Soft Nails

tousled1 · 03-20-2007, 05:42 PM

I have the same problem since Herceptin. I have found that Sally Hansen Natural Nail Growth Activator helps tremendously.

Jackie · 03-20-2007, 06:55 PM

Hopeful,

I too had a lot of difficulty with my nails & I had had strong nails, before I started Taxotere & Herceptin. I lost all of my nails towards the end and shortly after finishing the Taxotere. In fact some of my nails came off twice. My chemo nurse told me to use Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails to help as I had nails. I also took Hair, Nail, & Skin vitamins (got those at WalMart). I am 16 months out from chemo and finished Herceptin in Aug. '06. My nails have slowly grown out and strengthend. I have seen more improvement since I have been off Herceptin. I do protect my hands with gloves when washing dishes and cleaning. It has been a very slow process that I get very impatient with. I still have two nails that are reg. length, but are not fully attached as they should be. I have to keep them short to keep from catching them on something. Just keep them moisturized with a good lotion and be patient. I know that is easier said than done.

Hopeful · 03-20-2007, 07:24 PM

Kate and Jackie,

Thanks for the suggestions for the Sally Hansen products. I will pick some up this week and give them a try. I have always worn gloves to do dishes and other housework, and try to be extra careful, but it doesn't seem to be helping here. I appreciate the recommendations.

Hopeful

chrisy · 03-20-2007, 09:27 PM

I too had a problem with really crummy nails. They would split and were, as you say, just very weak. I tried everything - Sally Hansen's, hoof cream, you name it. None of these seemed to really make much of a difference for me.

Somebody suggested magnesium supplements, which I started taking and my nails got much better. I have NO CLUE if that's what did it - maybe it was something else entirely, like a change in seasons. But right now my nails are strong, although they do have what I call the "chemo ridges" , I assume from the Herceptin. This is horizontal ridges at regular intervals which I imagine are coniciding with my 3 weekly treatments.

None of this is scientific at all - so Becky, Sheila, and whoever, feel free to rebut any or all of this! LOL.

Anyway, thats my experience!

ExpectAMiracle · 03-21-2007, 06:02 AM

I am a newbie to the board, but I have a question about nails too. I have been getting my nails "done" about once a month for the last several years. I get the artificial tips with acrylic put on. Is there any problem with doing this while on chemo (which I will start next month). If not, this may be a good solution for folks with nail problems.

Thanks!

MJo · 03-21-2007, 06:29 AM

My friend and fellow BC survivor loves her acrylic nails, but the oncologist told her not to use acrylic nails during treatment. Talk to your onc.

My nails are still soft -- finished chemo in May, rads in August and Herceptin in December. I hate my soft nails. But at least they are pink now. They turned black when I was on adriamycin/cytoxan, that devil drug. A woman in my Wellness Community Support Group dragged herself in last night because she wanted comfort. She's on her 3rd A/C and feels horrible. My memories of A/C treatment have faded, but it's not bad to be reminded occasionally that I fought my way through some difficult treatment.

Karen Weixel · 03-21-2007, 07:56 AM

My nails are terrible and I am 8 months out from completion of Herceptin. Maybe I'll try the magnesium.

Karen

ExpectAMiracle · 03-21-2007, 02:30 PM

Oh no! I'm going to lose my hair AND my acrylic nails? Is nothing sacred to chemo

?

That is really a bummer though. Thanks for forewarning me.

Guess I'll be looking at the Sally Hansen stuff too. My "real" nails are soft without chemo.