I have no taste of food any more.

Posted by Donna @stimey60, Oct 8 2:39pm

I was diagnosed with stage 3A lung cancer a little over a yeear ago.
Everything is going well. I had two bouts of chemo and then surgery and so far nothing has come back.
The problem I'm having is taste, I had metal mouth for like 7 months it's kind of went away but nothing tastes good nothing tastes like it use to. I eat only cause I know I need to but again nothing has much of a taste. Has this happen to anyone?
I don't understand I had no radiation just the chemo.
It's been a year!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Cancer Support Group.

I had that metal taste for a very long time. 11 rounds of chemo and then a pill called Lynparza. I had breast cancer. My metal taste did not disappear for 1.8 months, when my Lynparza was done. Eating or tasting food took 6 months or so after chemo. Does any food item have a taste? Have you tried strong flavors?

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@katgob

I had that metal taste for a very long time. 11 rounds of chemo and then a pill called Lynparza. I had breast cancer. My metal taste did not disappear for 1.8 months, when my Lynparza was done. Eating or tasting food took 6 months or so after chemo. Does any food item have a taste? Have you tried strong flavors?

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I have tried everything. I travel alot so I eat all kinds of foods nothing has any pleasure in it. I cannt savor anything any more.
I had lost 50 pounds on my own before cancer now add another 30 pounds to that. Which is fine with me. But I don't want to lose anymore. And yes I still get hungry but after acouple of bites then nothing. I can even gag.

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Donna,
Have you talked with your medical team. Eating to live and stay healthy you said you were doing, but loosing too much weight is not good. Have you googled this site on Mayo for this topic? I think others will start replying today.
Our bodies react so differently. How about drinks? I found that crystal geyser water was the only water or drink i tolerated during chemo and after. I started drinking a few other flavored no calorie drinks about a year ago but my NP said the biotin in it could counteract the letrozole i was taking. So, I sometimes have a bubbles or another sparkling, but usually drink water.

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I drink water all the time it was the only thing that helped me swallow the food, sorry but I hate sparkling water. I have brought the fact that I can't eat many times and I never get any information. I have a new doc. this next time maybe I can get some answers. I found that followup care at Mayo is very limited or non at all. I did find a mouth wash that helps alittle but it does not last very long.
I just love to enjoy a meal!
I'll goggle the site see what I can find

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Donna,
Thank you for replying.
https://www.verywellhealth.com/taste-changes-after-chemotherapy
I figured to look on Mayo after I post what you can find on google. Then ask your new doctor.
I have had dry mouth and mouthwash helps. I hope you get something that helps. I had a bone marrow transplant in April, and to not kill my kidneys per my doctor, I drink 120 zs or more of just water every day.

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Posts come up if you search- taste bud changes after chemotherapy.

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@stimey60, I'm sorry to hear about the challenges you're still facing after your treatment. Chemo effects can last a long time. For example, I was warned about "chemo brain" when I was in chemo. According to my oncologist, it's more common to experience that months or years afterward, and I did to a limited extent.

As I tell audiences in my talks, chemo doesn't know anything about cancer. One of the defining characteristics of cancer cells is that they rapidly grow and multiply. Chemo kills all rapidly-growing cells, including, unfortunately, hair follicle cells, bone marrow cells, and some cells in your mouth. That's why it's not uncommon to experience an altered sense of taste and smell during and after chemo. I'm a certified master BBQ judge and banned myself from competitions for a year, but my senses of smell and taste have returned. In fact, they have heightened since my cancer metastasized to my brain, and I've had brain surgery, but I don't recommend it.

The length of chemo side effects depends on the type of chemo, the dosage, your overall health, and individual sensitivity. So, your symptoms seem rare, but they are not unheard of.

Based on my experience, I can think of more options for you.
-- If your oncologist doesn't want to discuss it, ask Mayo for a second opinion. My in-laws live near Rochester and have had excellent support there, including my father-in-law, who was treated for squamous cell lung cancer.
-- In addition, your primary care physician may have some ideas. Mine's been very helpful.
-- You might also want to contact a dietician who specializes in oncology. I know Mayo has some, and given your location, there are probably others in your area.
-- I'd be remiss if I didn't mention oral hygiene since my dentist is a real stickler about the potential downsides of not brushing and flossing daily. And there are an increasing number of studies that back her up.

Lastly, I always warn people against consulting Drs. Google, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. If you're looking for medical knowledge, stick to authoritative sites like lungevity.com, go2.org, iaslc.org (if you're really into medical research), and reputable cancer centers such as Mayo, MD Anderson, Cleveland Clinic, City of Hope, and the like.

Please remember you're not alone. You're taking the right first step and looking for help. Like I told my father-in-law when he was first diagnosed, "Welcome to the club no one wants to belong to!" We cancer survivors live on hope, so hang in there and stay positive. (By the way, GO2 has a monthly Zoom meeting for cancer survivors called "Raising Hope." They typically ask new members to introduce themselves, and you can ask your question to a couple of dozen survivors and get an immediate answer.) I wish you all the best!

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Thanks for that
Chemo brain oh yeah still have it at times.
I've done everything that you have talked about.
Talked with my dentist my primary care doc seen a nutritionist. No recommendations of any medications. I did find a mouth wash but it only last for a few minutes, but it did help with the metal mouth. I found that on my own.
Again my oncologist did not seem to be interested in it.
But I have a new one coming up next week I'll talk to her. If not I'm sure my chemo brain will kicking and I'll start yelling!
I go to Rochester Mayo and again I have found their followup care is very poor.
But hopefully with this new oncologist that will change.
I'm really getting sick of this there has to be something .
I'll let you guys know what happens next week.
Thanks again

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Donna and Mathew. The road we travel to get here. I forgot about chemo brain.
I did want to add when i go to google I open the responses from Mayo, MD Anderson, My place at COH too. If there has been research on a side effect, it has been published at one of these sources. Diagnosis comes with actual doctors. Dr. Google is not our friend for diagnosis, ever.
I hope you get some help Donna.

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Oh I very seldom goggle anything. You don't know who or where that information is coming from.
And yes I will get some answers this time
Come hell or high water
Thank again

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