Since my larynectomy I've lost my sense of taste and smell and find it hard to find things I like to eat. Anything anyone has tried to increase your appetite?
Hi @willieb, I am one of the moderators here and have messaged the other members of the group to see if they can share their experience. Is there a nutritionist available where you were treated? They might have some helpful tips also.
Hi @willieb, I am one of the moderators here and have messaged the other members of the group to see if they can share their experience. Is there a nutritionist available where you were treated? They might have some helpful tips also.
Yes I have a nutritionist and they have me drinking Ensure 5 to seven cans a day but have not found any suggestions that help with my senses of taste and smelling. They have just said it will take time for those things to come back but I was just wondering if there was anything I could do to make them come back faster.
I'm 18 months out from surgery, chemoradiation + my taste is stil improving noticably(saliva too).My taste began improving slightly 3-4 months out.I never felt hunger for 4-5 months.You may well do better than me.Now I enjoy a lot of food now especially fruit ,ribs other juicy meats dark chocolates,garlic bread but I have to say it's going to take time.All the best with your eating +your scans
Hi @willieb, I am one of the moderators here and have messaged the other members of the group to see if they can share their experience. Is there a nutritionist available where you were treated? They might have some helpful tips also.
willieb,
I'm an RN and came across your problem often. I was working in pediatric oncology and the kids who had chemo or bone marrow transplants would tell their parents to get a Happy Meal or chicken nuggets. Not one of them ever ate it. It tasted like cardboard. After a while I noticed that the kids were eating foods with vinegar in them. Pickles, vinegar on spinach (??), German potato salad, fries with vinegar, etc. Later I was a home hospice nurse and one of the patients was recovering from a bout of nasty chemo. She told me she wished there was just one food that would taste good. I told her about the pickles, etc. The next time I visited her, she asked, "When can I stop eating the pickles?". In many cases just getting something down that tasted good starts the recovery of taste buds.
Carol
Hi @willieb, I am one of the moderators here and have messaged the other members of the group to see if they can share their experience. Is there a nutritionist available where you were treated? They might have some helpful tips also.
Carol, thank you so much. I will try eating pickles and adding vinegar to some foods. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond to my plea. I realize I need to be patient but just wanted to see if there was anything else I could try. Thank you!
I'm 18 months out from surgery, chemoradiation + my taste is stil improving noticably(saliva too).My taste began improving slightly 3-4 months out.I never felt hunger for 4-5 months.You may well do better than me.Now I enjoy a lot of food now especially fruit ,ribs other juicy meats dark chocolates,garlic bread but I have to say it's going to take time.All the best with your eating +your scans
I'm 18 months out from surgery, chemoradiation + my taste is stil improving noticably(saliva too).My taste began improving slightly 3-4 months out.I never felt hunger for 4-5 months.You may well do better than me.Now I enjoy a lot of food now especially fruit ,ribs other juicy meats dark chocolates,garlic bread but I have to say it's going to take time.All the best with your eating +your scans
Hi @willieb, I am one of the moderators here and have messaged the other members of the group to see if they can share their experience. Is there a nutritionist available where you were treated? They might have some helpful tips also.
I'm nearly 2 years out from treatment and my taste buds are still recovering. I enjoyed grapes for the first time this week. There are still quite a number of foods that don't taste good to me. What I found is that you just need to keep tasting. What tasted bad today may be great next week. It keeps improving. The saving grace for me were eggs and raspberries. They were the first to taste really good. Keep on trying different flavor profiles. You'll get there.
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Hi @willieb, I am one of the moderators here and have messaged the other members of the group to see if they can share their experience. Is there a nutritionist available where you were treated? They might have some helpful tips also.
Yes I have a nutritionist and they have me drinking Ensure 5 to seven cans a day but have not found any suggestions that help with my senses of taste and smelling. They have just said it will take time for those things to come back but I was just wondering if there was anything I could do to make them come back faster.
I'm 18 months out from surgery, chemoradiation + my taste is stil improving noticably(saliva too).My taste began improving slightly 3-4 months out.I never felt hunger for 4-5 months.You may well do better than me.Now I enjoy a lot of food now especially fruit ,ribs other juicy meats dark chocolates,garlic bread but I have to say it's going to take time.All the best with your eating +your scans
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1 Reactionwillieb,
I'm an RN and came across your problem often. I was working in pediatric oncology and the kids who had chemo or bone marrow transplants would tell their parents to get a Happy Meal or chicken nuggets. Not one of them ever ate it. It tasted like cardboard. After a while I noticed that the kids were eating foods with vinegar in them. Pickles, vinegar on spinach (??), German potato salad, fries with vinegar, etc. Later I was a home hospice nurse and one of the patients was recovering from a bout of nasty chemo. She told me she wished there was just one food that would taste good. I told her about the pickles, etc. The next time I visited her, she asked, "When can I stop eating the pickles?". In many cases just getting something down that tasted good starts the recovery of taste buds.
Carol
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1 ReactionCarol, thank you so much. I will try eating pickles and adding vinegar to some foods. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond to my plea. I realize I need to be patient but just wanted to see if there was anything else I could try. Thank you!
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2 ReactionsThank you for your response. I will try to be a little more patient. Your input gives me hope. Thank you!
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1 ReactionYou are welcome.Send me a question anytime you want best of luck!
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1 ReactionHey,
I'm nearly 2 years out from treatment and my taste buds are still recovering. I enjoyed grapes for the first time this week. There are still quite a number of foods that don't taste good to me. What I found is that you just need to keep tasting. What tasted bad today may be great next week. It keeps improving. The saving grace for me were eggs and raspberries. They were the first to taste really good. Keep on trying different flavor profiles. You'll get there.
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Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsTry medical marijuana or your doctor can prescribe Marinol. That has helped my husband gain back 20 lbs.
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3 ReactionsI found that i like cool and smooth textures; ie like a peanut butter milk shake-lots of good calories
C