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15 Comments:
I underwent chemo for about four months a couple of years ago. I'm sure that the specifics vary from cocktail to cocktail and person to person, but my taste buds would go in and out as the treatment went on. Sometimes you have to eat for nourishment alone--you won't have an appetite, you'll be nauseous, and/or nothing tastes right. Hang in there--I'll make no promises of complete restoration of taste, but it will be better when the drugs are out of your system. I was told to drink what seemed like way too much water during chemo, but it helped when I did it. Most of the days when I felt worst were because I needed more fluid.
Stay nourished, stay hydrated, and stay tough.
thebeef at 12:55PM on 12/18/08
I'm so sorry you're going through such an ordeal. I have had pneumonia for four months now, and the meds have really messed with my tastebuds. Some things I used to love taste terrible. I have never, in my life, thrown away so much food. One taste and I know I can't eat it (I live alone). Anyway, I've found that stews and soups really satisfy me. I can load them with vegetables and meat and carbs (usually noodles, but the chicken and dumplings was exceptionally good). I crave soup nearly every day and it has a bonus of getting more liquids in me. And I've also been on a saltine kick and they are wonderful with soups.
Keep up your strength, keep trying different foods and keep us updated. We care.
PerkyMac at 1:40PM on 12/18/08
I sympathise, been doing chemo off and on for almost a year. the best advice I can tell you is find anything you can eat or drink and do it. Ive gone thru phases where it was sweets were the only thing that stayed down and a week later nothing sweet would stay put. Just keep a positive outlook and check with your Dr about taking high dose vitamins to suppliment. You will definatly be in my thoughts and prayers. I get to start again myself the week after christmas. Hang in there and take it one day at a time!
huneybumper at 1:50PM on 12/18/08
I had to take medication that so messed up my taste buds Diet Coke was some sort of hideous liquid. Salt was bitter, nothing tasted good to me at all. But, I developed a craving for V-8, and, strangely, the low-sodium version tasted better to me than the regular V-8. Also, ginger ale dilute with lots of ice went down nicely. For a while, melted cheese, something mild like mozzarella, was all I could eat. White bread, of course, the soft, Wonder variety. After that, of all things, cheap bologna on white with a bit on mayonnaise was easy to enjoy. And soup - I was out of my mind for a while for simple Campbell's Vegetable Soup. Had it at almost every meal.
Those things kept me going long enough until the medication was done and then, happily, my tastebuds went back to normal.
You'll be fine. Try to indulge yourself - that means ice cream and all sort of otherwise-forbidden treats - as much as possible. Eat small portions, in little bowls and on small dishes. The larger kind intimidated me.
I wish you an eventual Bon Apetit, and every good thing.
Womandingo at 1:52PM on 12/18/08
How about trying to eat those miracle berries? No joke
BiltonNY at 2:30PM on 12/18/08
My friend who just had chemo got more taste (and less nausea) from smoking a certain green herb. You can also cook with it if you don't smoke. Cook it in oil or butter or steep it in tea.
Mischiefdish at 2:46PM on 12/18/08
Chemo nurse for many years. Lots of my patients had problems particularly with meat. One guy kpractically had his marriage break up because he insisted his wife had changed the way she cooked. This isn't just in your head; there are lots of reasons for it. We do know that chemo works better on people who are well nourished.
Please talk to your doctor and nurse if nausea is a problem; there are ltos of new meds that are much more effective than only a few years ago. Small bits of high-energy food is more effective than three big meals. I kept my mom going on tiny cups of hot chocolate and hot buttered toast, plus cream soups and grilled cheese sandwiches for a couple of weeks during the worst part of her appetite problems. We're here for you if you need us, but this is a time to call on all your friends. Those folks who say "Let me know if I can do something"? - call 'em up and ask them to bring a pint of Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey or something like that and explain you may only be able to take a spoonful or two but you'd like to try.
lemons at 4:07PM on 12/18/08
I wish you well. I heard that pot will do the trick. You should talk to your Doctor about that.
pjracz10 at 5:07PM on 12/18/08
I don't have cancer, but other progressive disorders and I take chemo medications Zofran, anti-nausea, and Procrit, red blood cell producer, injections. Neither affect my taste.
