Hello all! I finished my treatment 2 months ago and have had good recovery in many areas--I'm not as tired, I can eat way more, and I have no pain. What I do have is this nasty taste in my mouth--all the time. Does this go away? What kind of time frame am I looking at? Thanks for your help.

Susan,
My taste came back slow, but did come back completely. My RO at Beth Israel suggested that I take 150mg of zinc. Studies have shown that zinc will help in the repair of taste buds. It probably took me about 6 months for complete recovery. Hot and spicy took longer.
Regards,
Rob Jaffe

Susan

My RO said that Zinc works for about 50% of his patients but that he had not seen any bad effects so that it was worth trying for a month. They didn't do anything for me, but my taste came back anyway right along Rob's timeframe.
Charm

Susan,
I too was told that Zinc helps improve taste. I took 220mg a day for years. My taste came back fairly quickly so I assume it helped. Give it a try.

Take care,
Eileen

Is your mouth dry? You could try rinsing with a salt water rinse. quart jar, water, tsp salt and tsp of baking soda. Rinse after meals 4-5 times day. I did this every day of my rad tx and still do. It helps stimulate and heal the mouth. Good Luck

I have a question. I had a free flap surg. 35% of tongue. Does the tongue ever look normal? I mean not so big. and what about the white stuff does it eventually go all back to red again?

You learn something new everyday on this website!! I'm going to give zinc a try!!

Minh

ya sure do! gonna go buy Ron some Zinc!

My sister bought Zinc today. Lol!!