Splitting nails
 

Have been on Herceptin every three weeks since 2010. Also get XGeva shots every six weeks. Dry and seriously splitting nails have gotten worse over time. Any suggestions on nail care? Thanks.

Re: Splitting nails
 

Wondered if europa has been able to take care of her nails and has something to share: http://her2support.org/vbulletin/sho...ighlight=nails

Re: Splitting nails
 

Hey GrammaJ
I had very bad nails and still have some issues due to Metformin. I found using a cream called Skin Food by Welela worked really well. I applied and massaged my fingers with that evy night. I now use gelatins to strengthen them a bit. Let me get the product info and I'll post it.

Re: Splitting nails
 

Thank you so much. I'll look for your next post with the information. GrammaJ

Re: Splitting nails
 

My nails are a hot mess and the only thing that helps is tons of cream and sleeping with socks on my hands. Bluh.

Re: Splitting nails
 

I used a nail polish called evonail that is specifically made for people undergoing chemo. it dries as if you haven't used anything.

Re: Splitting nails
 

Thank you. I'll check to see if that's available in the US. GrammaJ

Re: Splitting nails
 

Mine are horrible. Right now, I have one split and ripped down almost to the quick. I put that home gel stuff on to try and keep it from coming off but it hasn't helped. I guess it's a permanent band-aid for me.

Re: Splitting nails
 

What "home gel stuff" are you referring to? Thanks.

Re: Splitting nails
 

You know what gel nails are? It's a coating you put on your nails and set with an LED light. Sensationail is the brand I use. It makes your (normal) nails stronger and look beautiful and salon done and it's easy to do.

I thought the strength might help with the split in this one nail but it didn't. Most of my nails are soft and a bit ridged but okay and I've used this gel before with no problems. This one nail though has such a big ridge in it that is mismatched and so no matter how short it is or how much I file it, I can't make it even.

I thought the gel might even it out (it does that) but it still ripped down to the quick.

Still, I do recommend this product if your nails aren't really horrible. You take it off with polish remover but it takes a while. I don't soak them, I use cotton balls and glove tips and there is a new remover product by a different company that works really well - just wipes off.

But I don't think it's going to work for this one weak nail. So if you have a cracked nail, don't try it. But if they are soft and not too ridged, it might be okay.

Re: Splitting nails
 

Thanks so much for all that information. I'll look into it. GrammaJ

Re: Splitting nails
 

Here's one unusual experience: My nails on Herceptin/Arimidex had become very thin, flaky and ridiculously fragile, always splitting and shredding, with pale dry ridgy surfaces and in some spots actually separating between nail & nail bed. They often split painfully up into the quick and I couldn't use them for anything. One day the look suddenly reminded me of a tropical nail fungus I had ages ago. As an experiment I tried tea tree oil, which after 2 weeks did nothing, but then I tried an over-the counter nail fungus paint "Anti-Fungal Liquid/Undecylenic Acid" (Walgreens) and after 2 weeks they improved modestly but noticeably! I then asked my GP for Jublia (prescription anti-fungal) and after six weeks my nails have smoothed, strengthened, with color improved, holding their shape & not shredding at all! I do keep them very short and quickly smooth any rough edges but I can actually use them again for light things in the kitchen, etc. and they look and feel FAR better. I'm wondering if maybe our meds in some cases make us vulnerable to nail fungus? It's the kind of thing our med oncs wouldn't be thinking about or testing for, no? Anyway, the Undecylenic Acid isn't expensive and might be worth a shot. If you try it, I'd suggest using it every evening after you're in bed and have done your last stuff with water, and include toenails. Be patient, give it a couple of weeks and share results? Might be a fluke in my case, but would be great if we find wider benefits.

Re: Splitting nails
 

I have the same problem with my nails. I'll try Undecylenic Acid and let you know if it works. Its worth a shot! Thanks.

