I have just had my 6th chemo which was docetaxel (thankfully this time I was armed with strong pain killers, so I have not had to endure the severe pain in all my body and throat which I had with my 5th - such a horrible time !) and am suffering so bad with my mouth which is so dry, sore and no taste at all. Its really getting me down. I am trying different foods and drink but getting no enjoyment whatsoever, eating is a chore. My taste buds never recovered from my 5th session and I have two more (7 & 8) docetaxel to go. Did anyone experience this ? Did your taste buds come back inbetween sessions ? or did they come back after chemo had finished ? I need to see a light at the end of the tunnel ! Any comments really appreciated x
Hi Sara68…sympathise with you having 4 x docetaxol…I had 3 and that was enough! What kept me going through all the horrible side effects was that it is a very effective treatment. My taste buds got worse over the three infusions, and didn’t really re-appear between 2 and 3. I ended up eating ‘slush’ like custard, smoothies soup etc…really anything that I could swallow quickly and easily, although it all tasted like cardboard or really hot and spicy! Tictac mints were quite palatable. The good news is that it took about 3 weeks after the end of chemo in July 2012 for taste buds to be back and the food tasted divine at my daughter’s wedding in mid-August that year :). Even now, some food doesn’t taste the same and spicy food, e.g. Chilli tastes extra spicy…all the very best for the rest of your treatment, and treat yourself to a store of goodies to enjoy when it finishes. Take care x
Hello Maryland
Thank you for your reply sorry you had to go through this as well ! Yes I am holding onto the fact that this treatment is very effective, thank goodness !
Will be putting tic tacs on the list may give me a little break from this horrendous taste. Great that you got to taste lovely food at your daughters wedding. I will look forward to this day when I get to taste food again, my last one is 21st October, so its looking like November, big slap up meal will be planned !
Thanks again, take care x
I only had 3 x docetaxol having had 3 Fec. I suffered with aches and pains with the 1st and complained bitterly to my onc trying to score better pain meds for the next one. He prescribed the ‘steroid tail’ which was 9 extra steroids which were taken in decreasing daily amounts after chemo - absolute miracle cure!! Highly recommend you speak to your team.
I suffered badly with my mouth getting oral thrush each cycle and everything tasted of salty soap. My taste came back with within 3 weeks of last cycle.
Thanks for your reply. Very interesting regarding the extra steriods you took, I was prescribed 5 tablets which started by taking one the night before chemo, then after breakfast and tea for 2 days plus a stomach protector. Whilst taking these i felt ok, symptoms kicked in big time when I stopped, the pain was horrendous ! This time I insisted that I had strong painkillers which have helped but totally exhausted. I will definitely ask my oncologist about taking an extension of the steriods.
Hi I have just finished docotexal and am still having problems with my taste. I find an ice lolly, extra stony mints, jelly sweets and ginger cordial give me short term light relief, but long term I believe its a matter okaying the waiting game unfortunately. Good luck ?
sorry you had to go through this as well ! Yes I am holding onto the fact that this treatment is very effective, thank goodness !