I also take a cancer medication called Megace, which stimulates my appetitite. And for those that mentioned pot, there are "pot pills" called Marinol that I know can be used for appetitie, nausea, and pain. You may want to ask your doctors if you have other options for medications.
I agree with the soup recommendations, saltines, and most often when I'm too nauseous for regular foods my mom makes me soft boiled eggs and toast that sustain me for quite some time. Also I drink carnation instant breakfasts daily to keep calories in.
I was quite ill a few weeks ago and lost taste and it was quite miserable, I kept trying to eat flavorful foods, but found that wasn't the way to go because they just tasted worse. All pop tasting flat is quite a bummer. I then stuck with bland foods and finally my taste came back and I felt better.
I am thinking of you and hoping you have better days.
bobcatsteph3 at 6:12PM on 12/18/08
Mashed potatoes, plain and simple, no garlic-horseradish-cheese-sour cream, just milk butter salt and pepper, was the only thing my husband wanted for awhile on chemo. nothing else tasted "right" and just disappointed him. I have not craved mashed potatoes since, but I would make them for him every night if I had the chance!
Cary at 6:35PM on 12/18/08
I'm in the same boat. One thing I've found is that cold foods taste better than hot (although soup is an exception--soups can be great, especially creamy ones.) I've found myself eating things I never would have dreamed of eating a few months ago---canned peaches and pears have been a lifesaver; I literally cried one night over my canned peaches because they actually tasted so good. American cheese singles (the kind wrapped in plastic!) have been a source of protein--most other cheeses taste sour (including my beloved Parmesean, its so frustrating.) Peanut butter, I eat it by the spoonful, also good for protein. Sandwiches of peanut butter, banana and honey on soft bread. (Soft, because on those really bad taste days, I also often have a scratchy throat and esophagus, everything seems like sandpaper going down.) Chocolate and rice pudding snack packs. Ice cold chocolate milk. On the really bad taste days, sweet things are the only things that taste bearable. I can't tell you how much food I've pushed aside after one bite--things that seem like they should taste good, but don't (fortunately hubby is around to clean up after me.)
I've also found that contrary to what one might expect, bland foods tastes the worst. Stronger, spicier stuff (if you can handle it) may taste better, may mask the "off" tastes. Mashed potatoes--I thought would be perfect, but noooo! Just keep experimenting and you'll find what works. Everyone is a bit different. Its horribly frustrating, I know, especially for "foodies" like us. But it will pass! (only one more treatment left for me, I can't wait to really enjoy my food again.)
jinx35 at 8:08PM on 12/18/08
I wish I had a recommendation, but just wanted to say stay strong, prayers and thoughts are with you and others here who are having a difficult time.
scarletini at 11:00PM on 12/18/08
peach, mango and raspberry sorbet were winners for my husband as well
Cary at 3:04PM on 12/19/08
The best foods to eat are simple and salty. Omelets with cheese and not spicy sausage and bacon. Hash browns, grilled potatoes, mashed potato, rotisserie chicken. You want your food hot it goes down easy for mouth dryness. For sweet things cold vanilla milkshakes. Soda does not work well. Make sure you rinse after you eat with salt water to get your mouth feeling clean again.
If you get mouth sores ask for magic mouthwash.
Iced tea minus lemon is good with lots of sugar or honey.
Warm tea too.
Stay away from acids.
For snacks get some of those jello pudding snacks in vanilla, rice and a flavor you can tolerate.
Lots of fluids keep hydrated.
Bananas are good. Ice cream or frozen yogurt.
Soups mostly clear ones with maybe some noodles. Stay away from tomatoes.
Potato soup was a no brainer, little milk, little cheese some salt and pepper.
Mrs Grass is your friend. That crappy little box of instant soup is just what you need some days when you don't want to wait to eat.
JerzeeTomato at 4:38AM on 12/20/08
I also have no recommendations but I will hold good thoughts and prayers for all you that are hurting. I will agree with @lemons~~~anyone who has offered to "help" take them up on it. We all do care for the people who post here.
renee59 at 3:05PM on 12/21/08