Does anyone have change in taste while on hydroxyurea?

I was like that for a long time but sadly 😀 my taste buds have come back and all food tastes delicious again. Too delicious!

Yes! I can’t eat very much at a time and can’t get excited about any kind of food I used to savor. A glass of wine gets thrown out after a couple sips and beer has no appeal, even with pizza. I can’t get a burger down and making meals is a chore because I don’t look forward to eating them.
My weight stays the same so when I mentioned this to my O/H he did not seem concerned.
I guess it’s not the worst side effect and I’m glad to learn I’m not alone in this. 😊

Do those of you who have experienced a change in their tastebuds all take medications for CLL?

@bizzylizzy Most foods leave an unpleasant film in my mouth after just one bite. It stays for hours and makes taking a second bite a non-starter. Also, should there be a food I can eat, it must be completely free of spices: salt, pepper, onion, garlic, peppers, all spices nothing. Through trial and error I have found what works for me. And she'd some much needed weight.

Lost taste, everything had a horrible flavor. Mostly tasted like salt even when I wasn’t eating. I didn’t want to eat. Sometimes I just had an Ensure for some calories and nutrients. I relied on texture instead of flavor, crispy, crunchy to help. I put sugar directly on my tongue I was so desperate for sweet, didn’t work ha ha. Anyway, all recovered and wow so thankful. Time will pass for you, hang in there and food will become enjoyable again.

I took camzyos for HCM, and lost taste. I was later diagnosed with AL Amyloidosis systemic. I was sure it was the camzyos, but I still have taste issues(it’s been 2 years) Chocolate- I used to love, now it definitely has a foul taste as with most sweets. I did manage to eat a little slice of cheese cake. I can eat a little bit more of a variety of food now.

Hydroxyurea was the medication that @vickieannb57 was referring to that changed her sense of taste. Others have mentioned different medications causing similar effects. Many medications can alter your sense of taste. This is referred to as dysgeusia. This can make food taste metallic, bitter, salty, or bland, and cause a general dislike for foods you once enjoyed, affecting how much you eat.

@mpg51, are you taking medications for CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia) that are affecting your tastebuds? Do you find it hard to eat?

I’m not on any medications yet but found that I just didn’t enjoy the taste of my (renowned!) peanut brittle any more. I typically can’t get enough of it!

My mouth definitely is different since taking hydroxyurea. I chew gum constantly. Some foods just don’t have the same taste. Also, I get gum and tooth pain from this medication.

Hello. Certain foods don’t seem to taste the same, as good. Eggs for instance.
But, what drove me nuts when I first started taking it was that I smelled a chemical smell when I would perspire (night sweats) and in my urine.
I asked my PA if she noticed it when visited Mayo and she said she did not and no one else I asked did. It lasted for at least a year.