Nail Question - docetaxel

I was advised to wear very dark nail polish and during treatment had the cold mitts on. I think this made a big difference, no real issues with my nails but that said, docetaxel did affect their strength. Good luck, docetaxel isn't the nicest drug. Thinking of you xx

Thanks ladies..... I was told not to paint my nails and to stay away from manicures while on chemo! I'll just put clear hardener on them..... I was also told not to have baths! Because the hot water temperature in sensitive skin

The aching has subsided and the bone pain has subsided too thank for!

o h well just do as I'm told I suppose and hope for the best

I had the ice gloves with docetaxal. Used clear nail strengthener and had no problems at all with my nails on hands or feet.

Hello:) I had docetaxel almost 3 years ago now.I had sore nails,they darkened and got dark ridges across them,and my toe nails got VERY dark lines and a couple became loose.Paint your nails black and keep them short.Even if you do lose some,they WILL grow back.Its hard when you are in the middle of it,but 3 years on and it's a memory!!!Cheers Robyn xox

Yep. Keep them out of the sun as much as possible. I am 5 weeks post chemo and looks like I may lose thumbnails and big toenails. Not much I can do about it, they are just receding and turning white from the ends back. Looking closely it seems like the cuticles on the sides which holds nails in place have vanished. Just have to keep sliding a knife under ring pull tins and levering that up before I pull it open. Even opening twist lids I have to run to hubby sometimes to do it for me as I don't want to put pressure on the nails. I had 4 doses of docetaxel and this only started being a bigger issue after the last dose. It wasn't too bad through the chemo.

Hi,

I had Docetaxel and Cyclophosphamide. They advised me to keep my nails painted with a dark polish to protect them and also used 'cold mits' - super-chilled mittens - to do the same. The mittens went on for the first hour or so but I can't remember if they were to protect against the docetaxel or the cyclophosphamide. The mits were absolutely horrid, but I  didn't have any problems with feelings in the fingers or breaking nails.

My oncologist was wonderful and told me to report any and all problems on the basis that he would likely be able to find alternatives to minimise any side effects. It might be worth a chat to your oncologist and/or the chemo nurses to see what they suggest.

I'm now a couple of years post-chemo and things are great, so hang in there, you have better days ahead.

Regards,

Megan

Yes! Currently at day 6 of round 2 of the big bad D. I found each time at the end of day 3 the end of my fingers became very sore making it hard to open cans etc. The skin under my nails seems to be going a darker colour as they grow but I haven't had any lifting etc. And the pain is much less today - around day 6 or 7. It starts to subside at the same time as the bone & muscle pain. And it is completely gone by the time I get to the next round. Although I didn't get any better than feeling I had a bad case of the flu.

I have found a 2 hour radox bath helps a lot to relax the muscles. :)

Along with the other side effects you have had watch out for mouth ulcers at around day 8 and finally the rash at about day 12. They gave me antihistamine for the rash.

Must admit I am finding the big bad D very hard, in a weird way I think fondly of FEC. 

Take care Jane

Hi. I also had similar feelings in my fingernails. They felt as though they were peeling away from the finger! I went to a nail salon every 4 weeks during the 6 months of chemo....I honestly think this protected them as I never actually lost a nail or had breakage. I also enjoyed experimenting with bright colours to make me feel better. 6 months out of chemo now and they are very strong and healthy. Good luck with it all xx 

My chemotherapy was about 18 months ago. Forgotten (or suppressed) the drugs used. It was a very aggressive Grade 3 cancer with a 8cm by 2cm (huge) lump, somewhat soft so I didn't feel it, it was detected in a routine mammogram. Had 21 cancerous lymph nodes out of 31 removed during the mastectmomy.

My fingernails reacted badly, with soreness and lifting off the nail bed eventually some falling off. YUK. All good now though with only some minimal soreness and large white areas on some nails. Cover that with a nice manicure when necessary though.

Feeling better about things now although still have moments of depression and on Arimidex so have bad knee joint pain. But hey I am here to complain about it!!

Good luck to all undergoing treatment. It is worth it and everyday I am here is a blessing and another day I get to enjoy my daughters and my grandchildren.