How long before my taste buds recover after H&N treatments?
I have completed 35 treatments of radiation and chemotherapy two weeks ago for squamous cell cancer in my tongue and lymph node. I’m just wondering how long before I can expect my taste buds to recover so I can taste good again? I’m currently on a feeding tube, but my throat pain and mucus is diminishing, so I am looking forward to eating solid foods again.
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Thanks for all that, sure been a long road.
My experiences have been similar to dennymayo. I am 18 months post-treatment and foods that are spicy hot, acidy, or carbonated are painful. There isn’t much taste.
What I have found is that food texture is my new strategy. I might have a thin flour tortilla with some shredded chicken dark meat, some mushy veggies, a little pasta sauce, and a few peanuts to enjoy a meal with a variety of textures.
During treatment and for over a year after that I slept in my recliner because I had trouble breathing when sleeping. Today I am back in my bed.
I use a nasal rinse bottle 1-2 times a day to reduce congestion. But it’s always there.
Good luck.
Radiation damage is difficult. After 18 months, I still have trouble with dry foods (such as bread). But it is getting better. Over time he will learn ways to compensate for dryness.
I ate a lot of soups the first year. I soak banana bread in milk. I don’t eat many chips. But I experimented with breakfasts, and a banana with a large bowl of Life cereal has the right combo of texture and moisture to make a good breakfast.
I cooked a lot before diagnosis. It’s one of the struggles now. But a year ago I would try some food and be unable to eat it, and then be discouraged and disappointed. Now when that happens I use the info to adjust my cooking and eating.
Eating will improve, and he will adjust and learn what works for him
I had a PTSD episode at my 5 month scan. I have worked on that, and each scan gets a little easier. However, I don’t think it ever goes away. I think you just have to realize it is coming and recognize your emotions and reactions. And give yourself permission to be you, whatever that is.
I am 67. I am 18 months after the end of treatment. My energy level is far below what it was before diagnosis. It is much better than it was right after treatment ended, but it is still sometimes discouraging.
It has taken me a while to be able to regulate my energy usage. I do some activity, then I rest. Then maybe some more activity, then I rest. If I know I have a big day coming, I make sure that I don’t do much the day before or after.
I have had struggles accepting the new me. In the past few months I have been seeing a counselor and it has really helped. I have been able to do the counseling remotely if needed. That may be possible for you guys.
Good wishes to you.
I am at 18 months after treatment ended for tonsil cancer. My RBC and hemo is finally close to the lower level of normal. They slowly climbed over 18 months.
My docs say that, since my creatinine is high, the hormone in the kidneys that stimulates RBC growth is inhibited, My RBC levels will probably stay about the same.
Thanks for the information.
I agree with Stephen and others here, it takes months to literally a couple of years before normalcy returns. And even at that, there may be issues which last for many years such as nerve pain or muscle cramps. It took me thirteen years to stop tearing up from the pain of a sneeze, the last of my painful issues to subside.
Radiation to me seems similar in recovery to a severe burn rather than a broken bone or recovery from a difficult illness. Radiation is just nasty what it does internally. In addition, in many cases radiation to the neck can injure the thyroid, which in turn can make the patient feel like crap. Have his TSH value checked at next doctor visit to be sure, an easy blood test.
The worry about an upcoming PET scan? Just something else to get used to. Not sure the worry ever goes away. My experience with others about repeating treatment? It's very unlikely. Courage.
My son, at age 54 had stage 3 thyroid cancer diagnoses and underwent 33 radiation treatments and 5 or 6 weeks of chemo in 2019 and has yeat to get his taste back. He was told it could take a few months, or a year or so or maybe never. He drinks nutrition drinks and eats no food for all of these years and now just sits at home and has no energy, cannot even walk to his mailbox and refuses to go to the doctor and get checked out. He never married and lives alone with his cat. He was denied disability and he has always worked, has a college degree and was a bridge builder. He didn't tell us about his diagnoses until the last day of his radiation--didn't want to upset us and knew that we would look for the best treatment possible for him (Yes we would have). To see how healthy he was and how he is now breaks my heart, so I hope if anyone sees this post and tries to keep a diagnosis from a loved one, Please don't--they care so much about your well being and may be able to help you traverse the medical field and get you the best treatment available! Prayers and Hugs to all. Baz10