CLL and Brittle nails

[BayfieldAnnette]

Does anyone that's got CLL and on chemo tablets get brittle nails.

[annmcgowan]

Hi I have brittle nails with Ibruitinib. I use Biotin and nail strengtheners like hard as nails.

Good luck

Ann

[Panz in reply to annmcgowan]

Nails!!! What nails??? lol

🙏☘️😍💕

[annmcgowan in reply to Panz]

I used to have long strong nails. Alas no more sounds like you are the same or even worse.☹️

[bkoffman CLL CURE Hero]

Very common on ibrutinib.

[GMa27]

During IV chemo had to take my acrylics off. Brittle nails. Used nail polish with biotin in it. After chemo nails were super strong.

[Mick491]

Yes got brittle nails on ibrutinib. Also having skin peeling and splitting on both hands and feet.

Mick

[210savannah in reply to Mick491]

Me too! I told my oncologist and he acted like he had not heard of that side effect. 🙄🙄 Its really the only problem I have other than the occasional mouth sore.

[Mick491 in reply to 210savannah]

Get the mouth sores too. But it's better than the alternative lol

[MF79]

Not great 3 years post FCR. I keep them short

[KL2018]

Get this- I am on W & W and have nail issues! Pre-diagnosis I found my nails changing, becoming very ridged. I wonder if it is also just CLL related?

[Penkman]

I do since I started on Ibrutinib. Been on it since last September and my nails have grown thinner and weaker to the point where they split so easily making even the simple task of pealing an orange with them impossible. They are also growing much quicker which may explain why they become thinner if the growing process changes it's emphasis to length rather than thickness.

Several related issues on this site have suggested taking Biotin and I asked my Haematologist two weeks ago if it was ok to take and he said it was.

I have started taking a 5000 microgram capsule once a day to see if it helps but I am assuming that as visible nails are "dead" that it will only start working on new growth.

I try and keep my nails cut really short but when they do split, I use my wife's clear Sally Hansen Diamond Strength Nail Hardener which helps them splitting further and seems to stay on for about a week.

[livinglifewell in reply to Penkman]

I took the 5,000 mcg of biotin daily for 4 months and there was NO improvement in my finger & toenails. Still weak, ridged, split, torn easily, and too soft to be filed. The cuticles are in rough shape too. I read on pub-med that something is happening at the nail plate level.

[Big_Dee]

Hello BayfieldAnnette

I am not sure what you mean by chemo pills, but I just finished IV Bendamustine & Rituximab. I was told not to take Biotin while on chemo. Check with your doctor, hope you get it sorted out.

[BayfieldAnnette in reply to Big_Dee]

Thank you my husband on ibrutinib.

[pkpayne]

I'm on Ibrutinib and Venetoclax and my nails are like paper. I take 10,000 mg of Biotin daily but I don't think it's helped. My nails were very thin prior to starting any of this. My skin is also very very dry.

Paula

[Villager]

5th year on Ibrutinib. Occasional brittle nails. Primary side effects are bruising (forearms), night leg cramps. I had an episode of mouth sores. My dentist prescribed a mouthwash that helped. “Wavy hair” a real anomaly. I would attribute this drug and the knowledge of my oncologist-hematologist to prolonging my current healthy life.

[halldp in reply to Villager]

Smiling as I read your post. I have nail brittleness, splitting finger skin, cramps, occasional mouth sores and wavy to curly hair if I let my hair grow out a little. My barber was amazed recently when I had a haircut. Being Swiss and Western European descent my hair is thin. Ibrutinib has been a blessing to me as are my Doc’s at UCSD Moore’s Cancer center and my wonderful RN wife.

Yes - Also I have all the bruising, skin pre-cancers and some that have to be cut out by the Derm Doc, bleeding (I work with my hands with tools). Most dangerous are any infections I may get. Lastly, stay positive, exercise, walk and love others to push through those afternoons when I’m feeling soo exhausted.

[Villager in reply to halldp]

Yes, life certainly is an adventure.

Cherish every moment!

[annmcgowan in reply to Villager]

Hi which mouth wash did your dentist recommend? I use Difflam and Gengigel products, both are good.

Ann

[LynnB1947]

Very similar to Villager (@Villager) - 5 yrs now on ibrutinib. Same side effects but except no mouth sores. I get leg cramps, finger cramps, hand cramps, torso cramps, etc. I guess cramps everywhere except for heart cramps, thank goodness. I split a nail this morning. When working outside I wear gloves to protect the nails. Fatigue is also a side effect.

[DrLV]

I have been on ibrutinib for almost seven years. Brittle nails is a common problem, but it sure beats the alternative. LOL

[country76]

Congratulations!!! Do you stay on Venataclax until ,o1 Cll on sensitive test?