Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#132415 04-02-2011 03:01 PM
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1
croney1 Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member

Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1
I am 4 weeks post radiation tx to my neck and mouth. the bitter/metalic/sour taste in my mouth is no better, if not worse. I did have mucositis while having treatment. is there anything I can do to ameliorate, cover up this taste while waiting to heal?

croney1 #132419 04-02-2011 07:32 PM
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,507
Likes: 6
Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,507
Likes: 6
Welcome to OCF! Unfortunately, this is all part of the healing process. Recovery can take months. Dont worry your sense of taste should slowly return. There isnt anything I know of that will mask the odd taste you are experiencing. Keep up getting a minimum 2500 calories and 48 oz water daily. The better your nutrition, the faster you will bounce back. Best of luck with your continued improvements.


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile
ChristineB #132424 04-02-2011 09:30 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,406
Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Offline
Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,406
Christine's advice is excellent. I pretty much agree: there's not a whole lot you can do, your body will heal at its own rate. One thing you might try is chewing gum with Xylitol. I know Biotene makes a gum but I just use Trident Extra Care. It's good for your teeth, which we all need post-RT, and freshens your mouth too. Ingredient list-wise it has the most Xylitol of any of the readily available commercial brands that I've been able to find. Maybe someone else has another suggestion?

Hang in there - things will get better!

David 2


David 2
SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 14 years all clear in 6/23 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18
David2 #132437 04-03-2011 11:06 AM
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 711
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Offline
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)

Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 711
I think we all know that horrible taste all too well. The 1st question I asked on this forum was if I would ever be able to enjoy food again. It took a bit longer for me than most, I think, 18 months of Ensure Plus (the vanilla was the only one I could stand the taste of) and fruit smoothies. Now I'm eating pretty normally, although a lot of things are still dry and need lots of gravy or sauce of some kind. Time is pretty much the answer. I know some were back to eating in just a few months.


David R. 65 yr old male non-smoker, light drinker, stage 3 or 4, depending on which doc you ask, scc rt. tonsil, 2 nodes, 7 weeks radiation and chemo. No surgery. Teatment ended 3/20/08. PET scan 8/08 showed no cancer.
And now, as of oct, 2010, caregiver to wife, Linda, with breast cancer.
May, 2013, Linda diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. Enuf already.

Link Copied to Clipboard
Top Posters
ChristineB 10,507
davidcpa 8,311
Cheryld 5,260
EzJim 5,260
Brian Hill 4,912
Newest Members
Jina, VintageMel, rahul320, Sean916, Megm37
13,103 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums23
Topics18,166
Posts196,921
Members13,103
Most Online458
Jan 16th, 2020
OCF Awards

Great Nonprofit OCF 2023 Charity Navigator OCF Guidestar Charity OCF

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5