Hi
Has anyone got any advice on how to deal with fingernails that are becoming sore on Taxol? I’m on weekly taxol (11) so far and I tried ice last week - seem to get no worse but do they stabilize or get worse with more taxol doses???
Also having a port put in on Monday and chemo after!!! V worried about that- being vain and shallow I don’t want it visible - can they not put it near your bra li e?? and worried as they said you would see it in my neck!!! I also exercise a fair bit and don’t want it to interfere with that!! Getting quite worked up - didn’t deal with all this last time as didn’t need chemo. After taxol onto FAC. I’m currently based in US with my husband and three boys and really missing family and friends back home.
my finger nails have turned white, like the little half moon you have on the base of your nail, but all over,
they are a bit sore, but not too bad, bearable,
I was advised to paint my nails as dark as possible, black or very dark blue has proved to be the best, this prevents uv light rays from causing the reaction, thats the information i was given by an onc nurse anyway.
try it if you like, anything is worth a try,
i carnt give you any information about the port because i have never had one, but i am sure someone will be on here and able to give you some advice,
love and best wishes to you and your family, Liz xxxxx
Hi Liz, I am currently on weekly Taxol just had third and nine to go, after having had 3 FEC. Nails are ok at present and I paint them with clear varnish and keep them short as advised. I have a port and it does save your veins, in particular as they can only use one of my arms due to lymph node auxillary. I had a portacath put in and Mine is adjacent to bra strap below the collar bone and if wanted to could be covered up by bra strap but I try not to do that as worried of irritating it, although nurses don’t seem to bother and are quite harsh with it. The little tube does go into your neck and is only really visible to you as you know it is there. I think excercise is ok but not too strenous, I was told not to lift anything heavier than 7kg which is a stone, so quite a lot of weight, but if I do too much it does ache at times, watch your body and it will tell you. They also take my bloods via the port when it lets them, sometimes my body refuses to let any out and it took an hour once, but that was me getting worked up about it, but again imagine prodding around delicate veins for an hour? I would certainly recommend it and surprised you have already had so many already and now only just having it. A lot of hospitals here don’t do it due to the cost implications. Good luck Adi x
I’m about to start Taxol after three FEC, so can’t tell you … yet. BUT I do have a port, and so far it’s good. Every nurse I told (and I have a lot of friends who are nurses) said “oh great” - it’s much easier for the clinicians. It certainly is less painful for me than poking around trying to find veins, and I’m told it would only get worse. I also found I was troubled by the chill of the drugs going into my hands, and now I don’t feel that.
A friend has had a port for four years and says she really doesn’t notice it. Mine is still a little tender, but I hope it settles down.