Metallic taste - any tips

Hi Julie,  The ladies have given you great advice.  My suggestion is to try all and see what works for you.  I went out and purchased copius amounts of plastic cutlery before chemo and didn't need to use any of it.  Any takers???? I just had the furry mouth for the first 7-8 days.  I found drinking water through a straw gave me the amount I needed.  I avoided milk products but heh whatever works for you.  Good luck.  Remember chemo is only for a short time. XLeonie

The oncologist don't really comment on "complementary" theraphy, however they don't deny it that it helps. However you need to tell your oncologist, so it is on the radar.   So I got my acupunture through a bc friend, and tried it on my 2nd round of chemo - 1 session  "before" and 1 session "after" each round, it helps my body recover faster.  It also helps my digestive systems and calming my mind.  The sessions were very calming, as you have to lay there for 15-20 minutes while the needles still in you. (it doen't hurt, so don't worry).    Not sure where you are based, I am sydney - if you are this way, I can send you the contact.

When you are as sick as I was, you would try anything!!  Have they perscript you the magic nausea tables call "Zofran" yet? Here is some drug review fyi:

http://www.drugs.com/condition/nausea-vomiting.html

http://www.drugs.com/condition/nausea-vomiting-chemotherapy-induced.html

p.s.  It can be a costly exercise, the health fund pays a little for a fix amount, but you can claim portion of it through tax when you reach the threshold.

Biotene .. yike, I used the gel, it was awful.  I think loads of chewy-gum and tic-tac are better choice!!

all the best!  You will get through it.

Thanks Josie,

I have put Tic Tacs on my shopping list :)

Julie

Hi Sonya,

Lovely to hear from you again. Thanks for your tips. I also took on your other tips and bought Alph Keri cream cleanser and Aveena moistures. My skin thanks you. 

We also talked about nails and nail polish. I spoke to my oncologist nurse, who is just the most wonderful lady and she said it has to be black nail polish but there is also a product (she couldn't remember what it was) that is a sunscreen for your nails and it was CLEAR nail polish. She said you have to protect your nails from the sun, that is why you have to wear the dark polishes, but if you get this sunblock nail polish you don't have to do the gothic look. I haven't looked into it yet and if I find out what it is I will let you know.

Thanks again

Julie

Thanks for all the tips to try and help with the metallic taste. My mouth is already giving me grief and I have this mouthwash called Biotene dry mouth mouthwash. I used it a few days after chemo and I nearly gagged (I'm sure it was the nausea and just feeling horrible and not the product). I haven't used it since, but it really is a mind over matter thing.

Thanks also for the tip about acupuncture. I had forgotten about trying that. Can I just ask if you found an acupuncturist that specialised in helping people with nausea, or did your doctor recommend one and also when did you have it. A few days after chemo, just before???

Thanks

Julie

Thanks ladies and lovely to hear from you again Tonya. I've written all these down (never knew the memory lived in the lymph nodes and breast, but obviously it did as I don't have one anymore).

Did any of you try milk based products. Milk shakes, yoghurt iceblocks?

Thanks again

Julie

Hi Julie - here's a hint, they say plenty of 'salt water mouth washes' - I didn't bother with that! My husband came home with 'Intensity' TIC TACS - trust me, no chemo mouth metalic taste can compete with that - suck them slowly and wait for the 'hot' explosion in your mouth - but at least they make your mouth feel a lot better! x xx Josie

Hi Julie,

With metallic taste is comment, similar to Tonya - Drinkin with a STRAW ... I drink very cold "sugar free" cordia, and iceblocks / juice blocks to keep the water content up.   Apparently drinking with straw avoid your taste bugs and bring water to the back of your mouth.

Use PLASTIC spoons and forks to eat.

Also, towards the last have of chemo, my mouth / eyes gets very dry - so you will need to keep them moist to prevent ulcers and infections.  The chemist can advise products to help.

By the way, re Nausea, here is something that may interest you ..

a. Acupunture was a great help to me during chemo (I also heard the reflexology works for others)

b. travel calm natural tablets.

Hi Julie,

With metallic taste is comment, similar to Tonya - Drinkin with a STRAW ... I drink very cold "sugar free" cordia, and iceblocks / juice blocks to keep the water content up.   Apparently drinking with straw avoid your taste bugs and bring water to the back of your mouth.

Use PLASTIC spoons and forks to eat.

Also, towards the last have of chemo, my mouth / eyes gets very dry - so you will need to keep them moist to prevent ulcers and infections.  The chemist can advise products to help.

By the way, re Nausea, here is something that may interest you ..

a. Acupunture was a great help to me during chemo (I also heard the reflexology works for others)

b. travel calm natural tablets.

I couldn't drink water but for some reason,I could drink lemon cordial.I also liked lemonade iceblocks.Vegie soup and crackers were ok too,not much else though.It's awful isn't it.I felt like my mouth was lined in fur.

                                     Tonya xx