DEAR DOCTORS: I'm getting chemotherapy for breast cancer. I expected the nausea and exhaustion, but I didn't know food would start to taste metallic and just plain weird. Some days all I want are potato chips, which still taste OK to me. I'm never hungry, so it's hard to eat. What can I do?
DEAR READER: There's no question that chemotherapy can be a rough road. And while most people are aware of side effects such as nausea and exhaustion, these are not the only challenges that patients face. Poor appetite and even a complete loss of appetite are common side effects. Up to half of patients experience changes to their sense of taste, as you have.
