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Tastelessness or metallic taste for more than 40days.
My mom,69,indicated with back to back loose motions,with complete loss of epitite and control over excretion.The physician diagnosed with infection in intestines and prescribed with flygel and antibiotics for seven days,and with the break of three days,he advised to administer 10 injections of cobalamin(methycobal)each after one day gap along tablets containing Vitamins of all form B12etc.magnesium.She could not bear these esp tablets,as she claims that she have lost the taste or have sauvre one but loose stools get controlled,but no crave for food still.We got second examination when she got only two shots of injection and three tabs,doctor claimed that the metallic taste was due to flygel it was nothing to do with both inj&tab.He gave cobalamin this time in tablet form and a syrup containing same vitamins,one tab for vertigo which she emphasised after first visit.Now she is in relatively good health but only snuffs meal,to remind you she is toothless as well; her main concern persists that she feels strange taste,hardly takes some liquids or solid food just symbolically.What we should do now,as we don't have the sound health professionals as that of US does?She often hints GERD and tolerating patiently,as she is feeble,often exhausts too soon.Thank you
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No body responded me even after 3 days that means,it was just an eyewash that every query is answered, but futile exercise.Thank you
HI,
I'm sorry that no one has responded to you here so far.
Please remember that everyone here is a volunteer or a patient or a caregiver.
The problem you explain is really complicated. I'm sorry that I don't have any experience with this so I don't have any ideas for you. But I do want to send encouragement.
I used to have metallic taste in my mouth. But, went away on its own. I have Gerd. But, per Cleveland Clinic:
Does your mouth taste like old pennies? Dysgeusia, a change in your sense of taste, can be a side effect of a variety of medical issues. And “metal mouth,” a common manifestation of dysgeusia, is more common than you might think.
Donald Ford, MD, MBA, Chairman of the Department of Family Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, runs through the reasons why you might be experiencing a metallic taste in your mouth — and what to do about it.
Why does my mouth taste like metal?
A metallic taste can indicate a serious illness, such as kidney or liver problems, undiagnosed diabetes or certain cancers. But these reasons are uncommon and typically accompanied by other symptoms.
If you’re otherwise healthy, the cause for that metallic tang typically is benign. “If a metallic taste in your mouth is your only complaint, the cause might be one of several,” Dr. Ford says.
Poor oral hygiene
If you don’t brush and floss regularly, the result can be teeth and gum problems such as gingivitis, periodontitis and tooth infection. These infections can be cleared up with a prescription from your dentist.
“The metal taste typically goes away after the infection is gone,” Dr. Ford says.
Prescription drugs
“Some medications can cause a metallic taste because your body absorbs the medicine and it then comes out in the saliva,” Dr. Ford explains. These medicines include:
Antibiotics such as clarithromycin, metronidazole and tetracycline.
Allopurinol, a gout medicine.
Blood pressure medications, including captopril.
Lithium, which is used to treat certain psychiatric conditions.
Methazolamide, used to treat glaucoma.
Metformin, a diabetes medication.
Medicines that can cause a dry mouth, such as antidepressants, can also be a culprit of metallic taste because they close your taste buds, which can in turn impact your sense of taste.
Over-the-counter vitamins or medicines
Multivitamins with heavy metals (such as chromium, copper and zinc) or cold remedies (such as zinc lozenges) can cause a metallic taste. So can prenatal vitamins and iron or calcium supplements.
Usually, the taste will go away as your body processes the vitamins or medicine. “If not, check your dosage and make sure you’re not taking too much,” Dr. Ford advises.
Infections
Some temporary illnesses can change your sense of taste, which may leave you tasting metal:
Colds.
Sinusitis.
Upper respiratory infections.
The taste usually goes away when the infection does, so take it easy and get well soon.
Cancer treatment
Patients being treated with chemotherapy or radiation — especially for cancers of the head and neck — may experience a range of changes in taste and smell, including a metallic taste sometimes referred to as “chemo mouth.”
Studies show that zinc and vitamin D may help combat it, though research is ongoing.
Pregnancy
Blame it on hormones: Dysgeusia is especially common during pregnancy. For some expectant mothers, that means cravings for pickles and ice cream, while for others, it could mean an inexplicable metallic or sour taste.
There’s hope, though. “Typically, dysgeusia is at its worst in the first trimester,” Dr. Ford says, “so as your pregnancy progresses, the metallic taste should fade.”
Dementia
Everyone’s taste buds diminish with age, but for people with dementia, those changes may be expedited as a result of changes in the brain. Sometimes food starts tasting different than it used to, which doctors call “taste abnormalities.”
