Has Anyone Else Gone Off of Food?

I am on morphine 24/7 its a weekly patch its not affected my taste buds at all.

Do you know, I was heartened to read your post. I feel exactly the same - there is very little that appeals to me, and I'm eating less and less. (Not losing weight, though) I just don't think about food and would go all day on a couple of biscuits or a snack, if it wasn't for my OH. He spends a lot of time cooking and sometimes I can get through half of a small portion and don't want any more, which upsets him. I don't feel ill (except for a lot of arthritis pain) or that there is anything wrong with me but it is such a contrast with how I used to be - if there were any goodies in the house I couldn't rest until I'd eaten them all now I forget they're even there, it's not down to memory, just no inclination.

www.ehealthme.com/ds/morphine/loss-of-taste/

Loss of taste is it seems a side effect of morphine. Are you taking it by mouth? You might be able to take less if it was by a patch or some other method. Talk to your GP and see if he can come p with something.

NudeJude
It is almost certainly the morphine. The same thing happened to me two years ago when I had a coronary bypass. I felt empty and knew I should eat but the thought of putting food into my mouth made me want to retch.
If you are on morphine permanently then there are some tablets which the doctor can prescribe called Metoclopramide Hydrochloride - I was given these in hospital. Take one before meals and they work wonders even hospital food tasted quite nice and that takes some doing!!!
In any event perhaps you should see your GP as not eating will not help you at all Good luck and take care of yourself. Remember there is only one of you and you matter to a lot of people..

My taste buds have totally changed in the past few years. Most of the things I used to enjoy taste a bit blah now but I can't find anything to replace them (except toffees but I can't eat too many of them).
I used to love salads but now I eat them because I feel that I should.

I've heard of instances of this either medication or thyroid related. Would certainly be worth mentioning to your GP as it seems sudden.

Medication can certainly cause problems with the olfactory system - and sometimes it's nor reversible. However, have you changed your toothpaste over the last year and gone on to a whitening one? If so you might consider changing it because the bleach in the paste causes damage to the taste buds.

Definitely see your GP.

It could well be the morphine. When my husband was having chemo he went through something similar, it was so hard to find anything he would like to eat. Sometimes he would quite fancy something, but then couldn't eat it because the taste wasn't right. Also the smell of some foods really got to him. He is okay again now, more or less.

you may also book a visit to your dentist .. it could have something to do with it .... you could also try to change what you are eating may help . good luck

When my mum was taking various tablets she went off food and complained that food she had previously loved tasted different . Savouries became too sweet and sweet became too salty I attended most of her appointments with her and the consultants said it was an unfortunate side effect to many drugs .

Medication could be an issue. The first week after my knee replacement when I was on some heavy duty painkillers I absolutely couldn't make myself eat. Appetite completely gone.
Its back now -with a vengeance!

Cant eat large portions a childs meal is enough for me, bread is a problem..and I used to love cooking which is now a chore...just want a bit of this and a bit of that .....and just occasionally a bit of........Having to cook a family meal everday is no fun...

I agree nudejude it may be connected to your medication or possibly a low grade infection that's affecting your sense of taste and smell - see your doctor.

Have I gone off my food - sadly no never!!!

Drugs can change your sense of taste, I suffered from this whilst taking chemotherapy and it spoilt mealtimes. Thinking back I believe there was a change in taste even before my diagnosis, as this involved the digestive tract. Could be an early indication of gastric disorder.

Yes, do go and see your doctor. There are serious illnesses for which this can be a precursor.

I do not like sweets or chocolate any more, but a good thing really.whenever ill I cannot drink coffee.
I believe meds really affect us all.

I can happily go without dinner. I haven't enjoyed food for a long time now, as eating usually upsets my tummy and neither the eating nor the sitting are any fun for me. I think my sense of taste has diminished, too.

In restaurants and even at home, I usually push my plate over to DH while it's still half full, as I can't manage any more.

So, no, you are not alone, although I am not on meds like you. Have had my gall bladder out though (back in 2000)

That sounds worth getting checked out by the doctor as there are some conditions that involve changed taste and smell.

On the general subject, I've gone off fish over the past two or three years. I was never a huge fan of it anyway but unless it's bland like cod, I can't face it any more.

About 4 years ago I went off almost everything, and the things I could still eat I could only eat small amounts. As I`m considerably overweight it didn`t do me any harm, and I lost about 2 stone, but it was no fun not enjoying my food, although I loved being told how much slimmer I looked. My appetite`s back now, unfortunately, so is the weight I lost!

Must admit my tastes have changed in the last couple of years. Used to like really spicy food, cannot take that now. Like you I still enjoy a roast but the number of dishes I actually enjoy now is greatly reduced. Did have a virus a couple of months ago and haven't touched bananas or yogurts since then whereas before that I ate them most days. I just thought it was an age thing.

It needs investigating, so do find out from your GP otherwise you will lose a lot of weight.

It's worth discussing with your GP. It happened to me once after a nasty virus infection but came back after a while. Nothing like as long as you though.

I think I might ask a pharmacist if the morphine could trigger the changes, if not perhaps worth a chat with your GP. All seems a bit unusual, if you get to the bottom of it do let us know.

Interesting thought BlueBelle, I haven't stopped smoking, but have been on morphine for a long time, and a while ago did have the dosage increased quite a bit, so it could be that I suppose. Unfortunately if that's the case, there's not going to be a lot I can do about it, as I do need my meds. Oh the joys of getting older!