Taste of food

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Marjorie707
Marjorie707 Member Posts: 31
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

I am going for my 7th taxal treatment tomorrow (of 12) and although I was warned to expect a metallic taste in my mouth, I have and noticed the metal taste comes and goes.  But, once in a while, I get a soapy taste in my mouth, no matter what I eat.

Does anyone else notice this?

--Diagnosed 2/20/09, IDC.

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  • NatureGrrl
    NatureGrrl Member Posts: 1,367
    edited August 2009

    I just had 5 out of 12 of Taxol... I've heard of soapy and metallic tastes from others -- I wouldn't identify the taste in my mouth as either, but whatever it is (and it's definitely there!), it's annoying and taking any pleasure out of eating!  Even water tastes funny, and many foods taste awful.  Hang in there; this, too, shall pass...

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  • NatsFan
    NatsFan Member Posts: 3,745
    edited August 2009

    I had the soapy taste as well.  I first noticed it at work with my coffee cup - I figured I hadn't rinsed the thing properly!  So I rinsed it and rinsed it a bunch of times one day, and couldn't figure out why it still was soapy.  It finally dawned on me that it wasn't the cup - it was me!  (OK, so I was a little slow on the uptake - I had chemobrain!) 

    The soapy taste unfortunately persisted throughout my chemo, but gradually went away after a month or so after my last treatment. 

    Good luck - as Nature says, this too shall pass.

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  • BrittaA
    BrittaA Member Posts: 56
    edited August 2009
    Hi Marjorie707,
    I'm a cancer survivor and was a caregiver to my father who battled cancer for 8 years. I couldn't find much information on dealing with the side effects of chemo and radiation treatment so I started a blog, www.CincoVidas.com that provides information on chemo and radiation side effects.
    I wrote a post on my own experience in caring for my father who suffered with the horrible "metal" taste you are experiencing and a promising fruit that has helped many patients http://blog.cincovidas.com/could-this-tiny-red-miracle-fruit-revive-taste-buds-for-cancer-patients#more-1881.
    I hope this helps.

    Love, strength and survival,
    Britta

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  • Marjorie707
    Marjorie707 Member Posts: 31
    edited August 2009

    Thanks everyone!  At least I know I'm  not completely losing my mind!  I had asked my oncology nurse about it on Friday, but she said none of her patients ever described it as "soapy" before.  It comes and goes and now I'm almost done---5 more to go!

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  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited August 2009

    I was switched from Taxol to Taxotere and my post will echo Nature grrl's to the letter.  Everything tastes like "Crisco" to me and even water makes me sick to my stomach.  I hate this!

    Linda

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  • spar2
    spar2 Member Posts: 6,827
    edited August 2009

    try swishing your mouth out with 1/2 peroxide and 1/2 water mix or warm water with salt mixed in it every few hours, this helped a friend of mine with taste problems.  I know when I was going through chemo water and coffee were horrible and I craved things like strawberry (real fruit) popsicles and cheese and crackers.  Just certain foods tasted ok.  Wishing you the best.  Hang in there.

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  • hollyann
    hollyann Member Posts: 2,992
    edited August 2009

    It also helps to eat with plastic utensils...This cuts the metalic taste way down.......

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  • Dragonfly1976
    Dragonfly1976 Member Posts: 1,637
    edited August 2009

    I don't have the metal taste so much, as everything just tastes like crap! I seem to have lots of extra spit in my mouth. I describe the taste as when you have a really bad cold and you have that awful taste in your mouth where nothing sounds or tastes good. That's what I have. I hate it, makes it hard to eat even when I'm hungry!

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  • kmc3
    kmc3 Member Posts: 1
    edited August 2009

    Dear Dragonfly1976:

    I am on my next to last (of 6 total) TCH treatments. My LIFESAVER...literally...has been peppermint (white ones) Lifesavers.  I even fall asleep with one in my mouth sometimes.  It really helps with the metallic, burning, skunky slimy taste I get the first week and 1/2 after chemo.  My daughter's art teacher went through treatment years ago and she told her to tell me about the mints.  It has been one of the best pieces of information I have gotten.  I may never love peppermints again after this, but who cares! They're doing what I need them to do now.  Funny how the taste buds can really get you down.  It's a constant reminder of what is coursing through your system...hopefully destroying cancer cells, but also much more than need be too, I guess.  Best of luck with your treatment. After my last chemo on 8/27/09, I will finish with continued Herceptin through April 2010.  I hope the side effects are less.

    God Bless and Good Luck...kmc3

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