Hi everybody. Have just been reading through all the comments in this section and have found the advice and tips really great. Will be buying some aqueous cream from ASDA on the way! I’ve also got to travel to Glan Clwyd every day. Should be a 2hr round trip but the traffic and roadworks are always a bind on the A55. Fingers crossed I don’t get stopped today. A quick question - those of you who’ve had chemo, how are your finger and toe nails? Mine are in a right state. Any tips?
You should not have to buy creams the hospital should give you prescriptions for all you need. Hugs Abby
Yes, my hosp gave me endless tubes of aqueous cream as well as gel pads to keep in the fridge. I never bought any.
Hi Ayoud
With regard to the nail problems. I finished chemo back in January with a set of fingernails in pretty good condition. Within the last few weeks most of the nails have started to pull away from the nail bed and are very sore. I too would appreciate any help or suggestions.
Andie
Hi Andie,
Thanks for replying. My nails on my hands and feet started to look peculair during the Taxotere chemo sessions. They began to look yellow in the top half and then split down by the cuticle. I’ve also got very little feeling in the ends of my fingers and toes. Does anybody know whether this is this linked to the chemo or do I need to go and see my doctor?
2nd rads today. Was ok yesterday and decided to go on my own for the next two days.
Hi Abby and lolly73,
I wasn’t offered any cream by the hospital. They said I could buy it from any pharmacy. I popped into Boots on my way home from radiotherapy yesterday and bought a huge tub for £3.99 which wasn’t bad. I was told to put it on twice a day but can I put it on in the morning before I go for my treatment or should I wait till after?
Hi Ayoud
I was told by the people where I am having my rads to make sure that any cream was put on at least 2 hours before treatment to allow it to sink in.
You could be describing may fingers and toes. I understand from my onc that the tingling feeling should go away but it could take months and very occassionally it does not go.As far as toe nails are concerned I could not make my mind up whether my toenails were suffering for chemo SE’s or a fungal infection. I took myself off to the GP who agreed that did have a fungal look about them and he sent off some nail clipping to be analysised.The results came back no fungal infection, but before he was prepared to ignore the sitution and put it down to chemo he wanted another test done. I am still waiting for the results so will let you know when I hear - should be sometime next week.
Good luck with rads
Andie
Hi
I was told to use my aqueous cream as often as necessary, BUT NEVER USE IT WITHIN 3 HOURS BEFORE THE RADS APPT!!
Nails - throughout Taxotere I massaged vitamin E oil into my nails and finished off with Tea Tree oil every night. I also take calcium/magnesium/Vit D supplements. Breast nurse said my nails are really good and that most people lose them on Taxotere. I finished chemo 2 months ago and nails still good.
I also took Glutamine powder(amino acid)daily which helps/stops the neuropathy (tingling and numbness). I am sure it helped me. It may not be too late to start after chemo finishes - worth a try. The tingling can be permanent. The Glutamine also really helped mouth symptoms.
Lolly, I echo Andie’s post - all the info I was given pre-rads, including printed info, said aqueous cream should be put on a couple of hours before session in order for it to soak in. Good luck with your treatment, all the best Pat x
hi all
im just about to start rads on the 11th june . got my pre assessment appt next week . looking forward to be tatooed lol x running joke in my family as im the only one who hasnt got one . maybe when all my treatments are finished i might bite the bullet and get one for real.
still once i have my reconstrustion i shall be having my nipples tatooed on after x does that count ? lol
anyway just thought i would join this thread for some advice and chat
love n hugs to all
melissa
I have posted this for new user, Karen
Jo, Facilitator
Hi
This is my first time on the site, i had five months of Chemo which ended on the 29th April 09. My fingers nails and toe nails were in a right state as well some even came off and also went black in some of the nails, there is nothing you can do for this you just have to let it take it’s course. Now i have found that everything is coming back to normal now and the the new nails are pushing the old out. But don’t worry they look good afterwards.
Karen