Herceptin and nails!

Options
tropicmom
tropicmom Member Posts: 88
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
Herceptin and nails!
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • tropicmom
    tropicmom Member Posts: 88
    edited February 2008

    I remember some responses to an earlier thread about se's of herceptin, and a few women said their nails were splitting.  (I think??)

    I have been on herceptin for a year now, first weekly with navelbine chemo. Since August no more chemo (yay) and herceptin is now every 3 weeks. Right around August my nails started to slow growth and break easily. But my thumbs are the worst! By splitting, I mean, my thumbnails are splitting right down the middle and halfway down the nail bed.  It hurts! And look terrible, like I chewed all the way down. I was out one night this weekend and while I was dancing, I caught an edge of the broken nail on something and it ripped a big chunk off and started bleeding. Ugh! NOw it hurts like hell.

    The other thing, is my skin on the "ball" of my thumbs is also getting weird. All flaky and peely and the sensation is yucky too, sort of numb but not.

    So far all this is only on my thumbs. The other nails are just not growing so much, and very soft

    I take lots of b vitamins and extra biotin, vitamin E oil on the nails but nothing is helping. 

    Is this happening to anyone else?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sassa
    Sassa Member Posts: 1,588
    edited February 2008

    Yes on the nails and flaky fingertips (and toes).

    I just keep my nails extremely short and I use a hand cream that contains paraffin.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lighthouse1
    Lighthouse1 Member Posts: 20
    edited February 2008

    I have been on Hercepten for two years.  One of the few side effects I can see is weak nails.  Mine are not quite as serious as you describe.  However, they remain "fragile".  I just keep them short and take lots of calcium!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cath52
    cath52 Member Posts: 15
    edited February 2008

    I took Herceptin for 1 year. Treatment was finished in June of 07. My nails are still a mess. I have to keep them short because of splitting and breaking off. My toenails are a mess also. My big toenails are black. I too take vitamins but I haven't noticed any change.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bevnurse
    bevnurse Member Posts: 274
    edited February 2008

    I finished 2 years of Herceptin in August and my nails are still very weak and the thumb nails have multiple rough ridges. I must keep the nails very short otherwise they catch and rip very easily.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KathyL
    KathyL Member Posts: 534
    edited February 2008

    I am doing herceptin with my 4 rounds of T/C chemo now.  I was told to use tea tree oil (1-2 times a day) and a strengthening nail polish (1-2 times per week).  I know I'm really much earlier in this than you ladies, but thought I'd pass it on. I so hope my nails don't fall off-- I've heard about this from others and dread it. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pffida
    pffida Member Posts: 13
    edited February 2008

    Your symtoms mirror mine.  I have completely given up on having any type of nail.  The thumbs are the worst!  The nails are so short that the skin next to the nail (top of right thumb) is now splitting and hurting.  I do very detailed crochet with a tiny hook and there are times when it is so irritated.  But the hardest thing is flossing my teeth.  I know it sounds ridiculous but I'm an avid flosser and it is so painful on the thumb.

    Interestingly, I don't have the same problem with toe nails. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pnpmary
    pnpmary Member Posts: 14
    edited February 2008

    my nails are also splitting.  I just thought it was due to cold weather and frequent hand-washing (I'm a health care professional), but keep commenting to a colleague that my dry hands and nail problems are much worse this winter than previouis ones.  I agree my toe-nails are fine also.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • debic
    debic Member Posts: 216
    edited February 2008

    I will be done my year of herceptin in May and I had the same problems.  When my chemo part of treatment was done I asked if I could have acyclic nails put on.  I was told yes but to be careful.  I go to a lady who keeps all my stuff-- file, brush everything separate and it is great.  No more pain

    Debi

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories