fingernail soreness

I have one more taxol/herceptin treatment next week, then go to herceptin only. I have had some lifting of big toe nails, but seem to be hanging in there now, no significant soreness, some tingling. This week however, I have had lifting of 3 fingernails and one extremely sore thumbnail. Anybody have any ideas on how to address or lessen the soreness? Makes it hard to use my hand effectively. No real tingling in fingers, a little less dexterious, soreness is main problem. Thanks for any suggestions you may have.

Sassy

Hi Sassy, I took pain medicine, vicodin worked for me without knocking me out. For me, it flares up but thankfully isn't a constant.

Just a thought, if nails are lifting could there possibly be an infection or fungus?

Hi Sassy,

I did 15 months of taxol and avastin. My finger nails started to lift about 8 months into treatment. They would lift and ooz. They hurt so bad if I touched them against anything...even trying to get something out of my purse. I finally started to cut the nails way back...it really helps. Your not catching them on everything when there short and it should also relieve some of the pain...it did for me. This eventually happened to all finger nails then the toe nails...I actually lost several toenails. I have always had long manicured nails so it was hard to see my nails so short and discolored. I have been off taxol for 4 months and my nails are still recovering.

I would soak my nails 2 -3x a day in peroxide...helped clean them out. I also tried tea tree oil. My doctor told me he had never seen anyone with nails effected so badly from the taxol. It was more worst side effect!! It was bothersome. My tx worked for 15 months and knocked a lot of the cancer out...so I was thankful for that!

Hope this helps a bit and best of luck to you

warmly,

judiek

Thanks for your posts. I have cut my nails short to keep from catching them on things and that has helped. My toe nails also lifted and oozed, but have stopped and though discolored and in bad shape, do not seem to be getting any worse and are no longer painful. Just have this one thumbnail that seems more painful than the rest. I will continue with peroxide and check into the tea tree oil. Our staff nurse swears by it for many ailments. With only one treatment to go, hopefully all this will start getting better.

Sassy

Hi, My finger and toe nails did the same thing, my onc said it is caused from the Taxol. There is really nothing that can be done to stop it, but she recommended using "Tea Tree Oil" to prevent fungus infections. I used it, and have not had any problems. My finger nails are almost completely grown back in, but are still paper thin and weak. The toe nails on the other hand, take forever. Just keep your nails short so you don't snag them and use the tea tree oil. You can get it at a health food store for about $10.00. Also, don't dig around in the dirt planting flowers, or doing other messy jobs. The dirt gets really under the nails and is difficult to get out...therefore, infection sets in. Get someone else to do the work for you. I would buy the flowers and my husband would make a face, but he always planted them! Made him feel like he was doing his part and being useful!


Nancy

>>My finger and toe nails did the same thing, my onc said it is caused from the >>Taxol. There is really nothing that can be done to stop it,


I read a post on preventing this. But I am not doing it, though I might. This advice is probably the same as the one that says suck on ice cubes when doing taxol/Taxotere to prevent mouth sores.

And that is: Get bags of frozen peas and take them with you to chemo. Loosen the peas and pluge your finger (and toe) nails into the bags (closed, don't need to open them, freeze and reuse.) . It might help. Won't hurt. But I am not sure I can see myself doing it! If I can find the link for this I will post it later.
Anyone tried it?
Janet