Fingernails, Again...

Options
Mothercrone
Mothercrone Member Posts: 28
in Breast Cancer #1
I know the board has talked about fingernail side effects in the past, and I've tried to read all the topics but I'm wondering...

For those of you who's fingernails turned black, bled and fell off, how did you handle that?

That's where I am right now. The nails have not fallen off yet but they are loose and naturally I've stubbed them a few times.

Sometimes I bandage the fingers but mostly I wear those cheap latex fitted surgery gloves to stave off infections and minimize the sheer ugliness of it all, especially in public. Nail polish is no longer an option.

I did much better going bald as I was totally expecting that. The Taxotere Disgusto Nails came as a complete surprise and I'm not dealing with that very well, only because my fingers are there for me to see and use every moment.

Very self-conscious of my fingers and, in fact, they make me quite ill just to look at them.
I know it's only temporary but I'm still in treatment.

Any ideas? Thanks for your suggestions.


pat
♥

Comments

  • jessiesmom1
    jessiesmom1 Member Posts: 915 Member
    #2
    Options
    Taxotere Disgusto Nails
    Hi Pat,

    I love your name for the fingernail issues caused by Taxotere. I had 4 rounds of A/C and 12 rounds of Taxotere and lost 8 fingernails and 2 toenails in the process. It was fascinating is a gross sort of way. As long as the nails were just black/purple and still attached to the nail bed I felt there was really nothing I could do except look at them in disgust. Once the started lifting up off the nail bed and catching on things I very carefully cut them all the way back to the cuticle and just got rid of them. While the very tips of the fingers were a bit sensitive it was not at all painful. It was certainly much better looking. Most people would not even notice the lack of fingernails unless I specifically pointed it out to them. It has now been 8 months since my last chemo infusion. I got my first post-chemo manicure last week. My thumbnails still are ridged but all the nails are a normal color. Hope this has been of some help to you. IRENE
  • Mothercrone
    Mothercrone Member Posts: 28
    #3
    Options
    jessiesmom1 said:

    Taxotere Disgusto Nails
    Hi Pat,

    I love your name for the fingernail issues caused by Taxotere. I had 4 rounds of A/C and 12 rounds of Taxotere and lost 8 fingernails and 2 toenails in the process. It was fascinating is a gross sort of way. As long as the nails were just black/purple and still attached to the nail bed I felt there was really nothing I could do except look at them in disgust. Once the started lifting up off the nail bed and catching on things I very carefully cut them all the way back to the cuticle and just got rid of them. While the very tips of the fingers were a bit sensitive it was not at all painful. It was certainly much better looking. Most people would not even notice the lack of fingernails unless I specifically pointed it out to them. It has now been 8 months since my last chemo infusion. I got my first post-chemo manicure last week. My thumbnails still are ridged but all the nails are a normal color. Hope this has been of some help to you. IRENE

    Thanks, Irene
    Thanks so much, Irene.

    At this point, the nails are a little loose but lifted off the spongy nail base. Very icky. I disinfect and dry them them during this process and then put the latex gloves on. I know it's only a matter of time before I lose them.

    pat
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #4
    Options
    Pat
    while I was going through chemo (Taxotere/Cytoxan - 6 rounds) and then 28 rads, my nails grew like crazy and actually got stronger than they'd ever been before. Then, I started noticing all the white ridges. My fingernails have remained strong but aren't growing as fast. My toenails are another story. My big toe got very dark but the nail actually came off mushy. It hasn't started to grow at all. The other toenails look double the thickness. It may be a long time before I can have a mani/pedi.
    {{hugs}} Char
  • linpsu
    linpsu Member Posts: 747
    #5
    Options
    toenails
    So sorry to hear about your fingernails - mine got yucky and I was sure I would have major problems, but luckily none came off. I did however, lose all 10 toenails. They grew back fairly quickly except for my 2 big toes. My chemo started one year ago last week, and I am getting my first post-chemo mani-pedi this week! I am so excited! Good luck to you. Linda
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #6
    Options
    Mothercrone said:

    Thanks, Irene
    Thanks so much, Irene.

    At this point, the nails are a little loose but lifted off the spongy nail base. Very icky. I disinfect and dry them them during this process and then put the latex gloves on. I know it's only a matter of time before I lose them.

    pat

    Lost 3 toe nails, and it took appx. 8 months for them to grow
    back. Truth be told, not all toe nails grow back after chemo. I've met 3 Women in Onc office. Now, finger nails are a bit different. Protect them ... wear cotton gloves, when washing clothing, or dusting .. protect them. Ask your Onc and staff what their recommendations would be. Short and Clean, of course -- however, do they recommend massaging vitamin E onto clean beds, before going to sleep in the evenings? What about a round or 2 of antibiotics ..

    Wish I had more for you.

    Strength and Courage,

    Vicki Sam
  • Mothercrone
    Mothercrone Member Posts: 28
    #7
    Options
    VickiSam said:

    Lost 3 toe nails, and it took appx. 8 months for them to grow
    back. Truth be told, not all toe nails grow back after chemo. I've met 3 Women in Onc office. Now, finger nails are a bit different. Protect them ... wear cotton gloves, when washing clothing, or dusting .. protect them. Ask your Onc and staff what their recommendations would be. Short and Clean, of course -- however, do they recommend massaging vitamin E onto clean beds, before going to sleep in the evenings? What about a round or 2 of antibiotics ..

    Wish I had more for you.

    Strength and Courage,

    Vicki Sam

    No recommendations from chemo nurses/doctor
    Thanks for your suggestions. I asked both my oncologist and the chemo nurses for suggestions but they had none, which is very unusual for my group.

    I was hoping they would recommend an antibiotic or a cream but...nothing. I showed them my nails which are quite icky.

    A friend also recommended finger cots which are latex covers that you place over your fingers.

    Question: how did you handle your fingers after the nails fell off.

Discussion Boards