Brittle nails (on Zytiga/abiraterone)

[Caring7]

My husband recently started on Zytiga (after being on Xtandi for almost two years). He's noticed that his nails are really brittle, cracking, peeling, ridging. I read about using Aquaphor on them, which we're trying. He did chemo almost three years ago, and only short 5-day bursts of radiation on his spine and hips (and only 3 of those).

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this as a side effect of Zytiga or Prostate cancer generally.

It's also possible that his system has just had so much thrown at it in the past four years, his tolerance has decreased. He also struggles pretty often with GI issues (cramping, gas, diarrhea), which he never really had before. He is otherwise very healthy and has the lowest blood pressure in the world (scares a new nurse every time).

Thanks for any info -- also treatment suggestions.

[dmt1121]

I have had this condition for years (unrelated to Zytega). It may have been exacerbated by chemo and Lupron. What has worked for me are supplements: Silica Complex by "Now" and 5,000 mcg of Biotin by "Allergy Research Group". Other supplements may also help but I would start there. They are easily available on Amazon. Ridges on my nails have not gone away but my nails are strong. When I stop taking these supplements, my nails start becoming soft with vertical splits, etc.

Hope that is helpful. Good luck.

[Caring7]

Thanks!! That’s a lot of biotin!

[joeoconnell]

my wife died of pancreatic cancer and had this same problem with her finger nails. i tried to get her to discuss it with the medical staff as it my be away of diagnosing sooner

[Scruffybut1]

My hand nails are brittle and crack/split regularly. Had 23 months of Zytiga to date and the nails problem didn't exist before then. In 4th year of ADT including 8 months chemo. Nails only side effect to date.

[DenDoc]

I have been on Lupron for 10 years. Now on chemo after other treatment failures. I discussed the nail problem with my dermatologist who said it is very common and mostly age related (77). I have been using Biotin for the past year plus lubricant at bedtime. They are much better. Keep nails trimmed well.

[TommyTV]

Me too! Been on these drugs for six and a half years.

Constant splitting along the long ridges, and sometimes a half moon chunk of nail cracks off. Any suggestions welcome for the UK.

[zenbee13]

Hi Caring7,

I'm 60 in a month, and have been on Zytiga since 2016, and yes I've noticed the thinner nails. I've also noted that due to the prednasone my skin bruises and tears much easier. That was confirmed by my dermatologist, although the oncologist was unaware of that side effect.

After my rescue radiation, and since then I do have GI problems. It's just not the same. Usually pretty loose, and if firm flat on one side (go figure that out). And I can deal.

As always these side effects are better than the alternative.

Peace

Bees

[Caring7]

Thanks everyone for your comments! I will share with Joe, who can follow this advice. The Aquaphor seems to be helping, but it looks like he really should add Biotin.

[BartonKen]

I started chemo yesterday (Docetaxel). I had read on the site that one should ask for a bowl of ice to dip ones fingers in and a bowl to put ones feet in. This helps to stop nails from lifting off the nail bed and ultimately either causing ridging or the nails falling off. When I went in to the Kelowna Cancer, BC Canada asking the question they replied cold gloves for hands were standard practice in their facility following research on that specific. They have yet to research the treatment for feet. I must say the cold gloves are really cold. I wore them for the whole hour of chemo. This will be done for all following chemo treatments. Me enlarged Prostate mestatasized in four vertebrate and was diagnosed in early February. Gleason 4&5 PSA 500 following immediate Radiation of five consecutive days on the vertebrae and a ZOLADEX injection for the Prostate, PSA dropped to 80. Subsequently the cancer speckled from cranium to feet. A particularly painful spot was the left top pelvic area where the sciatic nerve goes through the pelvis. This was hit with radiation a week ago. The sciatic nerve reacted down the leg. This was a few days prior to chemo. With taking Dexamethasone (2x2 daily) and Oxycondone 4mg as needed it calmed the sciatic nerve down significantly. Now the day after chemo, no pain, no side effects. Rating to go. Cheers! “More miles”