HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post

starwishn2 · 05-09-2013, 11:27 PM

I have had acrylic nails for 20 years. I, very sadly, removed them between my first and second chemo treatments. I did everything I could to keep my nails healthy and strong throughout my chemo time. I was very careful with them. However, my nails got infected and some even bleed. I was grateful that I didn't have the acrylics on at the time. The infection wasn't caused by any clipping or filing I did on my nails. I just had a very weird reaction to Taxotere. No one knows how our bodies will reaction to chemo. I had no problems with my nails until AFTER my last TCH treatment. I think you should do whatever you can to mitigate any problems. You can always put the acrylic back on when you're done if you don't have issues.

As a side note - I am actually liking the very short and painted look of my nails right now. I'm not sure if I'll put the acrylic back on or not....

Jeri

05-09-2013, 11:27 PM	#10
starwishn2 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Utah Posts: 124	Re: Nails I have had acrylic nails for 20 years. I, very sadly, removed them between my first and second chemo treatments. I did everything I could to keep my nails healthy and strong throughout my chemo time. I was very careful with them. However, my nails got infected and some even bleed. I was grateful that I didn't have the acrylics on at the time. The infection wasn't caused by any clipping or filing I did on my nails. I just had a very weird reaction to Taxotere. No one knows how our bodies will reaction to chemo. I had no problems with my nails until AFTER my last TCH treatment. I think you should do whatever you can to mitigate any problems. You can always put the acrylic back on when you're done if you don't have issues. As a side note - I am actually liking the very short and painted look of my nails right now. I'm not sure if I'll put the acrylic back on or not.... Jeri __________________ Diagnosed 16Dec1993 ITP (auto immune disease - low platelets) Splenectomy 11Nov2009 Rituxen May2011 ITP playing nice Diagnosed 3Jul2012 BC 2 cm - Grade 2 - Stage IIB HER2+++ ER+/PR+ bilateral mastectomy 20Jul2012 Metastasized cancer found 1 lymph node expanders placed during surgery TCH chemo "cocktail" started 24Aug2012 every 3 weeks - 6 treatments Herceptin - 18 treatments LAST treatment Taxotere & Carboplatin 7Dec2012 -yay! Continue with Herceptin 26Dec2012 Started Arimidex 01Jan2013 (for 5 years) Surgery to remove expanders/reconstruction 18Jan2013 Infection in left breast from reconstruction/infection in most nails - SO many meds! 22Feb2013 Left implant not playing nice.... might need to remove and try again - blah! 04Apr2013 3Jul2013 - one year since diagnosis - booo cancer! 15Aug2013 LAST chemo infusion!! YIPPPEEE!!! 13Sep2013 2nd reconstructive surgery.. the FOOBs are looking good!