Tastebuds on Victrelis

Okay, I give up.  I have been having the metallic taste from VIC, on and off.  But now, in week 10, it is pretty constant.  I tried to eat pancakes w/syrup one day, and they just did not taste the same.  I could no longer eat them.  Wish I could say I've lost weight because of this, but noooooo....dangit.  LOL :)   I have tried Big Red Gum, which helped, but I can't seem to find anymore in the store.  Hot Tamales candies worked well until this week (and my teeth kinda hurt now).  Food used to help too but now, the taste of the VIC just sits there like a bad aftertaste.  Peppermints aren't helping anymore either.  Any suggestions??  Anyone?  =(

[JasmineT]

I am on incivek and the taste is horrible.  I hope it's the pi and not the soc drugs we have in common but am thinking it may be the interferon.  I can't eat any of the things blessedbes mentioned.  Mildly hot food puts me over the top now and sugar makes me sick.  Two seconds into a butteracotch candy and my system goes into shock, peppermint would just add fire.  The ginger ale and pure gum might be ok though.

This site suggests tart things like lemonade and oj.  http://www.qualityhealthresources.com/Interferons_Physical_Side_Effects.php

This one adds a few more ideas like pickles and pineapple hide. http://www.hepatitis.va.gov/patient/treat/side-effects-single-page.asp

[indy531]

I'm on Vic also -wk 8 tx and I'm experiencing the same as you are, except I now have thrush (yes, it can get worse). I find ginger ale helps, even when fresh water tastes metallic and unpleasant. Pure Gum by Dentyne also has given me temporary relief. It doesn't help thenausea and I too cannot enjoy eating comfort foods I once loved. It's pretty much simple soups and grilled cheese. I'm using Biotene paste and mouth rinse and that helps to a degree-are you also having dry mouth?

[JasmineT]

I am on incivek and the taste is horrible.  I hope it's the pi and not the soc drugs we have in common but am thinking it may be the interferon.  I can't eat any of the things blessedbes mentioned.  Mildly hot food puts me over the top now and sugar makes me sick.  Two seconds into a butteracotch candy and my system goes into shock, peppermint would just add fire.  The ginger ale and pure gum might be ok though.

This site suggests tart things like lemonade and oj.  http://www.qualityhealthresources.com/Interferons_Physical_Side_Effects.php

This one adds a few more ideas like pickles and pineapple hide. http://www.hepatitis.va.gov/patient/treat/side-effects-single-page.asp

[sandysf]

Rinsing and brushing several times a day with Biotene paste and mouthwash helped me alot.  Eventually that sx went away.. hope it does for you too!

[frijole]

Bee, are you sure you are flooding out those pills with enough water?  I have a hard time early in the morning and late at night, but I am trying to drink as much water as I can choke down.  It seems to help when I do.  I think if you don't use enough water that taste creeps up the throat.  Once I dropped several pills on the kitchen counter and they got wet and the protective coating got some holes in it.  That powder is the nastiest thing I ever tasted!

I do know what you mean.  I can brush my teeth, go into the kitchen and take my VIC and it tastes like I never brushed my teeth.  My taste buds are changing and spicy food doesn't taste good any more. (I think that is more than the VIC - probably the INF)

Bee, if your teeth hurt you probably need to get them cleaned.  The interferon does dry up the saliva and it is the saliva that is antibiotic.  You can start getting a lot of infections and decay if you let it go.  I know several members here who have had significant teeth issues by the time treatment was over.  I suck on a lot of tic tacs.  Biotene is supposed to work good.  I have tried it in the past and don't like the taste  but I may go buy some anyway.

Last treatment I told my dentist I was treating and he was very conscientious to make sure my teeth were in good shape throughout tx.

[nygirl7]

I never took the Vic and had the same problem so I'm thinking it's more the IFN probably.

[sandysf]

Depending on where your ANC is, I wouldn't get teeth cleaned during tx.  My doc and a hematologist I saw for awhile recommended against it unless an emergency.  

[beeblessed]

Indy -- Ginger Ale, oddly enough, made me nauseaus.  I will try that Pure Gum.  Already doing the Biotene rinse.  You might wanna try Zofran for the nausea.

Jasmine -- Oh yes yes, forgot about the tart things.  Thanks.  I will take a look at the links at lunchtime.  Thanks!

Sandy & Frijole -- Thanks.  I am doing Biotene but maybe I should use it more often.  Wondered about going to the dentist during tx, because it is time for a check up/cleaning anyway.  Just not sure I can/should sit through that right now.  And yes -- I am drinking 8 glasses of water every day (well okay, most days).

NYgirl7 -- Oh, good to know.  I would not have put that together but you're probably right, since we are on different PI's.  Thanks :)

Back to work.  Thanks again everyone!

[indy531]

I'm downing a minimum of 70+oz of water a day and my back teeth are floating-still tastes bad.-Gonna go rinse now.

[Advocate1955]

My husband hasn't had that side effect yet on the triple therapy (Inc), but he did with his previous two treatemnts (#1-Int and Riba; #2-daily Infergen and Riba).  He ate using plastic utensils instead of metal utensils, and this seemed to help.
Advocate 1955

[rockymoe]

I find taking the Vic with warm water helps. Also on those days I just can't get rid of it I have a couple slices of sharp ceese on roasted garlic triscuits help. I'm sure my breath could kill but it helps me LOL! I am really neauseaous and I have no taste, my tongue feels raw. I choke down a 100 oz of fluid a day. I am taking Marinol for the nausea. I hear you about the weight, my husbad says if I ate like you I'd drop 20lbs. I may have lost 5.

[beeblessed]

Advocate 1955 -- Oh yes, I am stocked up on the plasticware.  Thanks!

Rockymoe -- LOL!  Thanks

Indy -- Don't float away :)