Forum Discussion

hdubs's avatar
hdubs
Member
14 years ago

Finger tips splitting

It's been almost exactly five months since I finished chemo (4 x AC; 4 x Taxotere with Herceptin - 6 months of Herceptin to go).  During Taxotere, my finger tips and toes went numb and my fingernails and some of my toenails turned yellow, orange then totally white.  I had one or two split finger tips but kept it under control with handcream.  But just this week I've developed really deep splits on fingers of both hands.  Has this happened to anyone else this far out of chemo?

Helen.

  • Leonie_Moore's avatar
    Leonie_Moore
    Member
    14 years ago

    My Physican told me about the head freeze.  How horrible would that be?  Not for me I want to keep my brain working as it is thanks.  Yes I did get the kit and have been using it.  I really like my nails and usually have acrylic nails on.  My daughters begge me to take them off prior to chemo due to the infection side of things.  I gave in and I am very pleased that I did.  In the future I may be able to have nails again.  My toenails are usually not the best but I look after them so here hoping they all stay in tact.  Look forward to hearing from you again. XLeonie

  • hdubs's avatar
    hdubs
    Member
    14 years ago

    Thanks and all the best for tomorrow, Leonie.  Good luck with the frozen gloves.  The subject of me having them or the cold cap for the head never came up with my oncologist, although I've seen other patients with cold caps on when I've been having chemo.  I don't envy you or them because one of the worst memories of my AC was having to suck on ice - and that was just for the ten minutes that the AC was going in. 

    I see my oncologist tomorrow for my next herceptin and I'll mention my finger problem to him and pass on any tips he might have.

    By the way, did you get a Taxotere kit from your oncologist?  Mine had a nail hardener in it from Manicare which I used throughout my four cycles of Taxotere and a couple of months afterwards.  I also took some skin, hair and nails vitamins.  I don't know how much good it did or didn't do.  But I didn't lose any fingernails or toenails.  That would have been horrible.

    Take care,

    Helen.

  • Leonie_Moore's avatar
    Leonie_Moore
    Member
    14 years ago

    Sorry to hear that this has happened to you.  I have friends who have had trouble with their nails.  I start my second round of chemo tomorrow which includes Taxetare (Docetaxel).  They now have a "new" treatment which entails putting frozen gloves on for the entire time of the chemo.  I was told that if I could perservere for the first chemo that it would be beneficial - so I did for 105 minutes!!!!  What a challenge - I never want to get frostbite.  It was horrendous and I went into shock at the end of it BUT heh I hope it works.  This time and for the rest of my treatment I think that I will take onboard a tip from another "user".  I was told to only "do" the ice treatment for half of the time!!!  Here's hoping for tomorrow that I can stand it - mind you my nails are looking okay to date.XLeonie