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

Did it take awhile for bloodwork to go back to normal? Some of my husband’s is low and some is elevated, there watching it. It’s been three months since last treatments. And he still is more tired, he’s older so it’s been hard.

I had tonsil cancer back in 2008 and in looking at my notes, it took me about 13-14 months to get all my weight back. I was 222lbs when I started and went as low as 205 my last week of radiation treatment but I was pretty lasered focused as I didn't want a feeding tube.

You will get better.

@vickie1320 I don't think "scanxiety" ever goes away. The earlier in the recovery, the scarier it is. I still worry each time even though it's been 3 1/2 years. The brutality of the treatment is really fresh on your mind in those early days, plus the obvious risk of the cancer having returned, or I guess never had gone away.

The saying "don't worry about something you can't control" is absolutely accurate and logical, but it is impossible to be logical when you are dealing with cancer. Tell your husband I am hoping for the best for him.

If he ever needs someone to talk to, I can talk. Talking to someone who has experienced what he has, who he doesn't have to worry about what is said, is very useful. I know when I was post-treatment, I did not want to tell my wife my darker thoughts, because I knew that this was traumatic for her also.

My husband had tonsil cancer and he still struggles to eat dry or harder things. He still hasn’t gained much weight and it’s been three months since last treatment. The dr just said it takes lots of time to put weight back on. He isn’t even feeling 100% yet, June will be four months done with treatments. Is this what it’s likes for others too? He’s nervous about his first pet scan coming up.

My husband had tonsil cancer and he still struggles to eat dry or harder things. He still hasn’t gained much weight and it’s been three months since last treatment. The dr just said it takes lots of time to put weight back on. He isn’t even feeling 100% yet, June will be four months done with treatments. Is this what it’s likes for others too? He’s nervous about his first pet scan coming up.

@vickie1320 This is probably not what you want to hear, but here goes. It's been 3 and 1/2 years since the end of.my treatment and my taste buds have never returned. I can taste super sweet stuff and things that have vinegar. Nothing else has come back. My oncologist has said there is really nothing that can be done.

For me, I have mostly accepted it and realized I have to eat to live. I now just eat what my wife likes and it's the way it is. If I eat out, I just get things I used to like and imagine how good it was.

Did you have any nasal problems after, it’s been 3 months since treatments ended and now he’s stuffy and can’t sleep good. He’s had all the rinses and nose sprays nothing helps. I think the radiation ruined that.

@vickie1320 This is probably not what you want to hear, but here goes. It's been 3 and 1/2 years since the end of.my treatment and my taste buds have never returned. I can taste super sweet stuff and things that have vinegar. Nothing else has come back. My oncologist has said there is really nothing that can be done.

For me, I have mostly accepted it and realized I have to eat to live. I now just eat what my wife likes and it's the way it is. If I eat out, I just get things I used to like and imagine how good it was.

@vickie1320 This is probably not what you want to hear, but here goes. It's been 3 and 1/2 years since the end of.my treatment and my taste buds have never returned. I can taste super sweet stuff and things that have vinegar. Nothing else has come back. My oncologist has said there is really nothing that can be done.

For me, I have mostly accepted it and realized I have to eat to live. I now just eat what my wife likes and it's the way it is. If I eat out, I just get things I used to like and imagine how good it was.

Hi, my husband had radiation & chemo for tonsil p16+. He finished treatment almost 9 months ago & still cannot taste anything. He was not on a feeding tube & lost all saliva production.
I would do appreciate responses re return of taste, any taste. He is becoming worried he will never taste again! It’s a real struggle to keep weight on as his appetite is so diminished.
Also, I heard that the longer you go without taste, the more likely it will never return.
Please help🙏🙏🙏thank you all !!!