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

I was told that their was a good chance that I would not get my taste back. But months after treatment they came back. Some stuff does taste different than before. So hang in there and good luck

I had treatment for HPV+ base of tongue cancer with chemoradiation and it took a good year and 1/2 for my taste to really come back. At the one year mark I noticed a dramatic difference and it continued to get better. I was advised to take Zinc tablets by my radiation oncologist to help with the return of taste and I still take them. I have 90% of my taste back at almost 2 years out.

Hi William,
You responded to my initial post about my husband's cancer when he was diagnosed in last June. Thank you!
It would be a gross understatement to say this journey has been difficult. I am a cancer survivor (breast). I had a lot of surgeries and chemo, but no radiation. My husband's experience worse than mine because of the treatments. He had drop foot from the chemo (carboplatin) and now has neuropathy in his right leg causing balance problems, pain & numbness. He says the PT is helping. We are not praying he won't need surgery to remove the lymph node in his neck.
I have been reading as much as I can find re the taste issue resulting from radiation. His radiation oncologist says it could take up to 2 years. But I read it can be much longer.
I'm glad you didn't have this issue so bad. It's hopeful to hear that you got your taste back.
Thanks for your support as we move through this process that we thought would be over by now (11 1/2 months after diagnosis).

I had very similar cancer and treatments however my taste came back slightly within a few weeks and more or less fully within a year. People complain of loss of taste from Covid 19 or from surgery to the tongue but that doesn't seem to be the case here. A doctor visit might be in order to find out what is going on.

Hi there,
Back in 2008 had tonsil cancer and it was in 3 lymph nodules one being almost 8cm, so I had 35 rounds of radiation which amounted to 70 Gy and 3 rounds of the platinum-based chemo Cisplatin. In looking back at my notes, it took me about 10 months to get most of my tastes back and not have alcohol not burn as much and have my dry mouth the best since I that treatment began.
On the positive side, when my taste buds started coming back, I actually enjoying more healthy vegetables that I never liked before and some sweats were even sweater. Good luck and safe journey.

Best,

Rob

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 !!!

I have a similar story. My last radiation and chemo treatments were on August, 2022. It took a long time for my taste buds to “wake up”. Slowly I was able to enjoy eating again. I can swallow foods now without choking. Some of my favorite foods from the past don’t have the same flavor, however. I used to love chocolate, but now not so much. Maybe that’s a good thing in disguise. I guess I can describe my taste buds as a bit “dull” as compared to before cancer. My experience is that your taste buds will return, but maybe not to the same level as before. Experiment with new foods and be grateful, as I am, to be able to eat solid foods at all. I pray your journey is goes well.

They will come back gradually. I had my last treatment in May. As for as solid foods, you should be good to go in 2-4 months. Keep trying different soft things.
As far as enjoying eating again? I don’t know. Meal time is not what it used to be as far as enjoying. That said I am very thankful for my progress and it sounds like you are doing well.

I was told by my ENT that by post 12 months, you might not get any further forward progress. I am at 40 months post chemo/radiation, and I am still waking up my taste buds. My ability to handle spicy hot foods is not normal. Hot peppers really aren't that hot. Keep trying don't give up, try new foods and spices. I cut out all floride from my life, which might have helped?!

@teresat47, I agree. Education articles are often too general to be helpful for one's personal situation. But I find they can give a starting point and then it's trial and error, talking with symptom management nurses and fellow patients that help the most.

I'm sorry that you've had to avoid one of your favorite foods/flavors - cinnamon. Hopefully that this something you can look forward to enjoying again after treatment and recovery.

Are you finished radiation now? How are you doing?