Geri Posted June 10, 2005 Share Posted June 10, 2005 A few weeks ago Addie started a thread about finger nails, the strengthening or weakening during and after chemo. I said at the time that I would ask my onc (who is head of thoracic oncology) what the deal was. His answer today was.........I have no idea!! He did however mention that his speciality is getting rid of lung cancer (which he did in my case) and very little appeared else to be of interest to him. Soooo, my suggestion would be for someone still in tx to ask the infusion nurses, they seem to know more about this sort of thing than the drs anyway. The question is: why do weak nails get stronger and strong nails get weaker after chemo? If anyone can find the answer to this question they will not be awarded the Nobel Prize or anything but some of us will have our curiosity quenched. Thanks Geri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted June 11, 2005 Share Posted June 11, 2005 Geri, This isn't an answer, I'm sure, but when Mike went on Taxotere he was warned his nails could come off. Yes, come off. He was told to put nail hardener on his nails before treatment. We did treat and had no problems , but I was thinking if Taxotere can do that, I guess other kinds of chemo could affect the nails in various degrees.. You think? Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted June 11, 2005 Share Posted June 11, 2005 Geri, This isn't an answer, I'm sure, but when Mike went on Taxotere he was warned his nails could come off. Yes, come off. He was told to put nail hardener on his nails before treatment. We did treat and had no problems , but I was thinking if Taxotere can do that, I guess other kinds of chemo could affect the nails in various degrees.. You think? Sue Tarceva " cured " my wife's toenail fungal infection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chloesmom Posted June 11, 2005 Share Posted June 11, 2005 I think a partial answer is that chemo kills fast growing cells, such as cancer cells, stomach cells, and hair and nail cells. That's why we lose the hair and have nausea, and hopefully lose the cancer cells along the way. I lost a couple of toenails with chemo, but I don't think they grew back any differently than they were before. My hair and eyebrows and lashes thinned but didn't lose them all. Nothing seems different when it grew back. I know others have said that their hair is different. Some say it stays different, and some say it reverts back to what it was. Guess all this is a long answer for I don't know! Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimmek Posted June 11, 2005 Share Posted June 11, 2005 No answers here, but when mom had chemo,everything I read said something about losing the nails, might be a side effect. Mom not only did not lose her nails, but hers too are much much stronger, longer and prettier than they have ever been. Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted June 11, 2005 Share Posted June 11, 2005 my little toenail fell off and there was a new one growing in underneath it. I had the chronological horizontal lines with every major systemic trauma. I have vertical lines now on all my nails. My eyebrows never did come back as full and dark as they had been. Menopause too now may have had an effect on eyebrows. Don't know. Cindi o'h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted June 11, 2005 Share Posted June 11, 2005 I found no change in my nails. If anything I think they became harder. They are so hard I can't bend them. And the toe nails. Wow, I have to soak them for hours to soften enough for clipping with a tree pruner!!! Rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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