What could cause a person to taste metal, and become nauseous, every time they drink water?

Question

A friend of mine says he hates drinking water because he can taste the metal in it, and it makes him want to throw up. He drank from water filtered by a Brita filter, and still tasted metal in it. He became nauseous and a bit of ice cream seemed to ease his stomach. I asked if he had the same problem from spring water, he said he didn't know... He's complained of this problem before, when he cannot afford pop or other flavoured drinks. I thought he was just being picky, but tonight when he became nauseous (after drinking Brita filtered water) he really WAS sick (nauseous)... He said the water wasn't sitting in his stomach right, his stomach was churning... Earlier he has said the water was sitting in his chest? (you know, that feeling that something hasn't gone down all the way and is sitting in your chest/ throat?) I am wondering what could cause this problem? Is it a problem with the city's water? A Brita filter should have gotten rid of the metallic taste, right? Or could it be something else? For instance, he is a diabetic. But he says he tastes metal when he drinks water, not all the time... so what could the problem be? I appreciate any ideas/ help/ advice you all can give. Thanx.

Answer 1

I am diabetic, and I have a similar problem.

The reason is because my kidneys are failing.  fact is, I can almost tell you on an hour-by-hour basis how well my kidnesy are (or are not . . .) working by teh strange tests and smells I experience.

Is your friend having any problems with other things that don't "taste right", like bread or meat?  Does he think he smells strange things, especially urine, chlorine, or cigarette smoke?

You friend should visit his doctor and tell the doctor about the problem. Also tell about any other "funny tastes" or smells.   The doctor may want to do the necessary blood tests to check his kidney functions.

BTW: Brita filters will not get rid of all unpleasant tastes.  AND  most "bottled spring water" just comes from the faucet in another city, and is filtered before being bottled.  Fact is, there are very few "spring waters" that actually come from a spring . . .

Answer 2

Tell him to try distilled water.  If he still gets the same result, tell him to consult his physician as soon as he can.  There may be an underlying problem.

Answer 3

is it all water, I can't drink the tap water in a certain area of the state, either can my mom