Herceptin and nail loss

[Merridith]

I just came back from a chemo session and there were two other women in the room who were HER2+ who were getting infusions of herception! They both had terrible nails which they thought were the result of herception. One was getting a palliative herceptin - chemo compound and there was literally nothing left of her fingernails (good news was that she had lived 6 years past her death-date!), and the other was on straight herceptin, her nails were very soft and splitting. This is not a side-effect associated with the literature that I was given on herceptin. Since we are making the rules on this drug right now, I thought I'd come right to the source and see what you are experiencing.

Comments anyone?

[Lolly]

I have had softer nails on Herceptin; although they don't split or get sore, they grow slowly and break off easily. I just wear a nail strengthener-type polish, and keep them filed smooth.

[dede]

My nails have been terrible since starting herceptin. I do believe it is a side effect-I think they need to add it to the list...

[Lisa]

I'm so glad to see some of you asking about this. I just figured it was my chemo, not my Herceptin. Soft, splitting nails...an annoyance, yes, but a blip on the screen of major issues. I'll just go back to clear nail polish, I guess.

Love and healing light,

Lisa

[lolam]

My nails are horrible. They are soft and split, even bleed when they split down too far. Not a pretty sight! Hugs, Lola

[Christine Adams]

Wow! Am I suggestible! Read your message. Thought, "so far, so good" for my nails. Went back to work and within 10 minutes, two fingernails broke right off! Har! My nails are generally strong, long, no-maintenance. Have had one (loading dose) of herceptin. Just coincidence I'm sure (libraries ARE rough on nails).

; )
xx

[Steph N]

Guess I have to be the one to disagree.
When I began on Herceptin it was with Taxol AND navelbine. This combo WAS hard on my nails, but not to the point you all are describing.
Have been on Herceptin alone (except for the Zometa for my bones) now for 22 months and my nails are perfectly fine. They always were a little soft and prone to some breakage, so nothing new - basically the same as B.C. (before cancer).
What do your docs and nurses have to say about what you might do to change this problem??