Metallic/grapefruit taste - why is this?

[Hanify]

This is a new thing for me.  I used to get this horrible taste in my mouth when I did conventional chemo, but I haven't had it since.  Just lately I keep getting this really bitter grapefruity taste in my mouth.  Anyone know what causes it, and whether I should be concerned?

[jbeany]

I call it metal mouth - to me, it tastes like I'm chewing on copper pennies.  I got it really bad before I started dialysis - it was the build up of toxins.  I also get it when my graft is narrowing and I have to run at a lower pump speed.  It's a sign of inadequate dialysis.

If your clearances and lab results are good, though - there are other causes.  Have you started any new meds?

[Hanify]

No.  Had a stint in hospital last week though and did manual pd instead of cycler, so it may just be a bit less dialysis thatn usual is causing it.  Thanks for that.

[monrein]

To me it always tasted like drinking  ammonia from a metal cup (with a few pennies thrown in for good measure jbeany).