Dr. Hive....dd10 is saying she can't taste anything sweet.

[5LittleMonkeys]

She has had this for about 2 weeks now and it is driving ME crazy because she won't eat many foods she normally always has; when she does eat she complains that things taste funny. It's upsetting enough to her that she started crying this morning because I made applesauce muffins and she said she couldn't have any due to them tasting odd.

 

She says the taste of fruit is bad (which is obviously the biggest issue since a large part of her diet was fruit), sweet baked goods, jelly, peanut butter, cereals (we don't do the super sweet ones)...basically anything with any sweetness to it.

 

She was on antibiotics about 3 weeks ago due to a bladder infection...but, she's been on those antibiotics before with no adverse affect.

 

Is anyone familiar with anything like this?

[Dandelion]

It could be the antibiotics. Here's a link to an article that provides a brief overview of how antibiotics and other medications can lead to taste disturbances. If her loss of taste was due to the antibiotics, it should resolve on its own in a few weeks. You could try giving her some high quality probiotics (in yogurt or supplements) to restore her system.

 

If her sense of taste isn't back to normal in a month, I would take her to the doctor to find out what's causing the issue.

[DianeW88]

It could be a side effect from the antibiotics. Which one was she taking? Does she have any nasal allergies? If she's having post-nasal drip or sinus problems, her tongue may be coated, making it difficult for her to taste things. And then, unfortunately, there are people who for whatever reason, simply lose their sense of taste. There isn't anything a doctor can do, usually. It either comes back on its own, or it doesn't. My FIL hasn't had a decent sense of taste for over 20 years. If it continues, you might check with your doctor to make sure she doesn't have a sinus infection (which can give you a nasty metallic taste in your mouth and ruin your ability to taste anything else) or tonsil stones, which can also mess up your sense of taste.

[mommymilkies]

It could be she has an inner ear infection or some congestion in that area (lymph nodes, etc.). My ear surgery barely touched that area, but it severely affected my sense of taste for months. It's possible it could be from an infection in the area or just lymph inflammation. Abx seem like the culprit, but if not, I would check into it.

[5LittleMonkeys]

I can't remember the name of the antibiotic. Are there certain ones that may be more likely to cause this situation?

 

She has no symptoms of sinus, ear, or throat infection. No visible signs of lymph node inflammation, nor can I feel that any are swollen. Of coarse, I know that I would have to take her to the doctor to confirm or rule out anything for sure.

 

I suppose if it doesn't improve in the next two weeks or so I will take her in to the doctor.

[Belacqua]

I know how weird this sounds, but if you rule out the antibiotics...has she eaten a lot of pine nuts lately? Sometimes pine nuts can cause a bitter taste that lasts a few weeks, and nobody seems entirely sure why. Probably not what's going on with your daughter, but I thought I'd toss it out there.

 

Hope she gets her sweet back soon!

[5LittleMonkeys]

Nope, no pine nuts.

 

On the plus side she's eating more protein and vegetables. Maybe I should try to loose my taste for sweet too! :p

[Joker]

I was sick almost a year ago and have yet to regain normal taste and smell. I had the flu and then a sinus infection. I can't remember the name of my antibiotic. I've been to more than one specialist (and had a CT scan). They all say they've seen it several times and it should come back but may not be normal. Most things taste very bad to me right now.

[gardenmom5]

repeated antibiotic use can totally throw the system off kilter. it kills good bacteria along with the bad. yeast overgrowth is common. I would suggest start giving her some probiotics to help restore her balance. if you chose to do yogurt, do greek yogurt as it doesn't have all the additives of most commerical yogurt. (you can also make it yourself.)

does she have a sinus infection? that can also change the way things taste.

[5LittleMonkeys]

Thanks everyone. I will start her on some Greek Yogurt and see if that helps.