Chemo nail damage

Less than one minute read time.

31 Jul 2021

I finished my 6th and final round of chemo 3 weeks ago and I noticed in the last 2 cycles my finger nails were tender, feeling bruised, like I managed to shut both hands in a door. Today I removed the UV nail varnish that was meant to keep them nicely protected though chemo, only to find a strange discolouration across the middle of each nail. The pain has eased and I am really glad that I still have them as I know chemo can make nails completely discolour and fall off, but I'm wondering…..did the nail varnish help and would they have been worse, or would this have been all that would have happened anyway. I guess this will remain one of life's mysteries!

In other news, surgery is planned for 10 days time and I am really trying not to think about it too much. I know at some point I will need to remove my ostrich head from the sand, maybe pack a bag, read up what I can and cannot do, but for now blissful ignorance is a good place to be.

NBl over 3 years ago

If it’s any consolation, my nails look worse! And I didn’t use nail varnish…22 days post last chemo and the “trapped in a door” feeling is just about lifting!
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Irishgirl16 over 3 years ago in reply to NBl

Gosh really, sorry to hear that. This stuff really poisons us, doesn’t it
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Dokur Kingfisher over 3 years ago

My nails have the pale lower half and white stripe 3 cycles in, guess I've got more to 'look forward' to on that front.

Hope the surgery goes well, think it's natural to not think too much about it, you just have to grit your teeth and go with the flow. Take care, xx
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GNTplease over 3 years ago

I love your blog, just catching up, I’m at the head in the sand especially about surgery! Session 6 (of 6 - hopefully!) today, any hints and tips for surgery please for if I get my head out of sand sometime soon! Hope your nails are feeling better? Or did you just cover them up again!!
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Irishgirl16 over 3 years ago in reply to GNTplease

Hi, I covered up my nails,again, but they are no longer sore to touch and my hands feel a little stronger.

Surgery - there was a fair bit of waiting around beforehand, but nothing special I think you need to prepare. They put the anaesthetic in via a cannula in my hand and my wrist felt a bit sore for a few seconds before I dropped off. When I csm to in recovery, I think the consultant spoke to me, but I was so groggy I am not sure!

They let me go home after 2 hours, and after I'd eaten and been to the loo. More waiting…..

I was allowed to shower, just keep dressing dry, and I was up and about indoors the next day and outdoors the day after and I have not had any pain, it's just uncomfortable , especially to sleep. I am using M&S surgical bra day and night and a I wore the compression stockings for a week.

Good luck x
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