After starting chemo I lost all taste buds and sense of smell. It has been over 18 months now and they have not returned yet? Anyone else with this problem and what did they do for it? Open to any suggestions. I find it very depressing.

Esther,
We published an article on taste changes during treatment that may help you: A Waste of Taste. However, I would definitely talk to your doctor about it, as most people have their sense of taste return to normal within a few weeks to a couple of months after ending chemo. Eighteen months is a long time to go without a sense of smell or taste and could definitely affect your appetite.

I also lost taste and have all 4 taste buds gone from radiation to neck. I've been to a lot of drs. to try to gain weight and a gastro dr did find that I do have however some of a newly found 5th taste sense called umami. You may want to look up umami foods on the internet and perhaps you could have some benfit trying to perk that taste. My sense of smell has come back though part way and this has helped. It took me 2 years to get the little bit of sense I have back and drs. kept saying it would be back in one year or not at all but it came back at about 2 yrs. All other taste still gone. Makes eating a challenge since it's not enjoyable (it still hurts my throat to eat - I find liquid fish oil soothes that and since the taste is gone I don't taste how nasty everyone tells me it is). It's amazing how our world revolves around eating too!! Hang in there! You can try something I am currently trying - try to find a way of making a meal pleasurable even if it's not about the food that's pleasurable - whatever works for you. For some people that might be soothing music, TV, doing a crossword puzzle while eating, having company for meals, making meals an occasion, reading a book.... whatever it is you enjoy doing - do it while having a meal and it can perk up the food even if taste and smell can't. I'm making it sound easy and it is NOT easy as it sounds. I still struggle daily to get enough calories and protein in to keep the weight on me (4 years out from treatments). I hope you can get some smell and taste sense back and can find some enjoyment from eating!