How long before my taste buds recover after H&N treatments?

I agree with Stephen and others here, it takes months to literally a couple of years before normalcy returns. And even at that, there may be issues which last for many years such as nerve pain or muscle cramps. It took me thirteen years to stop tearing up from the pain of a sneeze, the last of my painful issues to subside.
Radiation to me seems similar in recovery to a severe burn rather than a broken bone or recovery from a difficult illness. Radiation is just nasty what it does internally. In addition, in many cases radiation to the neck can injure the thyroid, which in turn can make the patient feel like crap. Have his TSH value checked at next doctor visit to be sure, an easy blood test.
The worry about an upcoming PET scan? Just something else to get used to. Not sure the worry ever goes away. My experience with others about repeating treatment? It's very unlikely. Courage.

Thanks for the information.

I am at 18 months after treatment ended for tonsil cancer. My RBC and hemo is finally close to the lower level of normal. They slowly climbed over 18 months.

My docs say that, since my creatinine is high, the hormone in the kidneys that stimulates RBC growth is inhibited, My RBC levels will probably stay about the same.

I am 67. I am 18 months after the end of treatment. My energy level is far below what it was before diagnosis. It is much better than it was right after treatment ended, but it is still sometimes discouraging.

It has taken me a while to be able to regulate my energy usage. I do some activity, then I rest. Then maybe some more activity, then I rest. If I know I have a big day coming, I make sure that I don’t do much the day before or after.

I have had struggles accepting the new me. In the past few months I have been seeing a counselor and it has really helped. I have been able to do the counseling remotely if needed. That may be possible for you guys.

Good wishes to you.

I had a PTSD episode at my 5 month scan. I have worked on that, and each scan gets a little easier. However, I don’t think it ever goes away. I think you just have to realize it is coming and recognize your emotions and reactions. And give yourself permission to be you, whatever that is.

Radiation damage is difficult. After 18 months, I still have trouble with dry foods (such as bread). But it is getting better. Over time he will learn ways to compensate for dryness.

I ate a lot of soups the first year. I soak banana bread in milk. I don’t eat many chips. But I experimented with breakfasts, and a banana with a large bowl of Life cereal has the right combo of texture and moisture to make a good breakfast.

I cooked a lot before diagnosis. It’s one of the struggles now. But a year ago I would try some food and be unable to eat it, and then be discouraged and disappointed. Now when that happens I use the info to adjust my cooking and eating.

Eating will improve, and he will adjust and learn what works for him

During treatment and for over a year after that I slept in my recliner because I had trouble breathing when sleeping. Today I am back in my bed.

I use a nasal rinse bottle 1-2 times a day to reduce congestion. But it’s always there.

Good luck.

My experiences have been similar to dennymayo. I am 18 months post-treatment and foods that are spicy hot, acidy, or carbonated are painful. There isn’t much taste.

What I have found is that food texture is my new strategy. I might have a thin flour tortilla with some shredded chicken dark meat, some mushy veggies, a little pasta sauce, and a few peanuts to enjoy a meal with a variety of textures.

Thanks for all that, sure been a long road.

I had tonsilar cancer which affected the lymph nodes in the right side of my neck, both of which they removed. I only had radiation. I had a feeding tube through my nose for only about 2 weeks, but it took quite a few months to eat semi-normally. At first I had to puree my food. I ate a lot of mashed potatoes! Forget chicken. It is so stringy and dry regardless of how cooked. But an immersion blender works well. Slowly the numbness and a lot of the dryness went away. For me, I started getting my taste back after about 3-4 months. It took me awhile to be able eat hard things. The same with spicy foods, or different beverages, carbonated, a glass of wine, etc. This all took time, but eventually I was able to enjoy them again . But everyone is different. I'm 3 years post-op now and everything looks good. I was advised to make all my food somewhat wet to counter dryness or difficulty swallowing. I love gravy, so that was good news for me. Things like bread and pretzels can be difficult even now, so I have to go slow and even now they sometimes things get stuck, and I have to cough to loosen them. If you have had a feeding troop for quite a while , tou will most likely have to get your throat swallowing muscles working again. They will help you with that. Drink lots of fluids when you eat. They will also have exercises that you can do for your mouth or your swallowing. I have something called a tongueometer, or something that helps you stretch your mouth. Your swallowing PT can help you with all those things. I remember when I used to eat pizza that I always finished before my friend. A couple of months after radiation, she had finished her whole pizza, and I had just finished one small slice! But I'm back to keeping up with her now. I eat slower than I used to, but that's probably a good thing, and I probably chew things much better than I used to also.

As far as the man who shared about his son: The biggest and longest lasting problem for me, was my lack of energy! I've heard that it helps people to exercise even a little bit. That was the longest thing that it took me. I too am single. And looking back, it would have been wonderful and so helpful for me if someone had asked if they could come over and clean my house. Without that, things do pile up, and after a while they get to be a bit unmanageable!

Also, personal interaction is very important! During my surgery, recovery, and radiation, people remarked about what a great attitude I had. Instead of looking at the circumstances that I had no control over, I continually focused on my heavenly Father and His love and faithfulness to me! But the month after I finished radiation, was my hardest. I got depressed, and started worrying about how "I" was going to take care of myself! In about a month later, I went for an appointment, and on my way out at the appointment dusk, I realized I was like a " chatty Kathy"! It was only then that I realized that during my radiation I had seen And interacted with people on a daily basis. But after that, I didn't interact with anyone! No wonder I got depressed! So interaction, in my opinion, is extremely important to our healing!

I mentioned that to my radiologist, and they had a social worker who told me about a cancer support group that met near where I live. They meet both in person and virtually. You get to know people. You get to share your encouragements, but also your lows! It helps not to focus just on yourself. But it also helps to realize you're not alone! They also have these groups for the families and caretakers of cancer survivors. BUT, I had to find out about all of this stuff little by little, like by asking for help or answers. For whatever reason, I don't think that the hospitals or doctors lay out all the many resources that are available to us. So I think it's important for us to share with them what we are experiencing or going through, so that they can then suggest a resource.

I'm sorry this was so long, but I hope this helps someone.