Cancer Survivors Network

One thing nobody told me was that my when my hair started falling out, my hair would "hurt". It's really hard to explain, but lying on my pillow was painful. Once I had my head buzzed it quit hurting so much. I guess it's the hair follicle that hurts. I've talked to others who experienced this too.
My nails didn't fall off but they got kind rough and bumpy looking and some started turning dark.

This was one of my concerns as I've heard that was a side effect. I brought it up to my oncologist and he said that there are many side effects listed with chemo and if only just one person had something like their nails fall off, it had to be listed as a side effect. He said not to get concerned about all the possibilities and just take one day at a time, especially because my side effects seem to be very minimal at the present time. Reading is good and very informative but at times it can be overwhelming. We have a 'wealth' of information at our fingertips because of the computer but sometimes it's best to draw the line at getting 'too much info'. I am banking on not losing my nails during chemo. I've lost my breast, my hair and my tan to cancer... ENOUGH already! :)

14 days out from chemo #1 Elizarose is right. There is no way to explain the hair failing out deal.. My head was a little tender two days ago. Now it is weird! My hair is falling out even as I sit here. But tomorrow I shave it off to end this madness. My nails are doing great. Probably because like you I was real freaked out when I read a post about nails. I have been putting a vitamin e, sweet almond oil concoction I got from one of those Mall kiosks (a few years ago) where they pull you in to show you how great they can make your nails look. It is working like a dream.

Becky

When I heard I was going to lose my hair,I never imagined all my hair,and I mean all my hair came out.I am talking Private hair.So that was a shock for me.My finger nails are ok.I have noticed that my eye sight is much worse since Chemo.Good luck to you.(Pat).

I'm not having any problems with my nails and no mouth sores. Scalp did hurt during shedding process. My appetite has yet to go away-thats one thing I wish would go. If you have the neulasta shot, you will have bone aches, mostly legs. Good luck next week, it's not too bad getting through it.

I am three months out from Chemo.....and 2 weeks out from rads.....I was told and warned at the beginning about taking extra good care of my nails and toenails.....I had Taxotere/Cytoxan...I used Sally Hansen Triple strenghth....it's in a green bottle....used it faithfully.....my nails sort of "humped up" and turned dark at the base and had lines that move up as the nails grew....probably going to lose one toenail...some of my nails are sore, still, same with the two big toenails.

Good luck!

I didn't lose any nails. They turned a little dark but not much. The nurse or oncologist told me to put nail sealant on them to protect against infection. Ask your doctor or nurse.

I think it depends on the chemo drugs if you lose your nails, I did a clinical trial and lost all of my finger and toe nails. But they have all grown back, toe nails still a little brittle but I got a cream for them from the beauty supply that should help, it did with my finger nails. Now if I can just get my hugh dog to stay off my feet!
Keri

hello...
i had 4 tx's of chemo (taxotere & cytoxan).
**hair started falling 10 days after my 1st chemo.
it hurt a little at firts, like if you have a ponytail
and take it out.
**my face got so red and my head was hot.
after my 2nd tx i took 2 benadril 1 hr prior to my next 2 treatments.
**my nail turned yellow and black color after last treatment.
**my eyebrow and eye lashes started falling after last treatment.
**i couldn't sleep, not even with sleeping pills.
**some smells made me sick.
**weard taste drinking water.
**couldn't drink coffee and diet coke due to caffeine, it made me sick.
**i'm 44 y.o. no period after 2nd treatment and i'm still don't have my period.
dr said i will probably get it back.
**veins colapes...i don't have a port.

i'm currently doing radiation treatment, 5 more to go...

good luck...you can do it...time goes so fast...drink lots of water....

I see nobody has mentioned fake nails...I have had salon nails since 1998! and am not about to quit going there now!
For the last year or so, I have been getting "pink and white" and I am going to continue to do so right thru chemo. No idea how it will turn out but I can let you know.