Nails deteriorating

[Cynthgob]

Does docytoxil destroy your nails or could it be something else husband is taking? What does he have to be careful about? I’m reading that infections could be possible . One more chemo treatment left.

[Dan59]

The nails can become brittle and even fall off during docetaxol chemo, for this reason, I and many others have soaked our fingers in ice water to prevent this side effect .I kept my feet on ice packs as well to prevent nueropathy. The problem should get better when chemo is stopped. What other side effects is he having? I would have the Dr. make sure they do not get infected.

[Cynthgob in reply to Dan59]

Other side effects hair loss and fatigue. He’s actually doing pretty well although he was hospitalized with pneumonia two weeks ago.

[Dan59 in reply to Cynthgob]

Itis important to watch out for a fever, or high temperature, If that happens you should call Dr. even if it is the middle of the night. I am glad to hear he did well, and hoping for a continued psa decline.

[Cynthgob in reply to Dan59]

Thank u! Duly noted.

[Hidden]

I did nothing to try to prevent problems. My fingernails just got small ridges in them like rings on a tree, one for each cycle. They also got slightly discolored and brittle. There was a small amount of breakage, but nothing serious. I just ended up keeping them trimmed very short to reduce the chance of unplanned breakage. 6 months later now and they look completely normal.

[JamesAtlanta in reply to Hidden]

Mine was the same. I did put my finger tips in ice (with surgical gloves on) during the infusion. That helped a lot.

[Hidden]

It does affect nails:

mskcc.org/cancer-care/patie...

[noirhole]

I did get ridges on my finger nails and my big toe nails did loosen. I had the left toe nail permanently removed before the right fell off. I have had ingrown nails so having one removed was great. Thinking of having the other removed. The ridges go away after a while. Good luck.

[Hidden]

Cynthgob, my nails are thin and brittle,no hair under my arms , muscle bones and teeth all depleted now. I’m fighting back and trying to regain some of the strength and stamina that I’ve lost. It’s all an up hill battle for survival , part of the fun of APC .Not just Chemo but ADt and no T are culprits also. Pray for a quick and healthy recovery from chemo.

When I see spouses here looking to help their love it hits home because I’m fortunate to have the same. Very obvious that you love unconditionally .To have someone Loving us by your side in this nightmare is Epic. Stay strong and remember to be kind to yourself throughout this ordeal. God bless!

[larry_dammit in reply to Hidden]

Lulu. Sounds like we’re on the same page. No hair under arms ,facial hair very limited sure miss my mustache but don’t spend much on razors . Puberty is a real bummer but better than the alternative. Hang in there nap when you feel like it and work at getting your muscle mass back day by day.

[Hidden in reply to larry_dammit]

I still have face hair . I hate shaving too .. Puberty in reverse, which way is this puberty going. Time to start wearing a MooMoo and start baking cookies.

[Stegosaurus37]

Everybody is different - I'm starting my 4th docetaxel plus lupron and haven't had any side effects other than fatigue and loss of tastebuds (which are coming back) so I feel very fortunate. The best thing I have going is the support of my wife - that is incredibly important.

[Hidden in reply to Stegosaurus37]

You are fortunate , so am I. I pray for the men that don’t have that. You and I , thank god , are covered with our wife’s love. You’re doing good Stego!

[GeorgeGlass]

Are you gentlemen taking this chemo as a beginning treatment or after the other treatment options failed over time?

[Cynthgob in reply to GeorgeGlass]

Beginning treatment . Clinical study. Very advanced mets. Cancer had not spread to organs but had spread to almost all bones. In the ODM-21 trial

[GeorgeGlass in reply to Cynthgob]

Ok. I wish you the best possible success. I was contemplated the chemo but they only spotted my mets on a pet scan. I'm thinking about either lupron it lupron plus zytiga and Prednisone.

[vandy69 in reply to GeorgeGlass]

Good Morning GeorgeGlass,

I was taking chemo after 5 1/2 years of everything else. Please see my bio for treatment history.

Best wishes. Never Give In.

