Discoloured nails!

[pjsmum]

I was diagnosed with PMR December 2012. I am taking Prednisolone, Calcium Supplement and Alendronic Acid. My finger nails have become discoloured! Looks like I am a heavy smoker - but have never smoked in my life! Has anyone else experienced this strange phenomomen?

[polkadotcom]

Hi pjsmum, steroids have just about mangled my nails altogether. I always hoped that they would return to normal once on a lower dose, but I only managed the lower dose necessary a couple of time - till now, and I don't hold out much hope now, been on steroids too long.

I keep them together with nail strengthers and sometimes nail glue if they split badly. They tend to split lengthways down the nail which is excruciatingly painful if I catch them - the glue works wonders. And yes, they are a ghastly yellow colour which I camouflage with nail varnish.

Catie

[pjsmum in reply to polkadotcom]

Many thanks. At least, that seems to the answer! Good idea to cover with nail polish which I must admit I don't normally wear. Just hope it'll just be discolouration and not the splitting - sounds really painful. Started out on 20mg Prednisolone last December and am now down to 8mg - now reducing by 1mg per month which seems to work for me. I am completely pain free and GP is hoping that come Dec/Jan I can come off them completely - but time will tell no doubt. Judging by all the blogs, which I must say I have found extremely helpful, this PMR seems to have a mind of its own. Best wishes.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

pjsmum and polkadotcom,

Have been on steroids, Calcium and AA for thirteen months. Can't say I have noticed that nails are discoloured, but then I always varnish them! One bonus is - the calcium has made them a lot stronger than they used to be, or perhaps it's due to PMR/GCA stopping me doing gardening etc.

Have one that splits like yours polkadotcom, but rest are ok, are you on calcium tabs? Dorset Lady.

[pjsmum in reply to DorsetLady]

Many thanks Dorsetlady. Your comments are most helpful and appreciated. Best wishes.

[polkadotcom]

Yes to the calcium, have been on Adcal for years now. Mine were always very strong nails but they are getting brittle now.

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

I have experienced very poor nail condition, with permanent splitting of one nail in particular. A friend recently recommended one of the upmarket crystal nail files, not cheap, but my nails have grown longer and stronger. Some success is obviously down to a recent course of high dose Vit D which allows more calcium from food to be absorbed into the body, but I'm sure the recovery of the split nail is down to the crystal file.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Celtic]

Hi Celtic,

What's the name of the crystal file please? Sounds just what I need for my troublesome thumb nail! Thks, Dorset Lady

[pjsmum in reply to DorsetLady]

Hello Dorsetlady. You can get the crystal file from beauty-glow.net/?product=ga...

I already have this Natural Nail Care Set which I purchased at an Ideal Home Exhibition a few years ago. Must start using it again to see if it will help with my nails!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to pjsmum]

Many thanks, DL

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to DorsetLady]

Hello Dorset Lady

The name on my crystal file is Leighton Denny which I bought at Boots and it is the one my friend recommended. It cost £15/£16 for the larger version and I believe the smaller one is around £12. I must admit I baulked a bit at the price but I've had it for several months now and it's still going strong - I believe the label said it had a lifelong guarantee. There are many cheaper versions available but haven't tried them so can't give a comparison, but I know that most emery boards are useless for my nails which made the splitting and flaking problem worse. I've never been blessed with good nails but for the first time in my life I don't feel ashamed of them!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Celtic]

Many thanks! D.L.

[pjsmum in reply to Celtic]

Many thanks. pjsmum

[bowler]

Hi pjsmum

Both my thumb nails are split verticaly from the cutical to the tip, with wide deep ridges. I find that Neutrogena hand cream is very good, it really softens the nail ridges after filing them.

So far my other nails are OK.

[pjsmum in reply to bowler]

Many thanks. pjsmum

[Hidden]

Dear Everyone

I too had this problem and my GP sent me to see a skin specialist for an opinion on my vertically splitting nails- a woman doctor!. Her verdict was a late onset type of psoriasis linked to steroid medication and treatment options were either strong drugs - which may not work- or false nails.

Having never had false nails of any kind I took the plunge before my daughter's wedding this time last year and I went for a full set of acrylic nails initially. They were beautiful and I shall be ever grateful to Magda my manicurist who spent extra time and trouble to fix these nails to my horrible split ones and repeatedly repaired them if they fell off while growing out!

My real nails grew strongly beneath them as they were fully protected. I now have gel nails which are fine also.

It is not cheap as they need redoing every 2-3 weeks as real nails grow but otherwise a perfect solution and it boosts morale no end to have good hands.

I had a period without gel or acrylic nails for a few weeks and one or two nails started to split badly again- so I am back on the gel. Yes my natural nails are still a bit discoloured- but only on the nails where they were damaged and have grown thicker so I think they will grow out OK in time.

I am now investing in the same cosmetic treatment for 3 of my toenails which also have the same problem and have just bought some fabulous patent turquoise sandals for the summer in anticipation of some appropriate weather to wear them!.

Such treats are a real boost with this horrible PMR thing

[Annodomini]

I had horrible nails since a dose of Asian flu when I was 17 - a very long time ago. they were ridged and pitted with big gaps where the nail had come away from the nail bed. Fungal infections were suggested but the treatment did no good. I heard that these were symptoms of psoriasis and difficult to deal with. However, I tried OPI Nail Envy and the condition of my nails improved very quickly. I still have a few ridges, but no longer have to hide my nails under several coats of nail varnish. I'm not saying it would work for everyone, but it has helped me enormously. My toenails are another matter...