I've had RA and lupus since I was 25. Managed it well. I'm a ob/er nurse and worked 3 to 4 12 hr shifts until Sept 2016. A few yrs prior my Dr found a heart mumur. The cardio Dr watched it until after having a heart Cath sept 29. Surgery was decided upon to replace a genetic issue /or related to the autoimmune disorders I had...my aortic valve was replaced with a mechanical one Nov 11 2016. Prior to the surgery i had to have some dental work completed so there w ould be no issues. I was on antibiotics from Oct 2016 Until June 2017. After my open heart surgery i had lots of complications...picc lines. Multi hospital stays. Chest reopened, debreedment, osteomylitis in sternum, infection in leg in 2 places, on 15 meds in am 10 at night. During this all, I've lost my taste. At first is was a salty taste. Now it's nothing. Everything I try to eat has zero taste. I've lost 20lbs. I have no desire to eat. Could the surgery or the long term antibiotics be the cause?