Triple TX Side Effect

[BoceprevirGal]

With the addition of the Victrelis, I immediately tasted a bitter taste in my mouth. My Doctor called it "dysguesia". Well, at the same time, I began to have a heightened sense of smell. It started with me not liking the way my teeth were tasting (tooth decay), but now I cant stand any stinky smells, and I just moved into a new rental, right before treatment. Now the smell of this old wall to wall carpet is bothering me, but I am waiting for a really hot day, to steam clean it.
    I'm wondering if this is a sx from the meds, or from my liver being taxed, has anyone been over-sensitive to odors?

[micheall]

I also used the biotene mouth wash during the day and biotene spray at night to produce saliva.One member in the past suggested yogurt every other day to neutralize the bacteria.This worked for me.My senses were different,especially hearing and taste.I recovered after tx.I brushed my teeth daily before bed.I would suggest baking powder on your carpet then vacuum.

[80mecheng]

I finish 3X with Vic last Thursday and spent the entire time with food tasting terrible especially anything with salt or a little spicy.  Had to change tooth paste because the whitening agent "burned" my mouth.  I ended up eating some bland foods, yogart, baked potato, lots of bananas and frankly dreaming of places to go eat when I finished (watched a lot of food channel).  I am 72 hrs past my last pills and starting to get a little taste back but not a lot yet.  One side benefit is I lost some of the weight I needed to lose.  

[Dee1956]

Hi again, Advocate thank you for the explanation.  Bo, at one point my body was not producing an saliva at all, I was using the Biotene as well and it did seem to help as did gum chewing and sour candy etc.
The sense of smell was really bad, so bad in fact that I started throwing things out that smelled really bad.  I felt like I had the sense of a dog or a cat
It does get better

[BoceprevirGal]

Thanks, people, I also like the Biotene mouth-wash, but then get sick of it, and switch to another. I also have a few varietys of toothpaste, none of them sweet. I have slacked on the house-work, and will have to train my sons to do chores, and reward with allowances

[Idyllic]

I have not had any salivary or oral-related problems but trash smells totally nauseate me ~ really it is any kind of food. Some smells actually should bother me if you think about it however. I mean I know my house must smell like a kennel which is pretty rank and probably very obvious to a non-dog people. I have huge outdoor dogs I have had to keep inside due to work on the property. Then there is a giant heap of laundry that. . . oh: don't get me started.

Hope all this works out for you and either fades or minimizes over time.

[Advocate1955]

I would also recommend the Biotene products (mouthwash, toothpaste, lozenges, etc.).  I think the medications change the productivity of the salivary glands, which changes the environment in your mouth.  This can lead to gum and tooth problems as well as changes in perception of taste.  I'm not sure how that ties to the changes in perception of smell, but enough people have posted about it that I'm sure it must.  Even though my husband uses all of the Biotene products, he ended up with a surprise crown and a surprise extraction a month or two ago.
Advocate1955

[brianmo]

Yes, I got the bad taste and smell after adding Vic also. Biotene has helped with taste and it rollercosters. Lately, everything has been tasting like fat. Its weird but tomorrow is my last day and I can't wait to have a decent tasting cup of coffee!!  Hang in there....

[LookingForward12]

Hey Bo - I also had the heightened sense of smell. I couldn't walk near the trash can in the kitchen at all without getting nauseous. Anything that had the slightest odor was magnified.  I sort of attributed that to the interferon because it would be worse for the first three or four days after my shot. I may be wrong about the cause....it may be from the PI. At any rate, although still there, it isn't nearly as bad now as it was in the beginning of treatment. In fact, it only pops up every now and again.

As far as the bad taste in the mouth,mthat is definitely attributed to Victrelis as one of its worst side effects. We inciveks get the rash....you get the days guess. A trade off I guess.  I, too, read that sour candy would help with that.

[Dee1956]

Hi, yes I was on another DAA which was the Incivek and when I finished it my sense of smell was very heightened, it was awful.  It does go away however can take some time.  Others have posted about the taste and said that the sour candy helped with that.  It is difficult though.  Not sure if it is connected to something in the brain or what.  
Good luck to you
Dee

[crigger]

I am on incivek but I have noticed a metal taste and sometimes in taste like blood. This winter I could not have a fire in the fire place because the smell brothered me. I usally like the smell of a fire.   I brush my teeth a lot and use biotene.  Good luck