Topic: Taxotere/Cytoxan Effects on Nails

Jun 9, 2012 09:25 PM LintRollerDerby wrote:

Hi. I noticed several similarities between us. I was diagnosed on 5/11/11 with TN. I did TC x 4 starting last June and ending last August, so I'm 10 months out from the end of chemo, too. My nails grew quite rapidly on chemo. During treatment, my nails had rings like a tree for each round of chemo and then they also started to lift from the nail beds. I never lost any, though. Mine actually got worse and more painful after chemo ended and I swore I'd lose my left thumb nail (treatment side, but not cancer side), but never did. It got pretty bad two seperate times after chemo, but then got better and then very quickly--out of nowhere--my nails returned to normal (pre-chemo normal). I have some minor neuropathy in the finger tips and a wicked case of arthritis from chemo in all my joints, but it's very pronounced in my finger joints (at age 34 with no previous problem), but my nails returned to their previous state. I'm sorry you're dealing with this. Have you talked to your MO about it?

Jun 10, 2012 05:19 PM kll22 wrote:

I have my next visit with my MO in August (yay 1 year!!) and I'll bring it up then. I wanted to use ice but MO said no because I have Reynauld's syndrome which makes my fingers turn white and cold like the circulation has stopped.  I too had the ridges on my nails and didn't lose any until Christmas. That started a succession of nail losses on my toes. I'm also experiencing joint pain but mainly in my knees. BC is just one great big roller coaster, isn't it?!

Jun 12, 2012 08:45 AM SpecialK wrote:

I had acrylic nails that I removed prior to chemo.  My wedding ring fingernail was injured in the process.  I did ice both fingers and toes through my Taxotere infusion, but because this nail had a high tear it did lift.  My other nails have no ridges, discolored area or white lines (these are actually called Mees lines, and are a sign of poisoning) so I feel like the icing really does work.  I also painted my nails with nail hardener 7 days in a row, then removed it and started over.  On infusion day I painted them navy blue or dark gray so that no light could penetrate.  The wedding ring fingernail continued to lift almost all the way back to the quick for about 3-4 months PFC.  It started turning colors (a distinctly unattractive greenish/brown) underneath so I was referred to the dermatologist.  The derm cut the nail completely off, cultured the nail and found both fungus and bacteria.  This is not really surprising because the environment under the lifted nail is a breeding ground - semi-covered and warm!  I used an antifungal gel and the nail grew back out perfectly, but it took six months.  I also lost the right pinky toenail but it grew back almost immediately.  I really do recommend icing, I brought my own bags of frozen peas and cooler with my onc's approval - the other nails made it through with no problems.

Jun 13, 2012 06:45 PM Denise-G wrote:

Taxol effects nails as well.  I iced hands and feet during treatment and have had no nail problems or neuropathy.

I definitely feel it works.  My chemo infusion area is now suggesting it to other women.