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

Hi there, My last radiation treatment was I believe December 23,2014. I had a feeding tube for a few months. I lived on Boost milkshakes for about a year. Swallowing was very difficult for me. I still have problems with things at times. One day it will be fine and the next time I might as well be chewing rocks and trying to swallow them. I still have a very limited amount of saliva. And my taste buds aren't that great. Things that used to be good aren't so much anymore. I've learned that anything from a can is a NO. I taste the can not the food. I've been freezing as much fresh food as I can. Veggies and fruit. Or I buy as much as I can that is in jars. I was told the same as everyone else. It should only take a few months before everything goes back to pretty much normal. I'm still waiting. Beef is a rarity for me. No hamburger. I've learned that I have to take small bites and not chew as long. When your saliva is limited you dry your food out if you chew too long. I don't eat much bread. For some reason I can eat a wrap easier. I use as much gravy as I can. And like everyone else water water water.

I used a naturopathic doctor in conjunction with my medical team and she recommended zinc supplements. However it has to be cleared with your oncologist first as it’s an antioxidant which is contraindicated for radiation. I started taking it 3 weeks after treatment. The supplement contained vitamins A,C,E, Selenium and Zinc. It’s called ACES + Zn if you search for it. I’m just short of 5 months after radiation and chemo ( I had 25 sessions not the typical 35 so less damage I’m assuming) and my taste buds are about 80% back. However some things taste different. Hang in there it will get better.

Wish you and everyone quick recovery.

I didn't find the articles helpful. , but you can't blame them, they've probably never had to deal with the pain of mouth/tongue sores. Cinnamon to me is absolute torture. And I love it. Right now the only thing I can taste (still have 9 treatments left)is dunkin donuts frozen chocolate. I don't even like chocolate but the cool feeling along with being able to taste something is delightful. Teresa

I agree with Lori, hang in there. My tastes came back one at a time starting after two weeks post. The bad taste in my mouth remained for several months partly I believe being caused by healing and the radiation itself.
The sores may come and go for months if not years just so you are not alarmed. But like all of us post treatment, you will find a new normal and this will all be in the past.

I completed radiation / chemo the end of June and am just now starting to taste some foods. The tip of my tongue is very sensitive yet to salty foods & hard foods (chips, toast etc). My gums are still sensitive to toothpaste also (I can't rinse it out of my mouth fast enough).
I have inquired about these things also with the professionals and get the same response:
"everyone is different."
Hang in there and do what you have to do.
Lori

Thanks, @colleenyoung, for replying. I will go over the articles and check more.

In regard to your question about tasting some food over others? Unfortunately, no. But my tongue burns me when I eat any spicy, salty, or sour food.

Hi @naznaz, "forcing" yourself to do something doesn't sound like a healthy approach to me. I wonder if bringing joy into preparing food and tasting food might be an approach worth trying as suggested in this article "make it a production"
- Lost your sense of taste or smell? 8 tips for eating well https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/lost-your-sense-of-taste-or-smell-due-to-covid-19-or-cancer-treatment--8-tips-for-eating-well.h00-159458478.html

I'm not sure regaining taste is something that can be sped up. You might wish to ask an oncology nutritionist.

Here's an article I found with a few tips.
- What Causes a Loss of Taste, and How to Regain It https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-get-your-taste-buds-back

Excerpt from the article:
- Eat cold foods, which may be easier to taste than hot foods.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Brush your teeth before and after eating.
- Ask your doctor to recommend products that may help with dry mouth.
- Mints, gum, and using plastic utensils instead of metal can help with a temporary metallic taste.

Do you find that you can taste some foods over others?

What are the strategies to speed up the taste regaining? I finished mine a week ago after 33 sessions. But I had/have no tube as I've fought to keep my weight not to reduced more than 4kg. My second question, do you thing if i continue to force myself in eating would speed up the taste regaining?

One note, usually others mentioned that they have very dry mouth. I have some dryness but not fully. But the problem, I don't want to drink even water. There is a stupid taste in my mouth.

I was diagnosed squamous cell cancer at the base of my tongue. It had spread into the lymph node on the right side of my neck. I completed 7 weeks of radiation (35 sessions) on May 5th. I also had weekly chemo. The 3 weeks after the completion were absolutely the hardest days of the whole ordeal. I did not have a feeding tube. I lived mostly off of Boost extra high calorie mixed with carnation high protein instant breakfast.
It has now been 4 months and i have greatly improved. I am eating solid food in small biters and washing it down with water. As far as taste goes, I taste but it is certainly different than before treatment. Saltiness is an issue.
I can say every month is better with highs and lows. I was told another 4 months and i will be much improved.