Re: Splitting nails
 

I have the same problem. So far the only thing that seems to be helpful is to carry clippers and relentlessly trim any nail that cracks or splits. That means my nails are very short all the time, but at least they cover the nail bed. I haven't had a problem with separation.

Re: Splitting nails
 

Hi, Mtngrl -- I'd be very interested to know if the anti-fungal over-the-counter treatment improves the splitting. Might you be willing to give it a try? We might be on to something.

And yes, I do keep them very short!

Re: Splitting nails
 

Just wanted to say that I am trying the Evonail and although it is pretty expensive, it seems to be something that will be quite helpful. I have been on Herceptin for almost 5 1/2 years and my nails are very weak and break very easily even though I keep them short. I'm impressed so far with this product since it seems to provide a strong cover to my nails that will likely help with the breaking and splitting. A little goes a long way so the bottle should last for quite awhile.

Re: Splitting nails
 

Haven't posted about my nails in a long time. They have been tolerable but now they seem to be getting worse. Splitting is just one problem which is why I keep them short and often file the tops lightly with an emery board. But now I'm dealing with discoloration. Seeing my dermatologist in about 4 weeks for annual skin check. Plan to ask her for suggestions. If she comes up with anything other than what I've read below, I'll share. Thanks, all. Gramma J

Re: Splitting nails
 

Sarah, I’ve been to four pharmacies looking for the nail polish called Evonail, including the hospital pharmacy, and none of them carry it. Where do you buy it? I tried a nail polish called Hard as Nails, and put a new coat on my nails every second day, but it didn’t work, and my nails still kept cracking, even thought I keep them very short. I even get sores beside my nails because they are so short, and I have to put Polysprin on the sores to get rid of them. It’s annoying as I type for a living, and my finger tips are always sore.

