Finished T/C 2 months ago, now side effects!

mudd

I finished 4 rounds of T/C in March and about three weeks ago my eyebrows fell out and now my fingernails are turning white from the tip going down to the cuticle. Is this normal for nails? Anyone experience this? My eyebrows are starting to come back but the fingernail problem just started. Just when I'm starting to feel sort of "normal" I'm getting all these weird symptoms. I also started Letrozole. Thanks for any ideas on the nails.

DebAL

mudd, I am only 2 treatments in but I have heard of darkening nail issues after treatment is over but not white. I did not ice but do have nails painted dark. Are u having tingling in your fingers tips or just the color change? I'm expecting the lashes and eyebrows to go , like you said, just when you start to feel normal. I hope this resolves quickly for you. Keep me posted.

ksusan

These after-effects are annoying but not surprising. Hair and nails are affected by chemo, and some grow slower than others. You may find that there are hair cycles where your eyebrows thin in a few months, then come back. My nails still aren't totally back to normal coming up on 3 years out from chemo.

DATNY

mudd, I don't recall the exact timeline, but yes, after finishing chemo first eyebrows felt, and then fingernails started to turn dark and detach at the tip. Have finished in December, but my toenails are still affected.

Egads007

Totally normal. The nails will improve but may still be a chore because of the meds. Mine peel and split easily so I have to give them attention more frequently. The best product I've found and use exclusively is Vitry brand nail repair base or the ridge filler base. Pricy but worth every penny. For a top coat I use Seche Vite fast dry...makes the worst nails look so shiny and prolongs nail polish life. Tricky to use as it 'shrinks' as it dries so you have to be sure to coat the polish completely. Again pricy but worth it. Both available at Sally Beauty. Best polishes are OPI or China Glaze...no chips, just a slow wear.

Edit to say: invest in a glass nail file, emery boards or metal destroys nails.

LAMinders

My eyelashes and brows significantly thinned about 3 weeks after I stopped TC. I haven’t seen anything with my nails, but within 3 weeks of finishing chemo, once my doc lifted his restrictions, I started getting regular gel manicures and (regular) pedicure. They are thinner, but no lifting. I’m now 2 months out and my brows are growing in and have mini growth in my lashes. Everywhere else I have hair growing like weeds. I kinda liked the break from shaving!!!

ksusan

Yes, I love my glass nail file! It's much easier on my chemo-damaged nails.

DebAL

Thank you egads, heading to sallys now! ! LA, you made me laugh. I'm looking forward to not shaving my legs for first half of the summer anyway!

Egads007

Hi Deb, you’re most welcome! Be prepared, when I went through chemo every hair in my body fell out EXCEPT for the legs...doesn’t that just figure lol

DebAL

Mudd, just wondering how the delayed side effects of TC are going since your last post? My last TC is this Monday 6/4 so just trying to be more prepared. I have been using acetone free nail polish remover. Egads, I got the nail base and glass nail file. LA minders how is it going for you? Brows and lashes fine now but i know to expect loss in july- august. Any suggestions on products to help strengthen my eyelashes? How often do you all get pedicures? My hair is already growing back lol bummed this last treatment may change that. We shall see. Thanks ladies!

mudd

Never thought to actually update!! Thanks for asking. As fast as my eyelashes and eyebrows fell out completey which was devastating, they grew right back so the whole episode lasted about a month and my hair is growing in. If I were younger or trendier I could get away without a wig but I'm not ready to go without anything yet. My nails are still awful. They are turning white from the top down, mainly my middle finger and pinki and the shape is a little weird on my pointers. The other nails are fine. I guess we all have to get used to the new normal. I haven't used any products except I read vinegar may help nails to prevent infection and a lot of hand lotion. Hope things go well for everyone.

LAMinders

mudd and I had similar experiences. My brows and lashes all came back in about a month. And the rest of my hair is growing with a vengeance. At my last mani, about 2 weeks ago, I noticed the white slowly starting at the tips of my nails and unlike my hair, they seem to be getting worse. I just keep getting mani pedis as I used to- about every 2 week. This last time I decided to try “dipping powder” to make them a little stronger. But they are still breaking.

But- I have pretty much bounced back to my pre-chemo energy so I’m thrilled.

Deb- congrats on your upcoming last chemo!

NotVeryBrave

My nails started lifting like that well after chemo. It seems to just be my ring and pinky fingers. I had read that cutting off all of the white part will help it to grow back normally. That worked pretty well, but one pinky kept getting more and more white to where the pink part was less than half of what it should be. I finally trimmed it all the way down and it was very tender where the nail should have been. It's feeling better now and is no longer shrinking any further.

I think that when they lift like that - moisture and who knows what else can get trapped underneath and encourage more problems.

