Problem finger nails after Chemo

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Hi

I finished Chemo at the end of May 2010 and have had radiotherapy. I have been taking Tamoxifen since June 2010 and have just had my 14th Herceptin.

I lost all of my fingernails or I lost half of a nail during Chemo. They grew back but now they are heavily lined and each nail is half white like a french manicure but half way down the nail.

Anybody have anything like this? One oncologist said it may be due to the chemo which I finished 8 months ago but the oncologist I saw on Monday 24th January before my Herceptin has made an appointment for me to see a dermatologist.

Any views are welcome.

Diagnosed May 2009. Modified Radical Mastectomy with full lymph node removal December 2009. 2/21 lymph nodes positive. Two tumours Grade 3 and HER2 Positive and ER/PR positve.

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hello mnc
I didn’t lose my fingernails although I know quite a few people on this site did, particularly if they had tax (docetaxel). However, my nails got very frail, stripey and the kept splitting in the middle, threatening to come off but never did. What I was going to say was that the herceptin definately made them worse and they got worse all the while I was on it (17 treatments). Once it was over the splits gre out although they were still very fragile for about a year.
All the best with yours, Mo x

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Hello. My nails didn’t fall out but became very fragile as a result of taxotere followed by a year of herceptin.

I found that using Rimmel Nail Rescue - which looks just like a colourless varnish - was a great help in making and keeping them stronger.

Best wishes
Anthi x

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Many thanks - I’m doing my weekly shop tonight at Sainsbury’s so I’ll try Rimmel Nail Rescue.