Docetaxel chemo: How did you avoid having nail issues?

Posted by majark @majark, Oct 22 10:46am

I am halfway through 6 cycle docetaxel regimen, and although I have not had nail issues yet, there is a concern they may be coming.

So my question is this – in looking over things on the Internet it appears that folks are suggesting Polybalm or some type of Euceryn or Vaseline applied to the nails and nail beds to avoid problems. I’ve seen some I recommendations for the Polybalm, which is expensive, but others are saying it’s really not much different than straight Vaseline or Euceryn or similar

Does anyone here have any experience with that, or other recommendations? Just trying to get ahead of this if I can.

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majark | @majark | Oct 23 10:17am

In reply to @round5 "I iced my fingers during all of my infusions to prevent neuropathy. I am over a..." + (show)

@round5 Thanks for the reply. How did you ice them during the infusions? Cold packs?

round5 | @round5 | Oct 23 12:44pm

In reply to @majark "@round5 Thanks for the reply. How did you ice them during the infusions? Cold packs?" + (show)

@majark

round5 | @round5 | Oct 23 12:52pm

In reply to @majark "@round5 Thanks for the reply. How did you ice them during the infusions? Cold packs?" + (show)

Small basin with ice/water for fingers. I would dip them for as long as I could stand it then out just a few seconds and back in. For my scalp and toes I used ice packs and my partner would change them out every 20 minutes or so. Never lost any hair and my neuropathy I already had to toes never got worse.

dpfbanks | @dpfbanks | Oct 27 8:52pm

In reply to @florida11 "I finished my 6th infusion two weeks ago and no such issues. My side effects were..." + (show)

@florida11 My hub had the eye watering too - didn’t expect that one - actually, liquid tears were recommended and they helped. That, and finishing the chemo 😉
Good luck!

dpfbanks | @dpfbanks | Oct 27 8:54pm

In reply to @majark "@round5 Thanks for the reply. How did you ice them during the infusions? Cold packs?" + (show)

@majark we did the ice with the gloves and booties you can get on Amazon - worked well. The first session we just used ice and we left a mess at the infusion center - but we were not prepared for how to do it. Important point is no neuropathy or nail issues!

florida11 | @florida11 | Oct 28 4:43am

In reply to @dpfbanks "@florida11 My hub had the eye watering too - didn’t expect that one - actually, liquid..." + (show)

@dpfbanks

Thank you for sharing. Do you know how long the watery eyes lasted after he finished chemo? Tomorrow will be three weeks after my final/6th infusion and my eyes are still watering.

I hope you both are doing well!

dpfbanks | @dpfbanks | Oct 28 5:29am

In reply to @florida11 "@dpfbanks Thank you for sharing. Do you know how long the watery eyes lasted after he..." + (show)

@florida11 my hub’s watery eyes from chemo lasted until 6-8 week after #6. He also has ankle swelling - they can be related side effects. I hope it resolves quicker for you - the artificial tears help- seems weird to add tears, but it helps.

clarkb | @clarkb | Oct 29 10:12am

I wish I had iced my hands for my 6x infusions, last summer -fall. I had nail issues and neuropathy in both my hands and feet. Also lost my hair / buzzed it off, heard stories of the pain of ice caps and I didn't care about the hair enough to do that, had to wear a hat most of the time b/c I was "bald" during the winter. The hand neuropathy (finger tips) took 6 months + to return to 90+% normal and my feet are still somewhat off but my dad had neuropathy so that may be inherited. My balance isn't great but I'm tall and that has never been my strong point, ha. I had to buy a device (JJ CARE Blanket Lifter, Amazon) to hold the sheets and blankets off of my toes as they hurt when I was sleeping, it really helped! Nails and hair grew back although my hair is much harder to manage now which my hair person says she sees all of the time with both males and females post chemo. 59 y/o and almost 2 years since this "journey' began. Best to all of you!