DebAL

Mudd, LA, and Not Very, thanks for the advice. If eyebrows and eyelash issues are only for about a month I think I can handle that. I will be on the lookout for white nails and will try gently trimming it away if I can. I agree that moisture getting trapped can cause problems like fungal infections etc. vinegar makes sense. Mudd, your younger and trendier comment made me smile. I'm in the same boat. I mainly wear scarves at work, wig a few times but think I will start wearing it more. Bald around the house but also in my backyard when hanging out , what I call my "safe zone" lol. I have great neighbors on both sides and I just feel comfortable. I have done so much better with the bald thing than I thought I would. It's already growing back but I'm prepared for whatever with this last treatment. I'm so fortunate to have pretty much sailed thru chemo with no side effects. Never even lacked energy. You hear everyone's experience is different. I just wish I could bottle up my experience for those that are suffering through treatment ; my heart goes out to them. I'm truly thankful. Moving on to AI's could prove differently. Thanks ladies and I hope you have a nice weekend!

70charger

I lost my toenails 6 months after finishing chemo, seems we are all on a different timeline.

DebAL

I will keep that in mind charger, thank you. TC, the gift that keeps on giving. Maybe I will at least make it through flip flop season!

Egads007

Hey Deb - glad you got your glass file & vitry base, it helps...especially through the rough times, chemo kicks the heck out of nails.

During infusion I would have my finger and toenails burrowed into baggies of ice (outside of bag) I didn’t get any blackening, discolouration and only some very minor lifting. The nails stayed pretty much intact. After treatment the tips crumbled a bit but I still had some length so regrowth was quick. I was really worried about nails at the time because I do my own nail art. Sheesh, I was worried about nails while sitting there having toxic chemicals poured into my body. Priorities...gotta love em’

DebAL

Egads, I probably should have done the ice baggies throughout treatment but did not. I will tomorrow; it may be too late but it can't hurt. I just hope I can make it through flip flop season before my toe nails fall off. Eyebrows are definitely thinning. There is a lady at makeup counter at local dept store that is also went through treatment. I may pop in there today for an eyebrow 101 lesson. It's funny what u mentioned about what chemo does to nails. My skin has been flawless throughout treatment. Smooth, even, soft, not a zit to be found. Don't get it?. Maybe it's the "last hurrah" before AI's take it all away.

Egads007

Deb - ditto on the skin effect. I glowed...I hadn’t had had breakouts years before chemo but my skin seemed smoother, softer and even toned. Something a battery of products never did for me back then or since. To bad I couldn’t just apply it to my face lol! My toenails were weak after but I didn’t lose any, the fingernails took it worse, so hopefully you’ll breeze through the summer with cute tootsies after all (crossing my fingers for you, excuse the pun). As for the brows scope out Benefit’s ‘Gimme Brow’ fiber gel (tiny mascara type wand) it thickens without looking drawn on or obvious...especially during the day. Holds up to a sweaty workout too. I’m still using it, love it! I’m heading towards an AL in December and hoping the same as you...that it doesn’t decide to have a retirement party on my face! We should compare notes as time goes on...the DebGads Beauty report lol! Hang in and hang on...with you in spirit tomorrow!

DebAL

Debgads beauty report!! LOL . I will get the brow gel tomorrow. Looked in the mirror and half of one of my brows is pretty much gone. Have you seen it? Were you the one on one of the threads that posted pictures of eye brow tatoos on these adorable babies?? It sounds like something you would do and I barely know you! I seriously laughed so hard my abs hurt I feel like one of them after looking in the mirror this morning. Hopefully my tootsies hold up. I have a beach vacation in less than 2 weeks that was planned before all this happened. Here I am bald and I'm concerned about my toes lol. Keep the beauty tips coming! Off to knock out this last chemo. Enjoy your day and thanks for the laughs!

Egads007

Deb - guilty as charged....I'm the baby pic culprit, glad you got a laugh! I'm hoping the best for your brows and the gel. Careful though, if there is no brow to work with some drawn in brows (at least mine were) a disaster...some look great. I think the trick is a light hand with the product to avoid the Ronald McDonald look:

Last chemo....YAY!!! Hope you’ve got a celebration happening, it’s so well deserved!

DebAL

Egads, chemo finito! I will see what side effects TC brings although when starting an hormone therapy how do we really know what drug causes what side effect. Just deal with each one when it comes I guess. My husband laughed at the golden arched eyebrow pic lol Me and my half an eyebrow will keep my eyebrow 101 appt at cosmetic counter tomorrow. I'm a hands on learner so hopefully it will help. Is the product you mentioned only online? Hope you are feeling well. Enjoy your day!

Egads007

Deb - have fun at your brow gig and let's us know how it goes! You can get Gimme Brow at Sephora or Sephora online....a lot of different stores carry it though so you could go to Benefit's website and check out the store locator for your area. Happy brow hunting!

Edited to say: Omg, how could I forget to write: WHOO-HOO CHEMO FINITO!!!! Awesome...you did it! Congrats! Hope you’re Celebrating big time!!

DebAL

Egads, lol, I will swing by Sephora on my way to my brow gig! Heading to Florida end of next week for rest and relaxation. I usually only take day of and day after chemo treatment off but decided to be good to myself and took this week off. Feeling a bit guilty but need to let that go. Going straight from bmx to chemo, then another surgery in July I just need to chill this week. I'll let you know if I find my brows! Enjoy your day!