I realize that everyone is different, but, I was wondering how long it took people to loose their sorethroat after radiation was finished. Also, when did the taste buds come back?

Thank you,

Molly

Maybe about a month mate. But you will be highly sensitised to spicy types of food for a very long time! maybe forever. Also the lack of saliva will be a problem. But, as I said, the sore throat could be a month or less if you are lucky.

Hello Molly

The taste will improve slowly but for now most things might taste like 'cardboard'!

Do a Keyword Search for 'taste' using the "Find" drop down menu or click here! . You will come across many posts, some from Pauline, describing the ups and downs of taste and what foods seems to taste better.

Best wishes
Vinod

Thanks Tony And Dr Joshi!! I appreciate the reply. Will comment when and if I can start tasting again....yummmm

Molly

It's 2 weeks today since I completed my 30 sessions of radiotherapy and I "think" I am getting some taste back but that maybe wishful thinking on my part!!

BUT I just have this goddawful taste in my mouth all the time now. I can't trace it to any particular food and drink and am just wondering whether it's a known after effect of radiotherapy.

and if anyone knows - how to get rid of it!!

thanks in anticipation

FB...

Wow, it's great to hear from you again! I have so often wondered how you were faring with the treatment. I am ecstatic that the radiation is now behind you.

About the taste... Would you describe it as "metallic" by chance? My Danny was not able to eat or drink for 11 mos. post radiation/chemo, but I do remember him saying that he had a metal taste in his mouth most of the time. While I did not know how to get rid of it in his case, I will say it is no longer an issue fourteen months after treatment. He is now eating almost normally and has no metallic taste problem anymore. So, Fat Buddha, I think there is hope that, given some time, your "Goddawful taste" will subside on its own. Have you asked your radiation oncologist about something that might help?

Are you able to swallow fairly well at this point? Did you ever need a gastric feeding tube? Have you had any scans yet to know whether or not it's "all clear"?

Again, good to see you back on the message board and now in the recovery phase. My fingers are crossed that your sense of taste will return as well as my Dan's has. Take extra good care of yourself.

From my heart,

Melanie

Hi Melanie - thanks for your comments

I have spoken to my oncologist and she suspects it's just one of those recovery things - different people get affected in different ways. It's not a metallic taste at all - more of a dull taste in many ways and I'm sure thick saliva has something to do with it. I'm chewing gum which seems to help.

I'm actually doing very well otherwise - swallowing is fine (more so as the sore throat recedes to a bad memory) and I never needed any artificial means of feeding. In fact - 2 weeks after treatment stopped I am more or less getting back to normal - and I am starting to get back into exercise with biking, running and swimming (I had my fist sea swim of the year at the weekend). In fact I'm planning to complete a triathlon in early August - maybe earlier if the mood takes me!!

I guess I'm one of the luckier ones in that radiotherapy didn't deal any major blows on me - apart from the expected side effects, my big problem was the skin breaking down and weeping at the radiation site - but even that's cleared up now so you'd hardly know I had treatment.

My oncologist is so pleased with my progress that she has no great desire to see me for 6-8 weeks although I will be seeing my ENT surgeon on the 30th June for a check up.

I guess I may be one of the luckier ones - but only time will tell. Fingers crossed!

ciao

You GO, FB!!! Sea swimming... an August triathlon... obviously cancer was no match for you! Must admit I am enormously impressed... and sooooo glad that you have fared this well through treatment. You are certainly a testiment to the importance of maintaining top-notch physical health. It is no mystery why you endured the cancer treatments so much better than most and emerged essentially unscathed. You are a remarkable fellow and I look forward to hearing about your upcoming feats of physical endurance! Congrats!

Melanie

thanks Melanie

I am convinced physical and mental fitness are amongst the best antidotes to illness of any type - acute or chronic - which is why I get fed up with people who do not look after their physical welfare (fitness, diet etc) and who then blame the medical profession when they get ill.

Look after your body and it will look after you as best it can.

I may be a bit OTT in my approach for someone in their 50's but I've always taken on sporting challenges - that's just my nature - so anything that gets in the way like cancer is dealt with as quickly as possible so I can get back to it.

As they say - I'll stop when I drop!!

Like last night - I was watching the TV show of this year's Ironman Lanzarote - probably the toughest Ironman event. One guy doing it had broken his back 4 years ago on the course whilst bike training - he had up until then been a world class Ironman triathlete and ranked in the top 10. He completed the course in 14 hours - swam with no leg use and then did the bike and run course in special wheelchairs. Stupendous physical and mental determination - I had tears in my eyes as he finished.

Now - if he can do that with his problems - I can do what I do with mine. Life's for the living so grasp every moment of it.

ciao