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How long before my taste buds recover after H&N treatments?
Head & Neck Cancer | Last Active: Oct 2 2:46pm | Replies (75)Comment receiving replies
Any ideas on how to accelerate the return of your taste buds after completing radiation treatments? Just finished my 7 weeks for squamous cell with the primary in the base of my tongue that had spread to my lymph nodes. Had the surgical removal before I started chemo and radiation.
Eager to get off my feeding tube and return to normal eating.
Replies to "Any ideas on how to accelerate the return of your taste buds after completing radiation treatments?..."
Hi @robholdenried, I moved your question to this similar discussion that @calenbd, started
- How long before my taste buds recover after H&N treatments? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/taste-bud-recovery/
I did this so you can get tips from previous posts and connect with helpful members.
You might also be interested in these related discussions:
– When will food taste good again after chemo and radiation? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/trying-to-get-food-into-husband-after-chemo-and-radiation/
– Eating during cancer care https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/eating-during-cancer-care/
Do you know when the feeding tube will be removed?
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Hi @robholdenried. My experience and from what others have commented is it can take from a few weeks to a few months to get your taste back. Even then it may not be what it once was. In some cases it is sparse and other cases your taste can become enhanced. I would give it at least two weeks before any taste at all returns, salty is usually the first one. Can you swallow at all with the feeding tube such as sweet soda (7-up)? If so it is good to exercise the swallowing and you can try out your taste buds on broth or milkshakes.