Changes in tastebuds and itchy

Okay, the bad taste from the VIC is almost unbearable now.  It is a heavy metallic taste that lurks on the roof of my mouth and my esophagus.  I am approaching week 19.  Now I am also noticing that certain foods are beginning to taste different and nasty.  Mainly sweet stuff.  Tried to eat a fresh cantelope the other day but had to throw it away because I could not stand the taste nor smell, even though it looked fine.  Tried to eat a cinnamin bun flavored type of protein bar and nearly gaged at the taste, even though it smelled yummy (sigh).  Is this how everyone is losing weight??  Usually, just the act of eating something would diminish the bad taste.  I have tried Big Red Gum; cinnamin flavored anything; mints; ginger chews.  Some days, the blasted nasty taste will not go away.  What do you do??

Also, since my RIBA increase, I have been itchy, itchy.  Surely nothing like the INC itch, but I totally sympathize and understand how it can drive you nuts and make you super cranky.  Very frustrating.  And yes, between the bad taste and the itch, I'm a cranky daggone camper these days!!  Gurrrr.....

[eureka254]

When my husband started treatment, the nurse gave him a list of to-do's in the event of metallic taste (what I can remember of it, anyway, can't find the list from 3 years ago now):

Use plastic instead of metal utensils.
Lozenge with sour lemon drops (sugar free) or bittersweet chocolate.
Eat food at warm or room temp (hot or cold heightens the metal taste).
Drink ginger ale or cranberry juice with meals.

In regards to the itching, Benadryl worked pretty good for the mild itches, but it got bad and hubby's doc prescribed him Atarax, which worked like a dream for him... otherwise, he wouldn't have had any skin left with all the scratching he was doing!  Hope that helps, bee. ~eureka

[beeblessed]

and......I think one of the worse places to itch is on my scalp.  I totally understand  wanting to cut off all your hair.

[JasmineT]

I read somewhere to try something tart for the taste.  I drank a zero water now and then and think it helped a little.

My tastes changed over time, some changed, back and new dislikes came.  Very strange. Now not interested in food much at all so tring to find new recipes I think I can tolerate.

On incivek I controlled the itch with lotion, does not work on the scalp which was burning and itching severely.  I moisturizer my scalp with coconut oil for a fee hours now and then before shampooing it out.  Just minor itching now on SOC.

[beeblessed]

Thanks Jasmine :)  I had my share of Hot Tamales candy, LemonHeads, SweetTarts (my dentist is gonna love me).  But they have all stopped helping and now it's really awful.  I hope it's not giving me dragon breath.  I put mayonaisse and olive oil in my hair, for deep conditioning.  Felt better for about a day I think.

[crossroadsec]

Everything tastes weird. But I keep eating! Certain face foods gag me. And you should see me trying to scratch my head w this wig on! Lol
I went to restroom today n it was all amulets! I looked crazy! I use a pencil thru the netting. Gosh I'm lmbo. I'm so sorry we have to go through this. I have scaly spots n steroid cream is hard to apply under what hair I have. Grrr.
Xo Karen :)

[Gracie_Lue]

Oh my gosh it really is the nastiest learking tase in your mouth and it only gets worse! It gives you nasty medacine breath and gets down in your gums and stuff. I've done ALOT of flossing lol. Sweets have been the same way for me just can't do them. Along with the nasty taste in my mouth, everything tasting gross and being sick to my tummy all the time I've lost like fourty pounds. Looking forward to getting rid of this horable taste in my mouth and for things tasting good again! So sorry you're going through this as well. Tx really does give us alot to look forward to when we finish!

I will keep you in my prayers : )

[eureka254]

When my husband started treatment, the nurse gave him a list of to-do's in the event of metallic taste (what I can remember of it, anyway, can't find the list from 3 years ago now):

Use plastic instead of metal utensils.
Lozenge with sour lemon drops (sugar free) or bittersweet chocolate.
Eat food at warm or room temp (hot or cold heightens the metal taste).
Drink ginger ale or cranberry juice with meals.

In regards to the itching, Benadryl worked pretty good for the mild itches, but it got bad and hubby's doc prescribed him Atarax, which worked like a dream for him... otherwise, he wouldn't have had any skin left with all the scratching he was doing!  Hope that helps, bee. ~eureka

[screaming48]

sweets tasted bad and I had and still get mouth ulcers and on my tongue. I havent lost any weight but have been forcing myself to eat even if it kills my mouth and throat. lemon drops did help and just plain water if I could get it down. biotene has helped but I still run around with dragon breath. ick

[screaming48]

oh yeah for the itchies I used the gold bond itch relief powder and had a foot long piece of pvc pipe that I scratched my back with. I have a few scars on my chest because of the rash. later on Benadryl helped.

[brianmo]

Try Biotine mouthwash, it has helped me.  My scalp itching has been awful. I cut my hair last week to a pixie cut, when breakage would happen it would land on my face and ears and drive me crazy.  I have tried every shampoo suggested on this forum, today I tried Paul Mittchell teatree shampoo and it seems to have helped.  I do a half Benadryl when I feel the creepy crawly itches coming on.   Good luck!