“The taste buds are connected by nerves to the brain, and taste abnormalities can occur when the portion of the brain related to taste is not working properly,” Dr. Ford explains.
Allergies
A metallic taste in your mouth can be a side effect of food allergies, especially to such as shellfish or tree nuts. It’s an early sign of anaphylaxis, which can be deadly. If you have (or suspect you have) such an allergy, speak with your doctor about what to do in case of an allergic reaction — before it strikes.
Chemical exposures
Inhaling high levels of certain substances can result in a metallic taste.
Insecticides: A metallic taste in your mouth could be a sign of certain types of pesticide poisoning.
Lead: Most often found in lead-based paint, paint dust and soil contaminated by peeling paint, this chemical element has a number of other sources, too, including water, pottery and some cosmetics.
Mercury: Typically associated with fish and other seafood, this toxic metal can also be found on construction sites and in old thermometers.
“These chemicals can cause significant health concerns, so if you’ve had exposure to them, you’ll want to see a doctor immediately,” Dr. Ford says. “The metallic taste in your mouth should go away once the underlying condition has been treated.”
Metallic taste and COVID-19
Doctors have long known that a loss of taste and smell are a possible side effect of COVID-19 — but some people have also reported a metallic taste.
“Typically, metal mouth resolves itself once the underlying cause has been treated, but a COVID-19-induced metallic taste in the mouth could stick around for weeks or even months after your recovery from the virus,” Dr. Ford says.
Tips to Prevent Metallic Taste
Dr. Ford recommends steps you can take on your own to minimize metal mouth.
Maintain good oral hygiene, including regular brushing, flossing and tongue-scraping, to keep your mouth healthy.
Stay hydrated to prevent dry mouth, which can cause a metallic taste.
Swap out metal cutlery and water bottles, which can make metallic tastes worse. Try glass, plastic or ceramic versions instead.
Rinse your mouth before you eat, using a solution of baking soda and warm water. It can regulate the pH balance of your mouth and help to neutralize acid — including that gross metallic taste.
Quit smoking, as cigarettes may exacerbate the taste of metal (among other negative impacts on your health).
Suck on ice, whether it’s cubes, chips and unsweetened ice pops.
Pop a mint or a piece of gum — just be sure to go sugar-free!
Eat foods that can mask the taste of metal.
Citrus fruits, especially lemon and lime juices.
Sour foods, like pickles and other vinegar-based items.
Sweeteners, such as maple syrup (which should be used in small amounts).
Whatever you do, though, don’t neglect the root of the issue.
“If you have a persistent funny taste in your mouth, don’t just try to mask the symptoms,” Dr. Ford urges. “Talk with your doctor, who can determine if you have a serious illness or condition and help you take steps to address the underlying conditions.
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4 Reactions@jord great piece of investigation you did for the letter writer. You covered it all and I hope your effort is appreciated.
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4 Reactionsanyone have a metallic taste in your mouth? how did you treat it?
Mine started after a Stellate ganglion block. also I took some buprenorphine.
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1 ReactionNot sure this is of help but only time I recall was last June when prescribed Trimethoprim for UTI. Started a few days after I started a 7 day course and lasted about ten days after last pill.. seems like a mild issue compared to other things but it was odd and seemed like everything I ate tasted the same; the taste was sort of like a copper penny and seemed to go up my nose and was 24/7. (I also feel I got a vision issue after first few pills... still have, but no proof it was meds). When it happened I checked internet and it said could last a short or long time, was thankful when got normal "taste" back. Hope you do too.
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1 ReactionI had the taste intermittently during the day and worse during day. I heard something about zinc deficiency but I do take supplements.
Hope it does not go on forever
Burt
Hello @prinx, I moved you discussion and combined it with an existing discussion titled:
- Tastelessness or metallic taste for more than 40 days
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tastelessness-or-metallic-taste-for-more-than-40days/
I did this so you could meet members @jord, @mutazaali and @lacy2 who have discussed their experiences with the same.
@prinx, if you don't mind sharing, how long as this been going on?
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1 ReactionI have had the Metallic taste for 3 weeks. It occurred after a stellate ganglion block and 1 dose of buprenorphine.
Are there any updates on metallic taste? Mine started out as metallic after using prescription Ketoconzole shampoo and Macrobid for UTI on same day, but later became just bitter taste. Was also found to have smell disorder and smell/taste disorder as a result of post covid syndrome.