finger nails & toenails

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boogirl
boogirl Member Posts: 6
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I am done with my treatments: chemo on Dec. 10th and radiation on Feb. 29th. How long does it take for your nails to go back to normal looking. Mine are three colors and thick. Very ugly!! ANy suggestions on how to take care of them??? Thanks

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  • billandpatty
    billandpatty Member Posts: 86
    #2
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    As I remember my experience, it took a few weeks after the treatments for my body to start gradually looking healthy again. It seemed like I started getting some energy back a couple of weeks after my last radiation treatment. And as far as the nails, mine were an ugly, unhealthy looking color and as they started to grow, there was a line as they grew out where they started to look more normal. My nails had to grow out and the new nails grew in ok -- it took a few months for the old part of the nails to be gone. As far as care for the nails, I don't remember doing anything special. I did paint my toe nails so they looked better when I had sandals on.
  • billandpatty
    billandpatty Member Posts: 86
    #3
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    As I remember my experience, it took a few weeks after the treatments for my body to start gradually looking healthy again. It seemed like I started getting some energy back a couple of weeks after my last radiation treatment. And as far as the nails, mine were an ugly, unhealthy looking color and as they started to grow, there was a line as they grew out where they started to look more normal. My nails had to grow out and the new nails grew in ok -- it took a few months for the old part of the nails to be gone. As far as care for the nails, I don't remember doing anything special. I did paint my toe nails so they looked better when I had sandals on.
  • jamjar62
    jamjar62 Member Posts: 135
    #4
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    Hi boo girl and congrats on getting through your treatment. My nails actually came up from my nail beds and peeled off. I finally realized why we have nails! I ended up having nail tips put on just to have something to protect my fingertips (or fingertops?). Anyway, I loved them so much I've kept getting them filled because my nails were pretty wimpy anyway. My toenails never looked too bad so I just paint them and I'm off. Also, you might try taking biotin which is supposed to make hair and nails grow quickly. Its a supplement you can get at WalMart or at a nutrition store. I don't know if it helped my nails grow but I believe that it did help my hair grow back faster.

    Blessings,
    Karen
  • creetcreet
    creetcreet Member Posts: 5
    #5
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    I agree with billandpatty. It takes a while for it to grow out, and it just has to take it's course. All I remember is painting my toenails and fingernails, constantly.
    Good Luck
  • Rochelleb
    Rochelleb Member Posts: 2
    #6
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    Dear Boo Girl,
    When I got off Xeloda my nails started improving immediatly. My big toe nails fell off, but all others looked like I shut the car door on them. 16 mo's later (today) my nails are truely beautiful. When they were black I kept them very short and painted to hide the color. Be glad you are done w/ treatment (congrats) and don't worry so much about the color of your nails.
    Sincerely,
    Rochelleb
  • AuthorUnknown
    AuthorUnknown Member Posts: 1,537 Member
    #7
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    I found a product that I think everyone should take, and I take it too. It's called THE GREATEST VITAMIN IN THE WORLD. I have a website that you can go to to find out some very interesting stuff about cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, indigestion, weight loss, and why it is proven to be the best in the world. It is made from whole foods, and is the most complete, highest grade, and most absorbable vitamins, minerals(amino acid chelated), enzymes, and probiotics known on the planet ALL IN ONE CHEAP BOTTLE!! It has everything you need to nutritionally support your entire body and it's all for $40 bucks. Some of the ingredients cost more than that for a single ingredient, not to mention that most of what you buy in the store can actually cause cancer, heart disease, and more. Just read the label, if it doesn't say words like carrots, wild yams, and other vegetable words that you know, then they are synthetic and they could be hurting you, and eveen if they're not they not doing you much good either. Please for you and everyone you know, share this website- it's www.dontforgettotakeyourvitamins.com/wiley15427
  • pattyrg
    pattyrg Member Posts: 16
    #8
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    My finger and toe nails were okay during treatments, hard as nails following Taxotere chemo, but are now going back to their layering ways. I see the ridge lines that probably mark the end of chemo; they are growing out.

    Keep your nails polished. You will be amazed at how fast they SEEM to grow when you have to maintain the color, etc. And it's a good way to pamper yourself, which you definitely deserve. Enjoy.
  • cinder
    cinder Member Posts: 50
    #9
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    Hi boo girl, I have not tried this yet but was told by a lady on one of the other support sites I am into that you take 2 Red Rose tea bags, steep in boiling water 5 minutes, cool, put nails in for 10 minutes, remove and toss bags. She said it worked for her. What can you lose? It won't hurt you. Let us know if it works for you.
    Cindy

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