Taste Buds Are Shot

I had seen some comments recently from individuals that are receiving Peg/Copeg treatment and from those in any of the three Prove trials, that have mentioned significant cheanges in their taste for coffee, etc. Some have mentioned the sudden change of perhaps three cups a day to possibly one or none.

As a previous non-responder (treatment experienced - more PC!) to SOC from 4-years ago, I don't recall my taste buds being significantly affected. They may have been and I just don't recall. Currently, I'm in my 8th week of a Prove 3 trial. What is amazing is that I have (temporarily I hope) lost the ability to smell or taste. For lack of a better description, my mouth feels like the bottom of a bird cage. My appetite has diminished a little, but I think it's related primarily to the fact that food has not been nearly as appealing due to the lack of taste.

Now, this is where it gets downright sad and scary. I cannot even taste the wonderful flavors of chocolate. The chewiness and consistency is still appealing - but the taste is gone!

I have attempted to resolve the issue by brushing my teeth six times a day. I even brush my tongue. I use Crest Pro-Health mouthwash (no, I'm promoting a product), all to no avail.

I read that interferon can affect your taste. Does this mean that it is a temporary neurological cause that no quantity of flavored gums or Jolly Ranchers will help?

Just thought I throw this up for discussion and see if any of you have experienced a similar experience, and if you have found things that have helped you recover your taste (aside from quiting treatment).

I want to taste See's dark chocolate nuts and chews again!

[BRL]

google pegasys and taste buds you will find your answer.
People post tx have this for awhile also.

[NYgirl]

Sadly to say I had no taste buds for 72 weeks.  I developed the mouth sores from the interferon and on top of that - everything tasted like medicine.

Fortunately, being so dry all the time (which I think is what causes the tongue sores to begin with) ice cream became a great great friend! Especially stuff like Ben and Jerry's because it had different textures and chunks to munch on.  That never seemed to taste bad to me.

But for over a year and a half I couldn't eat anything spicy...no more wings or anything. That was torture. Still now five months post I'm just working on getting my taste buds back up to normal...it's fun work :)

Good luck VXman.

[brown_eyed_grl]

Did you lose weight NY girl?

[lackalustre]

one of the best things about stopping treatment is food tasting good again.  you will get there....

[orphanedhawk]

  I went from eating hot curries to as bland as possible to where I'm going to cry because I love food. My dosage was reduced and my taste buds began to return. I can't wait until its over and I can get extra eat chilis again.

[nygirl7]

I started out tall and skinny (5'7, 120) and then lost 20 pounds pronto and looked freakish - it was just lovely LOL.

However, after an eating frenzy when I finally got the buds back (and my thyroid switched from hyper to hypo) I gainned it all back PLUS extra (which now I'm fighting OFF but found out that people think I look much better anyway).

I honestly think at first we loose a bunch of weight from the absolute dehydration that we go through - so remember you can count that into the mix and once we aren't so dehydrated anymore.....it DOES come right back in.

[cajunlady]

When I lost the taste of foods it was bad.  I am cajun and love my good old fashion dishes.  When I did eat it was horrible.  

ONE SUGGESTION:  I stopped using medal utensils and starte to use plastic forks and spoons. It did not cure ALL, but not having the medal taste in my mouth anymore helps somewhat with the way things tasted. Not perfect, but not as bad either.  

Did not take too long to get all back to normal post tx.

Good Luck,
Cajun

[meki]

I don't know if this has any correlation... but when I saw your topic I went... Hmmmmm...

OK check this out.

I believe that when I got pregnant - I had to take a shot of RHOGAM. (it's a gamma globulin drug ---- I'm B- and hubby is A+  ---- anyhow - I almost lost my daughter, during the first 3 months... the rhogam saved her.)

But I think that I also contracted HCV from the Rhogam.

OK - sooo keep following here....

My sense of taste and my sense of smell heightened to amazing levels. To the point I have been looking at my allergist for answers - contacted Monell Institute - and more.

My sense of smell never went away --- my tastebuds rebounded a little bit.

I could walk into the ladies room and tell if someone who had just urinated recently was ill --- or if they had alcohol recently ---- or if they were menstruating. The smell of my husband bothered me... Coffee smelled good - CHICKEN tasted AWFUL... I mean --- horrid. Things were amplified to the nth degree - and it was frustrating. I couldn't go into crowded spaces with people - because they SMELLED awful. (Ok --- not everyone... but a few... were horrid.)

Food was blah... but some things, breads - oniony things - italian tomato things - mexican foods --- steaks all good. But everything else and chicken - ick.

OK - so during treatment, about 3 months in, I noticed my sniffer wasn't working as well - nor were my tastebuds.

Which is a blessing for me.

So I'm wondering... I'm wondering if you're quite right.

Last night I had chicken winges --- expecting that bitter gamey ick flavor they've had for the last 10 or so years... But it was GOOD!

And juicey. And flavorful, with just a little salt.

I thought about that last night - and I realized my nose isn't sniffing things as well either.

And reading your post - I thought... Hmmmm... I wonder if HCV causes you to have heightened senses --- like Nature's way of protecting you naturally - or something.

Or - the other way around.

Yanno?

Just some jotted thoughts. I dunno if they make sense - but I thought I'd give you some input from me.

4 months post tx (SVR according to doc) and I'm starting to enjoy food tastes --- and the smell of my hubby. LOL!

Interesting.

Meki