[beeblessed]

Hi Eureka ~

You said....
Use plastic instead of metal utensils.
Lozenge with sour lemon drops (sugar free) or bittersweet chocolate.
Eat food at warm or room temp (hot or cold heightens the metal taste).
Drink ginger ale or cranberry juice with meals.

Yep, using plastic.
Have to get some of those lozenges
Hadn't thought about the food temp, but my tx nurse did suggest cold fluids, as room temperature could make me nauseous
Will have to run out tonight and get some ginger ale & cranberry juice!
Allergic to Atarax, hate Benadryl hangover, Allegra OTC makes me ill

Thanks!!

[beeblessed]

Thanks everyone for your input!  It's good (for lack of a better term) that I am not alone in these sides.  But I am pretty cranky today from it.  I wanna spit and scratch, and maybe growl at people I work with too.  I think these are more symptoms of being uncomfortable, than of RIBA rage (which I haven't experienced). Much as I hate Benadryl (1 or even half), I may take one as soon as I get home.  I am thankful to have hair but today, I wanna cut off my ponytail and scratch my scalp!!

[crossroadsec]

Just caught up on this thread. Now I'm really lol. What is an amulet doing on my head!?I meant to type amuck! Meaning - side ways w the right side 2 inches long than the front. Gosh what a wacko life we lead..
I'm gettn plastic. Biotine is awesome. I use the gum for dry mouth when I can find it on sale. Love my home girls. Karen :)

[Advocate1955]

My husband uses biotene mouthwash and spray, plastic utensils, squirts lemon juice in water and on food, and tries different spices on food (e.g.curry or cumin etc.) it will go away after treatment is over. Creepy crawlie skin: atarax and ambien to sleep.
Advocate1955

[beeblessed]

Hi Cyber-people.  Yesterday was just a really bad day and I was no good to be around people.  I also am finding that tx magnifies PMS, as I am typically not this much of a cranky-pants.  Having to work during this has been a challenge but doable and necessary. The most difficult times were trying to work with Anemia, Vertigo and Nausea.  I had no choice but to take off when I needed to.  I took a Benadryl last night and am now in Zombieland.  Still itchy. (highly allergic to Atarax, so that's not an option)  Need to go to a Dermatologist for something else, so I might just need to go sooner than later.  I hate being itchy and scratching like I have fleas.  I will do more Biotene too for the metal mouth.

Thanks for all the advice and tips.  I will be trying some of them and hope it helps.  Best to all of you, Hugs,

Bee

[indy531]

I have metal mouth something bad, also on Vic. My taste buds and sense of smell change daily and drastically. Even water can taste bad-Sprite or 7 Up helps or salty stuff like pretzels. I went to derm for itchies (can't tolerate Atarax also) and Clobestol (sic) gel works best so far for itchies. Most of rash that I've had from day 2 of tx is cleared, but I remain vigilant. Also try probiotic yougurt/dairy and applesauce.

[beeblessed]

Hi Indy.  I've been eating Chobani Greek Yogurt but....have been meaning to get applesauce, so thanks!  I just looked up the Clobestal and am not sure if I can take it, but thank you:
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Clobetasol comes in cream, gel, ointment, and spray for use on the skin and in foam, lotion, and shampoo to apply to the scalp. Clobetasol is used once or twice a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use clobetasol exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Do not use clobetasol for longer than 14 days without your doctor's approval.

Thoroughly clean the affected area, allow it to dry, and then gently rub the medication in until most of it disappears. Use just enough medication to cover the affected area. You should wash your hands after applying the medication. The scalp lotion should be applied directly from the squeeze bottle to the affected area.

Clobetasol can be absorbed into your body if used in large amounts and can cause harmful effects.

[jerialice]

hey bee when i was gong thru all that with SOC, i ended up on zyrtec for the alergy (allergy) symptoms/itching. nothing else worked. so who knows???
hang on how much longer??
jerialice

[beeblessed]

Hi Jerialice.  I am stealing a Zyrtec from work.  Shhhh!  Don't recall how it affected me in the past, so we'll see what happens.  Thanks!  I am in Week #19 and there is a chance I may have to do 48 weeks.  Hopefully not, but things are kinda up in the air at the moment, as I am changing docs.

[frijole]

That is so weird.  I was just thinking today that I have not had the metallic taste for about 2 months.  It was horrid my first couple of months on VIC and everything smelled metallic too. I had to change from conventional deoderent because it smelled so metal (the aluminum) to a health food brand.  I don't think it is as effective, but it doesn't smell.

Now how food tastes -- that is definitely changing.  I am gravitating to bland foods.  Potatos and comfort foods.  Anything spicy tastes bad.  Food with a lot of cheese on it tastes bad.  I used a lot of TicTacs to change the flavor in my mouth at first, now I can hardly stand them.  I do remember the pharmacy nurse mentioning sour lemon and I will have to find some of that.  

I seem to recall something about zinc deficiency being related to the metallic taste.  Anybody heard that?