How long before my taste buds recover after H&N treatments?

@robholdenried,
My 7 weeks of radiation was aimed at an area just below my ear due to ear location of primary cancer. I still had ulceration and pain in my mouth, on my tongue especially. No feeding tube. It took several weeks beyond the end of radiation to notice a slight improvement in taste. The return was very slow and gradual. Even 11 years later, I am still overly sensitive to saltiness and I don't expect that to change. As others have said, your taste may never be exactly what it was. But I would say that it is very livable as it is today. Just be patient and enjoy it when a food starts to taste like it "should". Since your tongue was the radiation target, I might expect a slower response due to more radiation damage. Good luck to you and may your healing be quick and you remain cancer free.

For me it was a very slow process. It gradually improved after about 2 months after treatment. I am now one year out from treatment and it is much better but still not great.

I would ask you the same question after almost a year. How long it took from you to taste again. I finished mine a week ago after 33 sessions. But I had/have no tube as I've fought to keep my weight not to reduced more than 4kg. My second question, do you thing if i continue to force myself in eating would speed up the taste regaining?

I was diagnosed squamous cell cancer at the base of my tongue. It had spread into the lymph node on the right side of my neck. I completed 7 weeks of radiation (35 sessions) on May 5th. I also had weekly chemo. The 3 weeks after the completion were absolutely the hardest days of the whole ordeal. I did not have a feeding tube. I lived mostly off of Boost extra high calorie mixed with carnation high protein instant breakfast.
It has now been 4 months and i have greatly improved. I am eating solid food in small biters and washing it down with water. As far as taste goes, I taste but it is certainly different than before treatment. Saltiness is an issue.
I can say every month is better with highs and lows. I was told another 4 months and i will be much improved.

What are the strategies to speed up the taste regaining? I finished mine a week ago after 33 sessions. But I had/have no tube as I've fought to keep my weight not to reduced more than 4kg. My second question, do you thing if i continue to force myself in eating would speed up the taste regaining?

One note, usually others mentioned that they have very dry mouth. I have some dryness but not fully. But the problem, I don't want to drink even water. There is a stupid taste in my mouth.

Hi @naznaz, "forcing" yourself to do something doesn't sound like a healthy approach to me. I wonder if bringing joy into preparing food and tasting food might be an approach worth trying as suggested in this article "make it a production"
- Lost your sense of taste or smell? 8 tips for eating well https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/lost-your-sense-of-taste-or-smell-due-to-covid-19-or-cancer-treatment--8-tips-for-eating-well.h00-159458478.html

I'm not sure regaining taste is something that can be sped up. You might wish to ask an oncology nutritionist.

Here's an article I found with a few tips.
- What Causes a Loss of Taste, and How to Regain It https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-get-your-taste-buds-back

Excerpt from the article:
- Eat cold foods, which may be easier to taste than hot foods.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Brush your teeth before and after eating.
- Ask your doctor to recommend products that may help with dry mouth.
- Mints, gum, and using plastic utensils instead of metal can help with a temporary metallic taste.

Do you find that you can taste some foods over others?

Thanks, @colleenyoung, for replying. I will go over the articles and check more.

In regard to your question about tasting some food over others? Unfortunately, no. But my tongue burns me when I eat any spicy, salty, or sour food.

I completed radiation / chemo the end of June and am just now starting to taste some foods. The tip of my tongue is very sensitive yet to salty foods & hard foods (chips, toast etc). My gums are still sensitive to toothpaste also (I can't rinse it out of my mouth fast enough).
I have inquired about these things also with the professionals and get the same response:
"everyone is different."
Hang in there and do what you have to do.
Lori

I agree with Lori, hang in there. My tastes came back one at a time starting after two weeks post. The bad taste in my mouth remained for several months partly I believe being caused by healing and the radiation itself.
The sores may come and go for months if not years just so you are not alarmed. But like all of us post treatment, you will find a new normal and this will all be in the past.

I didn't find the articles helpful. , but you can't blame them, they've probably never had to deal with the pain of mouth/tongue sores. Cinnamon to me is absolute torture. And I love it. Right now the only thing I can taste (still have 9 treatments left)is dunkin donuts frozen chocolate. I don't even like chocolate but the cool feeling along with being able to taste something is delightful. Teresa