strange problem with toenail

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ohilly
ohilly Member Posts: 441
in Breast Cancer #1
I have not seen this problem addressed here before, but maybe somebody out there has an answer:

My toenails have not been normal since I had chemo in summer of 2008. It seemed like part of the nail was dead and they were discolored. Now in the past several months I have developed a black spot underneath one of my toenails: it almost looks like dried blood is in there, but I can't remember if I injured it or not (it's possible when I cut my toenails, I might have done it too close and they bled, which happens to me sometimes, but I really can't remember). I didn't think too much of it because there is no pain involved, just the discoloration under the nail, but now I saw on the internet that this could be a sign of melanoma and am freaking out. It also said it could be any number of other things, like a fungus or injury.

Has anyone ever had this? I might go to a dermatologist, but would like to see what you all say.

Thanks.

Ohilly

Comments

  • jessiesmom1
    jessiesmom1 Member Posts: 915 Member
    #2
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    Those Disgusting Nails
    Hi Ohilly,

    This topic has been discussed here MANY times. Some of us like to call the problem Taxotere/Taxol Disgusto Nails. It is a very common side effect of Taxotere/Taxol. I had 4 rounds of A/C and then 12 rounds of Taxotere. During the Taxotere rounds my nails became ridged and discolored. They lifted from the nail beds and eventually I lost 8 fingernails and 2 toenails. Fascinating in a gross and disgusting sort of way. When they started growing back they were discolored. I also thought it looked like dried blood under there. It took many months after chemo was over until the entire nail on any given finger looked normal. It seems like 3 years is a long time for this problem to still be continuing though. To give you peace of mind you might want to consult a podiatrist and mention it to your oncologist. I doubt it is anything but a long term chemo side effect.

    IRENE
  • BetsyJane
    BetsyJane Member Posts: 127
    #3
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    Two toenails lost to chemo
    Most of my nails were effected and looked horrible when I was having chemo. I lost two toenails due to it. I knew the nails had died as they kept lifting up when they got wet (in the shower and swimming pool). They were also discolored. I kept the nails on as long as I could. I didn't want the dead nail falling off until the new nail underneath was long enough. One nail did eventually come off but he new nail looks horrible (lopsided and uneven). The other nail that is dead has not fallen off completely yet -- and it has been six months now since it died. I'm just wondering if I should just try to take it off and see what is underneath or let it fall off on its own.

    In my opinion, I don't think it's melanoma. Most likely, it's from the chemo you received.
  • tgf
    tgf Member Posts: 950 Member
    #4
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    BetsyJane said:

    Two toenails lost to chemo
    Most of my nails were effected and looked horrible when I was having chemo. I lost two toenails due to it. I knew the nails had died as they kept lifting up when they got wet (in the shower and swimming pool). They were also discolored. I kept the nails on as long as I could. I didn't want the dead nail falling off until the new nail underneath was long enough. One nail did eventually come off but he new nail looks horrible (lopsided and uneven). The other nail that is dead has not fallen off completely yet -- and it has been six months now since it died. I'm just wondering if I should just try to take it off and see what is underneath or let it fall off on its own.

    In my opinion, I don't think it's melanoma. Most likely, it's from the chemo you received.

    icky nails
    Yep ... I got the icky nail thing too. It's been 2 years since I finished taxol and both big toenails still get dark spots (bruises?) underneigth them and sort of lift up from the skin. Very attractive ... not! Thank goodness for nail polish. Some of my other toenails also turn dark and "peel off." Lovely! I never lost any fingernails but I still have ridges going up and down all of my nails ... so I just pile on the clear nail polish to smooth things out.

    It still amazes me all of the side effects from everything that just don't go away. Oh well ... it is what it is. For me ... the worst is still chemo brain!

    hugs.
    teena
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #5
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    tgf said:

    icky nails
    Yep ... I got the icky nail thing too. It's been 2 years since I finished taxol and both big toenails still get dark spots (bruises?) underneigth them and sort of lift up from the skin. Very attractive ... not! Thank goodness for nail polish. Some of my other toenails also turn dark and "peel off." Lovely! I never lost any fingernails but I still have ridges going up and down all of my nails ... so I just pile on the clear nail polish to smooth things out.

    It still amazes me all of the side effects from everything that just don't go away. Oh well ... it is what it is. For me ... the worst is still chemo brain!

    hugs.
    teena

    I hate the Toes
    Both Big toe nails lost to Chemo 4 round AC 12 rounds Taxol. Still looking bad. It's been 2 years. I don't think they will ever be normal again.
  • linpsu
    linpsu Member Posts: 747
    #6
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    toenails
    I lost all 10 toenails after A/C and Taxol. While I was still getting chemo, the nurse saw a dark spot under one of my toenails and said I would most likely lose it. I didn't start losing them until I was about a month out of chemo. They all came back in quickly except for my 2 big toes - those took almost a year to grow out completely. Although 3 years sounds like a long time for them to start to have problems.
  • ThreeMotivators
    ThreeMotivators Member Posts: 1
    #7
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    tgf said:

    icky nails
    Yep ... I got the icky nail thing too. It's been 2 years since I finished taxol and both big toenails still get dark spots (bruises?) underneigth them and sort of lift up from the skin. Very attractive ... not! Thank goodness for nail polish. Some of my other toenails also turn dark and "peel off." Lovely! I never lost any fingernails but I still have ridges going up and down all of my nails ... so I just pile on the clear nail polish to smooth things out.

    It still amazes me all of the side effects from everything that just don't go away. Oh well ... it is what it is. For me ... the worst is still chemo brain!

    hugs.
    teena

    Chemo brain and icky toe nails

    Hi Teena,

         I know it's been a while since you posted that message, but you could have been telling my story!  Both of my big toes are losing their nails and I have ridges on my finger nails.  My finger nails are stronger than ever right now because I have been taking calcium to try and counter act the damage the chemo is doing to my bones. 

         The chemo brain is awful =(   I was a high school math tutor when I could work and now I second guess my self when my own elementary age children ask me for math help.  I hate it. 

         Since it has been a while since you posted, I wondered if you had any updates you could share? 

         Hope you are doing well.  Amy2013-05-22

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