Tastebuds have gone to sleep: How to get taste back?

They call it chemo tongue. I know exactly what you mean. So I’ve been off chemo now for 7 weeks. I’m starting to taste foods better now definitely takes time. Clean your tongue at least twice a day or more. It helps.

@deserthykr, I see @goldenshadow offered some thoughts for you. I believe you are currently on immunotherapy. Has it been since immunotherapy that your sense of taste has changed? Any improvement since you posted this message?

No I’m not on immunotherapy. I do have my taste back. Thanks for asking though I appreciate it.

For most of us, depending on the chemo regimen we do, and especially if we've had radiation that may have affected our salivary glands... it takes a month or more for our taste buds to return. But I've seen some where it took them many many months... especially after treatments and then esophagectomy.

Is your saliva output normal? And what can you sort of taste now... sweets? Salty? And how long since your last treatment... and what exact treatment regimen were you doing? Surgery coming?

Gary

My Esophagectomy was 2 1/2 years ago and my taste buds are still not normal. I can taste different flavors but it’s more bland than I remember.

I’ve been done with treatments for 2 months. I did not have any radiation treatments. I can only speak of chemotherapy treatments. My taste is coming back. I can taste fruits and vegetables the best for what ever reason. Meat is ok but not the same as I remember. I’m guessing it’s just different for everyone. I’m not sure what can be done. Hope it gets better for you 👍.