Since starting EC as expected I have had some changes to how I taste food and drink. Even the thought of most foods/drinks now make me feel queasy and I can’t even try them. Most foods that I can eat are almost tasteless and I can now only tolerate water or milk to drink. I cannot entertain anything even slightly sweet. I normally eat a reasonably balanced diet but I’m just living on very bland beige foods at the moment. At times I dread mealtimes as I just don’t know what to eat. Am due to change over to paclitaxel next month. Are these side effects likely to continue/get worse or might they improve? It’s really starting to get me down now.
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Hi @bluedime82 i finished chemo two years ago today. I generally only ate bland food on Paclitaxel. Taste buds changed to prefer savoury rather than my normal sweet. I also found having thrush as a side effect changed what I could taste. Towards the end my taste buds were near non existent. I was on the monthly chemo starters threads and found others on taxane based chemo (Paclitaxel/docetaxel) also lost their taste. One great tip I was given was to eat fresh pineapple to kick start my taste buds, it helped a bit. So I ate a few cubes before each meal.
It is difficult with change in taste during treatment but you need to eat what you can when you can. I found smaller meals/snacks easier to handle. Having chemo is not easy but doable. You are doing amazing, be kind to yourself. Let your team know how you feel and if you struggle to eat.
This is the link to November chemo starters thread and if yo7 haven’t already joined your month you started treatment you might find it a good source of support with others having chemo at the same time as you.
A great charity called Penny Brohn offer a treatment support programme that cover nutrition. The sessions are online and free but they welcome donations.
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I saw something similar with a relative who went through EC. Their taste changed completely and many foods made them nauseous just by looking at them. Things improved a bit after a few weeks, but there were still bad days. What helped was eating only what they could tolerate, in small portions, without pressure. Your doctor is the best person to guide you on how to handle this stage.
Food has mostly become tasteless for me too. Wasn’t like that at the start, say it started about 6 weeks ago. I can’t even describe this but I have this constant medicine like taste in my mouth. The doctor was trying to explain it has something to do with the salivary glands.
I stick to mostly rice and pasta based dishes. I think this taste issue is going to be with me for now. I am hoping when I drop down to chemotherapy every three weeks (currently weekly) it will get better. It does get me down sometimes too so you are not alone there. But remember chemotherapy is not forever, it will be over soon and your normal taste will return.
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Tbh I dont know the answer to this as everyone is different however I can tell you to try not stress about “meal times”.
When is went through treatment (EC & paclitaxel) my oncologist encouraged me to eat what I could, when I could. Sometimes this mashed potatoes or watermelon at meal times. Other times it was picking up something I fancied when out & about. I understand the importance of nutrition however if its between eating & not, dont stick to mealtimes. Eat little & often & eat whatever takes your fancy.
It doesn’t seem like it just now but this will pass & you’ll get your appetite back x
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In contrast, I had AC which really messed up my sense of taste (truly horrible - water tasted vile, for example). However, when I switched to paclitaxel within a short time my taste was back to normal. We’re all different! Good luck 