Mark, Atlanta

[GeorgeGlass in reply to vandy69]

Ok. Thanks Mark. I'll look at your bio. I contemplated the chemo but they only spotted my mets on a pet scan. I'm thinking about either lupron solo or lupron plus zytiga and Prednisone.

[larry_dammit in reply to GeorgeGlass]

George, stage 4. In lymph nodes,bones and spine. Doctor used the chemo. 6 rounds, then put me on Xtandi, was on lupron and Xgeva all along as well as some other stuff. 18 months in and feeling pretty good

[Cynthgob in reply to larry_dammit]

Larry, why xtandi and not zytiga? You seem like you are about the same condition as my husband. We meet with dr end of March to determine what next? Thank you for your input.

[larry_dammit in reply to Cynthgob]

Cy, that’s what the doctor felt would best benefit my treatment. Worst part is the cost and getting the correct pai meds to go with them .Larry

[Stegosaurus37 in reply to GeorgeGlass]

I was taking lupron - and found out I was castrate-resistent. I get my fourth docetaxel today and the stuff seems to be working - PSA down from 46.05 in January to 7.47 today and alk phos 53 down from 68 in January; liver and kidney readings normal. Shows what the love of a wife can do for you.

[dress2544]

I hope you know how chemotherapy works in the body. It destroys all the fast growing cells , cancerous cells as well as other fast growing cells in the body. Hair, nails, gastro intestinal membranes have fast growing cells. So as side effects of docetaxel there can be discoloration of nails, hair falls and mucositis.

[vandy69]

Good Morning Cynthgob,

On 1/9 I completed 6 cycles of Docetaxel/Carboplatin chemo and I iced my hands and feet during Docetaxel infusion to limit peripheral neuropathy and nail changes. So far, OK.

My Med Onc has me taking daily oral 100mg B6 to mitigate neuropathy and I take Wisconsin American ginseng to moderate fatigue. Google Mayo Clinic and ginseng for their trial results.

Best wishes. Never Give In.

Mark, Atlanta

[Litlerny]

Glad to hear your hubby’s chemo is almost over. I have 2 more to go. Yes, docetaxel targets rapidly dividing cells including cancer cells, but it it can’t target just the cancer cells or discriminate between cancer cells and our good, normal rapidly dividing cells like those that make up our skin, hair, nails, and intestinal floral. Your white and red blood cell counts can take a nosedive after each chemo treatment. Unfortunately, the chemo can wreak havoc on these as it destroys cancer cells.

Like Gregg and others, I have developed brittle, discolored nails with little ridges. I keep my finger and toenails trimmed short to minimize the chance of them breaking. I have also lost a lot of hair on my head and body, and have had G-I issues like gas, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhea that I treat with OTC drugs as they arise.

You mentioned infections. I think the biggest thing to worry about, particularly during the current flu and cold epidemic, is neutropenia, which compromises your immune system and makes you more prone to serious infections that are difficult to treat because your immune system is too weak to handle them, hence the advisory to head to a doctor or hospital if your temp goes over 100.4f.

Another potential side effect is peripheral neuropathy, which usually resolves after chemo is stopped, but can leave permanent residual damage in extreme cases. Report it to your oncologist if it come up.

With one more treatment left your hubby is almost out of the woods. Be vigilant. The side effects should resolve in time after he is done.

[larry_dammit]

Synth, been off the chemo now a year. But nails are brittle and awful. Think it’s the lupron but unsure . My wife got some nail oil ( for no better word ) to put on them seems to help. Watch out for Fungus infections I had several rounds but easy to cure. Athletes foot ointment puts it right down .

[eggraj8]

Ice on hands and feet help. My nails on hands are good. Feet nails were not good.

[Joelhirsch]

the doxytaxyl destroyed my nails, fingers and toes. the finger tails came back ok, but the toe nails never did. not really a big deal. Keep them cut short so they don't catch on anything. if they do the nail will likely pull completely off.

[RogerThat]

During a year of docetaxyl my finger and toenails became twice as thick, stiff, hard to trim, etc. They began to recover a few months after I stopped treatment. Now, a year after final treatment the fingers are normal and toes are about halfway recovered.