiety increased substantially last Feb. 2023, when I experienced substantial pain and stress from a series of dental issues. I have excellent dental health, but encountered issues due to an upper tooth that was improperly filled. I then had an extracted wisdom tooth, fractured root nerve, root canal and bone graft to prepare for a dental implant. (Haven’t gotten the implant) In the bone graft, they insert cadaver material into your jaw. I healed well from those procedures, but felt like I had PTSD from the sustained pain and stress for several months. Plus, the out of pocket costs were substantial. I’ve talked to my dentist about it and they have no ideas. So, it being a cause has entered my mind.

I have had Type 1 diabetes for over 20 years, but I’ve never read about another type 1 encountering this. My numbers are pretty good. I have no eye or kidney damage from it.

I do have other autoimmune issues, hypothyroidism (treated with med) and psoriasis. Both are mild.

I’ve told my doctors this, but they don’t comment. Right before my severe taste started there were a series of mini events. I had been prescribed an antifungal cream and body wash/shampoo for a topical yeast infection. It’s called tinea versicolor.
https://www.healthline.com/health/tinea-versicolor
The cream cleared it on my neck, but I wanted to use body wash/shampoo to ensure I didn’t get it on my body or scalp. The first time I used the prescribed anti fungal body wash/shampoo on my scalp, I got a metallic taste in my mouth. Same thing happened when i used it as body wash in shower. I thought it was odd. Then one day I used body wash on my lower legs, same thing. THAT same day, I took one antibiotic pill. It was for a suspected UTI, that turned out to not be one, but an hour after taking the antibiotic the overwhelming metallic taste hit! I was driving, pulled over and called the urgent care office that prescribed it to report it. They said it happens with antibiotics sometimes. I stopped taking it the next day, The taste has never left. That was September 2023.

I also had just had covid. My ENT says I also have smell disorder. I did series of smell tests. And that both are due to covid. Doctors don’t think the meds are related despite my account of how it started. So…..I’m desperate for anything that helps.

I was prescribed Gabapentin and Lexapro, but can’t take Gabapentin due to blurry vision. Trying to avoid Lexapro due to potential side effects. I see a therapist every 2 weeks and that really helps my stress! I would take Lexapro, if I thought it would stop the bitter taste.

I don’t have implants, but do have upper porcelain veneers that I got 14 years ago and the dental bone graft from last April.

Are there top experts on this kind of thing? I read that my ENT is supposed to be, but….idk. He didn’t seem to have much to say about it.

Did your salty taste start gradually or sudden?