Dealing with this VILE taste in mouth and dry mouth

Wanderlust

I had my first chemo treatment last week and of all the side effects I was preparing myself for this was not one I was worried about and yet its giving me the most trouble. I heard that food tastes can change during chemo, but I was not expecting having a terrible taste in my mouth at all times. I was just researching it and it seems that this is one side effect that doesn't subside until weeks or months after your last chemo treatment!! The thought of this is simply unbearable!

I've read that Biotene Mouthwash helped a lot of people, so I'm going to pick that up tomorrow. And I've found chewing gum helps a bit (it keeps my mouth moist but the bad taste is still there). Hard candies really don't help because as soon as the candy is gone, the taste is back. I'm guessing xylitol gum and mints are the best to be using?

Can anybody share some tips of what they used to help this taste, the dry mouth, and the flavor changes???

GG27

Lemonade was the only thing that really helped me & I used biotene, but didn't find it helped as much as sipping on cold lemonade. Sorry you're going thru this, I'm sure others will post their ideas too. GG

vlnrph

Did you see the Biotene gum for sale where you found the mouthwash? That brand has many products to try for dry mouth.

Do be careful not to consume too much of anything with artificial sweeteners like mannitol/sorbitol, etc (they can give people diarrhea if overused).

flannelette

Things would taste great going down, then the bad vile bottom of the garbage can taste would be back. I ended up brushing my teeth about 5 -6 times a day and flossing - and guess what, after all tx through and I went to the dentist again my gums had significantly improved! I loathed the taste of water, coffee, tea, almost anything wet. To keep hydrated I finally discovered very cold cubes of watermelon, cantaloupe & pineapple - keep in fridge ready to go.

goldenpawsKim

Good morning. I also had my first chemo treatment a little over a week ago (1/8). I had lost all my taste for the first week but now its back yay!! Continue to use Biotene mouth rinse and if needed, rinse with warm salt water (suggested by my MO). I can't stand the salt water taste so I did not do it. My mouth and taste are just about normal again. And most importantly, keep on drinking water!!! Good luck. Enjoy your weekend

Kim

Beachbum1023

Dry mouth and yucky taste? Try sucking on lemon drops (hard candy), add fresh lemon slices to cold water, and popsicles. I finished my Taxol 11/25 and I'm still waiting for the dry mouth to stop. Biotene mouth wash helps also. And brush your teeth a lot. I hate when my tongue is so dry that it feels and sounds like I slur my words! Grrrr.......