Hi Susan, David summed upnthe side effects really well.
Just a couple more things, if it does get so bad that you can't swallow, like for martin do not try and fight the nasal feeding tube (like Martin did) in the end he got so thin and weak that they threatened and said either you accept the tube or you stay in hospital. It was such a relief with the tube, he hardly felt it and I could feed him with no pressure and without battling with him or hurting him. If you do manage to swallow to avoid loosing too much weight try dairy products, full fat milk, yoguty drinks, milkshakes (that's what our dietician recommended).
Your taste buds might go funny, for Martin everything was salty, even the water, others said food tasted metallic, or rotten. It depends. But maple syrup disguise the taste for a long time.
Recovery of taste buds and saliva are like a see-saw. It took about 3 months for some improvement to come and then the taste buds go away and come back. Martin says the taste buds are back 75% and he is quite satisfied with that. His saliva glands have recovered in the mouth but not in the throat, but every one is different. So he has trouble with dry foods and chicken. He needs things in sauces or slimy foods and he needs to drink a lot with meals. But apart from that he can eat a normal diet as such, meat vegetables, potaotes with lots of butter (but not chips), citrus fruits are a no no but melon type fruits and bananas are fine. Just make sure you keep drinking water.
And most of all if you do get bad side effects don't get disheartened, it might take a while but things do improve and there is light at the end of the tunnel.