Did food & liquids taste like metal for you after Whipple surgery?

Posted by lesliepansky @lesliepansky, Nov 19 7:00pm

Has anyone had an issue with food & liquids tasting like metal post Whipple surgery?
Since my surgery I have had this metal taste with everything I eat & drink ! I’m not on any meds that might cause this ?
Interested if anyone has this experience?

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 29 1:49pm

@lesliepansky, good question. I pulled your post into a new discussion. Some members have talked about a metallic taste with certain chemo regimens, but you said you're not on medication or chemo. Do I have that right?

Here are some related discussions with tips from members:
- How do you eat during chemo when everything tastes bad? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-do-you-eat-during-chemo-when-everything-tastes-bad/
- If you had Whipple surgery, what are you eating or not eating?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/if-you-had-the-whipple-what-are-you-eating-or-not-eating-are-you-taki/
Leslie, when was your surgery? How is recovery going?

lesliepansky | @lesliepansky | Nov 29 9:31pm

My whipple was Dec 11,2023 for a 8cm duodenal tumor that was benign ( very surprised ) and a 3cm pre-cancerous tumor in the head of my pancreas. No chemo, off Creon since April 2024, & metal taste is still there (times it’s so bad all I can eat is Lactose free vanilla ice cream).
I’ve tried rinses, brushing teeth, water, gum, mints..nothing gets rid of the taste. I see my surgeon (Dr Christo Galanopoulos) next Tues 12/12/24 for my 1 year follow up & I’ll ask him again what to do ? It’s horrible .. even water tastes metallic! Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Doing well otherwise except for metal taste & bilat posterior rib/ side back pain that comes & goes with certain movements ( standing too long, weight bearing, lifting , sitting) . I still feel so blessed it was not cancerous and the care I receive from surgeon, my PCP & GI Drs has been so terrific!
Any help or suggestions would be great! Thank you

marienewland | @mnewland99 | Nov 29 10:30pm

In reply to @lesliepansky "My whipple was Dec 11,2023 for a 8cm duodenal tumor that was benign ( very surprised..." + (show)

Is there any chance you had Covid and took paxlovid in the past? I did at the end of 2022 and also at the beginning of 2024. Paxlovid does leave you with a metallic taste in your mouth. Maybe for some this sensation lasts?