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12/15 – First mammogram
01/16 – Second mammogram and ultrasound.
01/16 – Meet surgeon and go for third mammogram, second ultrasound and biopsy. Surgeon confirms cancer in left breast and lymph nodes and sets surgery date.
01/16 – Chest scan and bone scan done– all looks good.
02/16 – Surgery - left breast mastectomy and 16 lymph nodes removed (8 had cancer).
02/16 – CT scan done – small nodules on lung but Doctor advises it’s post surgical. They will continue to monitor just in case.
03/16 – Meet radiation oncologist and find out results of Pathology Report. I’m told that I have locally advanced breast cancer, based on the size of my tumour (7 cm!) and the fact that they found cancer cells in eight lymph nodes. I’m also told that I’m HER 2 positive, with high levels of estrogen and progesterone and that my cancer is stage 3, grade 2.
03/16 – Meet oncologist and am told that my cancer is actually grade 3, and that I should have done chemo before surgery. Too late now!
03/16 – Start first of six doses of chemo (Carboplatin and Docetaxal) and Herceptin (for 18 months). I was unable to get a full dose of Docetaxal after my first treatment due to liver enzymes being high.
04/16 – Have port put in.
06/16 – Finished chemo! One month off and then I start radiation.
06/16 – Start Tamoxifen.
07/16 – First radiation treatment – 24 more to go!
08/16 – Went for Genetic Testing to see if I have the BRCA gene. Tested negative for BRCA I and II
08/16 – Radiation oncologist biopsies “scar tissue” on my chest wall. I am told that I have a local recurrence and need to have rush surgery.
09/16 – Meet surgeon who advises that I need to meet with a plastic surgeon, as they will need to do a skin graft to close me up after surgery. Meet plastic surgeon and all looks good. A surgery date is set for October 4.
09/16 – Go for rush ultrasound, bone scan, breast MRI and CT scan.
09/16 – Meet oncologist who advises that the ultrasound and bone scan results look good, and that MRI shows three small masses at surgery site, but lymph nodes are clear. Still awaiting the results of the CT scan, but we are positive it will look good.
09/16 – Get a call from my oncologist, who advises that CT scan shows small spots on my lungs, and a large lymph node in the middle of my chest. This means the cancer has spread! She looks into getting me funded for TDM-1 and cancels my surgery.
10/16 – Meet oncologist, who advises that I have to take Perjeta before I can take TDM1. I start Perjeta/Herceptin every three weeks for an indefinite amount of time, and Taxol, which I will take two weeks in a row with one week off and then two weeks in a row for 8-16 treatments. Stop Tamoxifen.
10/16 – Meet surgeon, who reviews my CT scan and advises that the spots on my lungs may not be cancer, and that he doesn’t see a lymph node in my chest. He thinks it’s a spot on my lung. I’m feeling very confused! He advises that my oncologist doesn’t want me to have surgery to remove the three small masses on my scar line, as she wants to use them as a way to determine if the treatment is working. He advises that if they have not shrunk in 6 months, he will revisit surgery.
10/16 – CEA blood test to determine Tumour markers. Results were normal (2.7). My doctor advises that this could mean two things: (1) that the treatment is working, and the tumours are shrinking, or (2), that I'm one of those people who never get elevated CEA levels. Given that some people never get an elevated CEA level, this test doesn’t seem very accurate to me! Asked for PET scan, but am told I don’t qualify.
10/16 – Brain MRI – NED!
11/16 - CA-15-30 blood test – Tumour markers are normal at 19.
11/16 – Second CEA blood test – Tumours markers are still normal at 1.6 Second CA-15-30 blood test – Tumour markers are still normal at 19
11/16 – Develop lymphedema and have to wear a sleeve
12/16 – CT Scan shows that the tumors on my lungs and the lymph node in the middle of my chest are shrinking, and that some have resolved. Also, the small masses along my scar line are no longer visible. This means the medication is working!
12/16 – Small “pimple” shows up where old tumour on chest wall was located. Doctor is going to monitor it for now.
01/17 – A second “pimple” shows up on chest wall, as well as a small lump under the skin. My doctor thinks it’s scar tissue and will monitor it for now.
03/17 – Third CEA blood test and CA-15-30 blood test – Both normal at 2.5 and 25
03/17 – CT Chest scan to see if there’s improvement to chest and lungs – results are mixed. The good news is, lymph nodes are stable, there is improvement of previous lung changes due to radiation, and the cancer has not spread to my bones, spine or liver, etc. The bad news is that while some lung nodules remained stable, others increased by 1-2 mm and new ones have shown up. All of them were less than 1cm.
03/17 – Received my genetic test results from Foundation One. It found 11 genomic alterations, 3 therapies associated with potential clinical benefit, and 13 clinical trials from which I might benefit.
03/17 – Second brain MRI –awaiting results
03/17 – Ultrasound done to determine size of “pimples” on my chest wall. They will follow up with a second Ultrasound in three months, to see if they are growing
05/17 – Full body CT scan scheduled to see if I’m still “stable”.

Re: Splitting nails
 

Tiffany--I have a love/hate relationship with Amazon.com. You can order Evonail from them. I also have the problem of the skin beside some of my nails (mostly thumbs and forefingers) cracking, and when it first started happening they would get infected. A dermatologist advised me to use petroleum jelly on my finger tips every time I wash my hands. When I actually remember to do that it helps a lot. I think it also cuts down on my nails splitting and cracking. For the really bad fissures in my skin I keep them greased up with petroleum jelly (or zinc oxide cream) and keep them covered with bandaids. It is pretty hard to type with finger tips that hurt.

I'm pretty sure I don't have nail fungus. My nails are a normal color and not ridged or misshapen.

Good luck with your fingernails, everyone.

Amy

Re: Splitting nails
 

I wonder whether this finger nail issue is just an after effect of chemo, or whether it is related to long term Herceptin as well. I have tried so many different remedies, but they are very ugly and constantly splitting. Oh well..... Worse things happen at sea.
Best wishes.... Pam