Appetite and "taste in mouth"

[Guest]

I am 6 weeks post AVR and MV repair. I have some lack of appetite, but what bothers me the most is that soon after eating....anything, anytime....I have a strange kind of taste in my mouth....not really bad and not really terribly strong....but annoying...and then I go to find something to eat to get rid of it and the cycle starts again. I have tried gum and mints...both fine as long as they are in my mouth but no lasting effect. Has anyone experienced this or have a suggestion?

Pat

 

[catwoman]

Yup, I had the same. The only thing that tasted OK was fruit -- cantaloupe, fresh pineapple and watermelon. Carbonated drinks were nauseating.
I think I had thrush while I was in the hospital. My tongue felt funny and food was horrible, so I trudged out of bed to look in the mirror and my tongue was totally white. I didn't say anything to my nurses or doctor; should have. It could have explained some of my taste problem.

Many people do have problems with food not tasting right post-op. Some of it is due to all the Rxes we get post-op, the anesthesia, etc. I lost about 25 pounds within 3-4 weeks.

Since my surgery, I can't drink water plain. I have to doctor it up with lemon or lime -- not just one slice, but a bowl full of them -- and some Splenda or Sweet N Low. It has to have a taste for me to drink it.

You may want to ask one of your doctors -- call your surgeon's office about post-op side effects.

 

[Freddie]

Oh I remember that well. Wondering when will I be able to taste food again. So many times I brushed my teeth/tongue thinking that would help, even used mouth wash to try to bring back the taste buds.

Everyone is different regarding this matter, but I think it took me a good 2 months.

Marsha is right. Give your doctor a call and see what they say.

 

[Philip B]

Taste

Taste

Yes indeed, the chemicals and/or drugs you get with OHS do cause problems with your sense of taste. After my AVR surgery, food didn't taste good for months. I really had to force myself to eat because nothing tasted good. Since nothing tasted decent, my appetite disappeared as well.

If you're lucky, your body will get rid of the chemical stuff sooner rather than later and things will get back to normal.

-Philip

 

[BlindFaith]

My father had his 4th OHS 2 years ago and he still has the same issue. He did not have this problem the first 3 times and I did not have the problem myself. Although it got somewhat better over time... he feels now that it is it what it is. He is now 82.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Another possibility is GERD (GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease) where stomach acid comes up into the esophagus, usually due to a weak esophageal sphincter valve. You may want to talk with a GastroEnterologist (GI) Doc.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[james]

I am sure that it is the pills. Do you notice horrid morning breath too?

 

[Doug]

I definitely had issues with taste and still do to some extent. My system is still messed up with the different meds and I am sure that influences the senses.