Strange taste - change in taste

Have you tried anything like Biotene for dry mouth? The lozenges and gel and stick-on disks have a mild mintiness that might help to cover some of the bitterness when not eating, as well as stimulating saliva production. I have to use these nightly for dry mouth. I had a pain in my ear that became unrelenting for 5 months and saw my PCP, 3 different ENTs, and finally a request for referral to U of Michigan ENT where I got a diagnosis of SCC in external ear canal deep by the eardrum. A very rare location, and when UM could not fit me into their surgery schedule for over 7 weeks, I inquired at Mayo Rochester and had surgery less than 2 weeks later. There is nothing comparable to the quality of Mayo Clinic in my experience.

I have used Biotene mouth moisturizer and it does interrupt the bad taste for about a minute. I used unflavored. I stopped using it so much after I got a suspected case of silent acid reflux. Long story, but it seems to have cleared when I let go of minty stuff I was using to address bitter taste. Switched to bubble gum flavored gum, that helps temporarily.

I also used Biotene nasal moisturizer, but may stop, since I’ve gotten 2 pimples in my nostril recently after using it.

I seem to have plenty of saliva and even too much when at dentist. So…idk. I do have dry eye.

I appreciate the input on Mayo. I’m going to reach out for consult. The ENT doctor and neurologist that I have seen just seemed perplexed and said that it’s (taste disorder) is difficult to treat. This leaves me very sad and hopeless. Plus, nobody else seems to have this problem. So, it’s lonely.

I'm so very sorry that you are dealing with this for so long. Keep in mind that nerve tissue is very slow to heal and there is still hope that improvement can happen. Perhaps research into Lion's Mane mushrooms. I felt that I regained more facial nerve control when I started on them and it was already years after the initial surgery. They can delay blood clotting so if you are on a blood thinner I would avoid using it, or have any dental or surgical procedure you have to be aware to stop using it. Good luck and stay positive.

Thanks for your words of encouragement. I just read somewhere around here that there is no hope for recovery. I won’t accept that yet. It might turn out that way, but I’ll try everything in my power to help it.

Wouldn’t you know, you can’t find sugarless bubble gum in stores anymore! Guess, I’ll order online.

Look into Hyperbaric treatment it has amazing results and should be your answer to get your taste back and repair all that radiation damage I know I did it after my traechea radiation which caused me so many problems and today I have all my taste back and it saved my larynx .Good luck