Hi
I had my last taxotere on 20th February. Some of my nails had red patches which have now gone and have been replaced with nails which appear to be coming away from the skin behind. Does anyone know how long this goes on for? Am I going to lose the whole nail? There is no sign of a separate nail growing up, the nails are just very pale to about half way down.
So far I’ve painted them with clear varnish as I’m worried about getting dirt stuck down there and never being able to get it out, or it becoming infected.
Has anyone else had this experience? Do you have any tips for me?
thank you
Pauline
Hi Pauline,
sorry to hear your having a rough time with your nails. I started tax 8th march and am not as far as you with it, however I know a lady who has lost her nails due to the tax. I’ve read on here about black nail varnish and when I asked the nurses they looked at me if it was a joke?
I haven’t painted my nails but do intend to.
Sorry I can’t offer you any tips
Sukes
I had 6 cycles of taxotere (ugh!) and my nails went funny, like yours. However, I didn’t lose them and they soon recovered after I’d finished the treatment.
I finished Taxotere on 21st Dec 07, my nails were looking rough but have improved over the last couple of months. I am still getting a slight tingling in my toes and fingertips but not as bad as it was.
My toenails were hit the worst, I have lost one off of my big toe but the others are staying put thankfully.
Congratulations on finishing your Tax,
Good luck,
Tracy x
Hi there Pauline
Our publication about taxotere contains some information about side effects which you may find useful to read, you can do so via the following link:
breastcancercare.org.uk/docs/taxotere_jan_08_0.pdf
In addition, if you would like to speak to someone in confidence at any point please call our confidential helpline on 0808 800 6000, the line is open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and Sat 9am-2pm.
Best wishes
Lucy
Hi Pauline
I lost all of my nails. Finished taxotere last October and lost the last left big toenail about three weeks ago. It is vile but they do come back. Weak and crumbly but they are there again. Think it is a very individual thing. Mine were lovely and clean and varnished during chemo but it happened later… Chemo has a wicked sense of humour!
Wishing you luck with yours!
Dilys
My fingernails were like yours…they were ridged (4 ridges crosswise on each nail - my onc said there was a ridge for each dose of taxotere) and the white of my nail extended downwards almost to the cuticle.
Fortunately my nails have always been fast growing, and now that I have finished Tax (1st November) there is only one ridge left on each. As each ridge reached the top, the tips peeled off…blimmin nuisance as they caught on everything!..but they are looking almost normal now. I didn’t paint them whilst on chemo, but am looking forward to treating myself to a manicure soon.
My toenails (especially the big toenails) grew a kind of extra layer on top of the new nail growing underneath. As they grow far more slowly than fingernails, it is a problem I still have. My left toenail began to lift recently so I pulled it off!
It was such a relief because it was causing a problem with wearing shoes. Underneath is a kind of soft nailbed, and a little bit of new nail growth. It isn’t painful, but not a thing of beauty either! I only hope that by summer and sandal-wearing time, I will have enough nail to paint!
I too, have peripheral neuropathy (the tingling feeling in hands and feet). This is gradually improving, but my onc did say that a certain amount may be permanent. Wonderful eh?
xxx
I was told to paint my nails (toes as well) black by my chemo nurse I don’t think it is a joke it is something to do with the light and the black protects the nails from the light synthesising.
Thank you everyone. I realised that I may have dodgy nails for some time to come.
Sarssquatty - My toenails have been covered with shoes or shocks and are better. but there are still patches of red on the big toenails.
with love
Pauline
Just thought I’d add my bit. I finished Tax in September. My nails are all now OK with the exception of my big toes. These have big ridges about half way up. The bottom half is nice new nail, the top half is horrible, ridged & discoloured. Despite having various sore & loose nails on both fingers & toes none of then ever came off.
As for the peripheral neuropathy - I have recently started getting some pains coming & going in my toes which I think is the feeling beginning to return.
Hi Everyone - I finished Taxotere last week and was thinking I am lucky as my nails have stayed strong and stayed on, despite the pale bit half way up. Reading these comments though I realise they could still come off later! Just want to add that I too was told to wear dark nail varnish (not necessarily black), Had painted toes and fingernails throughout, and used lots of hand and foot cream. Have never had such elegant nails! Also while I had the Taxotere I used to have my hands put into icy mittens - wonder if anyone else had this? Good luck everyone, must be horrid if the nails do peel, funny how we all react differently. (Now I could tell you about my tongue - but that’s another story!!).
Hi All,
Throughout my 4xTax my nails were various shades of purple and started to look worse about a week after final Tax. Since then I have managed to pick up some kind of infection under the nails and they have all been particularly nasty and oozing pus! Have antibiotics from GP and they are beginning to clear up although very slowly. I asked one of my chemo nurses if my nails would be likely to fall off and she said just because they lift doesn’t mean they will definitely come off, it just depends if the blood supply is still there, so I guess if they still look pink near the base that’s a good sign. I try not to look at my toe nails, there’s only so much I can take!!
Take care,
Louisa xxx