When will this awful taste in my mouth after tonsillectomy go away?

November 25, 2022 4:26 PM

It’s been 11 days since my tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy and septoplasty. Recovery has been expectedly awful but I’m getting closer to the end, I think. My current concern is that I have a bitter, metallic taste in my mouth all the time that is ruining the ability to enjoy any food now that I can eat. When will my sense of taste return to normal?

My tastebuds seem dulled or something, alongside the metallic bad taste that is killing any joy I can get out of eating food. Googling seems to indicate this is probably common but I’m wondering if anyone can tell me how long to expect this to last (this isn’t permanent, right?), if it should be of more concern, etc.

I’m seeing my doctor again next week for a follow-up but I’m looking for anecdotes and experiences that will hopefully give me some idea of what to expect. Thanks!

posted by rbf1138 to Health & Fitness (8 answers total)

Best answer: Are you or were you taking any antibiotics or other new to you medications?
posted by cobaltnine at 5:15 PM on November 25, 2022 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Yes, agreeing -- in my experience, this is absolutely connected to antibiotics. Are you taking them?
posted by BlahLaLa at 5:21 PM on November 25, 2022 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Re: antibiotics, yep, been on Cephalexin from 5 days before surgery until the last pill today. 3 weeks of 3 pills a day.

I was on hydrocodone for the first 4 days then moved over to Tylenol since.
posted by rbf1138 at 5:24 PM on November 25, 2022

After major abdominal surgery, I developed ileus and needed an NG tube. After it was removed and for days after discharge, I had a similar experience with taste. It was miserable. After a google search, my husband brought home a saline nasal spray. Within 24 hours, all the horrible taste had gone and food tasted great again. It felt miraculous! If you think that’s worth a try, please do check with your medical team if it’s safe for you to use a nasal spray. Good luck! I know the misery and hope it’s resolved soon.
posted by MissyMonster at 5:58 PM on November 25, 2022

Best answer: Yep, metallic taste with cephalexin is pretty common. It should go away soon after you stop taking it.
posted by away for regrooving at 7:08 PM on November 25, 2022 [2 favorites]

Hi! Dietitian here, and while IANYRD and I can't attest to when exactly the taste will go away (bodies are complicated), I can give you some tips for making eating less awful.

Typically this WILL go away, and is often related to some of the surgery/meds you were given. It's called dysgeusia, and for a metallic taste we often recommend trying citrus flavors to counterbalance them. Some people also do well with sweet to balance it.

Wishing you a speedy resolution!
posted by OhHaieThere at 7:34 PM on November 25, 2022 [3 favorites]

I don't know when things will get back to normal, but I can confirm that when I had a tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy I had the same thing and it DID eventually go away. Hang in there!!
posted by branca at 6:32 AM on November 26, 2022

Yogurt to restore some bacterial balance from antibiotic use. It will protect you from yeast overgrowth. You can make warm, saltwater gargle with salt and water. My old doc recommended a tiny amount of alcohol in it, that is ethanol, like vodka, or some such, this is like a half teaspoon to a cup of salty water. Not rubbing alcohol, right? Alcohol you would drink in minute quantity added to saline used for saline rinse of sinuses or gargling. Warm citrusy tea with honey is also a winner. But mostly stay hydrated, the last thing you want is those surgical sites to dry out.
posted by Oyéah at 6:30 PM on November 26, 2022