[archer14]

Loss of taste - multiple myeloma with hemodialysis

by archer14 on Sat Mar 30, 2013 12:26 pm

Started on hemodialysis 7/2012; diagnosed with multiple myeloma during work up for kidney transplants in 10/12; excellent result with first cycle - partial remission now on 3rd cycle of VCD and hemodiaysis 3x/wk; During extremely well and ??? discussing SCT

Concern....no taste for foods period...this is the worst, especially since I am a Gourmet Cook...love, love to cook

QUESTION ...Any help on how to enhance taste buds or increase taste for foods?
Have tried unique spices, B-complex vitamins; was told once started Hemodialysis taste would come back. Bottomline...still can't taste foods/flavors in foods..

any suggestion/treatment my Myeloma Beacon wessite Family???


Bennie

[Mary Degenkolb]

Re: Loss of taste - multiple myeloma with hemodialysis

by Mary Degenkolb on Sat Mar 30, 2013 6:01 pm

I have been on Revlimid 15 mg maintenance for 5 rounds. I lost my sense of smell and taste. It must either be strong sweet, salty or I could not taste it. Now after 5 rounds, my sense of taste is starting to come back. I can smell some things but not all. I take a viatimin B complex for the neuropathy and when I take that my sense of taste started to come back. So don't give up, but it will return slowly. I lost approximately 15 pounds over the course of the past two months due to the lack of taste. I needed to loose the weight, so no complaints. I to am a foodie and it was no fun to not be able to savor food. But it will get better. Let your doctor know, since the sense of smell is what dictates the taste of food, make sure you don't have a sinus problem! Be strong and remember, "we have Multiple Myeloma, but it doe not have us!"
Mary Dee

[TerryH]

Re: Loss of taste - multiple myeloma with hemodialysis

by TerryH on Sat Mar 30, 2013 6:07 pm

Hi Bennie,

I think it's probably the Cytoxan [cyclophosphamide] that is part of your treatment regimen that is causing your problems. From what I've read, it can mess around with your sense of taste. I believe dex also can have that effect.

I've also read that the effect of the treatment on your taste should more or less go away when the treatment ends. So there's still hope that you'll get your sense of taste back!

In the meantime, you may want to try different foods that you're accustomed to, or cold foods instead of hot foods, and, as you've said, new spices. You may find that foods you don't normally eat still have some of their taste.

You also may want to check to see whether you have an infection in your mouth that might be affecting your sense of taste. A dentist may be able to help you determine if you have a mouth infection.

[Eric Hofacket]

Re: Loss of taste - multiple myeloma with hemodialysis

by Eric Hofacket on Mon Apr 01, 2013 12:53 am

Velcade caused me to lose my sense of taste. Pizza tasted like cardboard. After stopping Velcade my since of taste eventually came back.