My nails had started to curl in and had ridges for the last few years before diagnosis. They split and peeled. It got worse toward the end of treatment.
Now? They look awesome. Slightly thin on one or two nails, but I have to keep them cut back they grow so fast and healthy!
It had to be related to inflammation of hep c. I still have cirrhosis, but nails are nice..
xo Karen:)
dustbear said
Aug 8, 2013
PJ wrote:
I was just wondering if anyone else noticed a problem with their nails? For at least the last 10-15 years, the fingernails on my right hand have not grown correctly. They have dents in the middle, and just grow on the edges, etc. I just keep all of my nails trimmed short. The left hand was always fine....odd.
I am now starting my 5th week of treatment, and it seems my nails are growing more evenly and I am thrilled to think that this is a sign that my liver is doing better?
Anyone else experience this side effect from HCV?
p
I found this thread today as I wanted to know if anyone else has fingernail issues.
Both my MD and hepatologist didnt say much either.
I've had hepc for over 30 yrs and in the last 10 yrs I have developed horizontal grooves in both thumbs and 1st fingers. My nails have always been soft with hangnails and peel off in layers at the tips. When I started tx in Jan the grooves got noticably deeper. 2 months later the grooves slowly went away. Now 7 months into tx, my nails are smooth and flat with no ridges, hard, dont peel, no hangnails and they are growing like weeds!
Kirstin said
Jun 3, 2011
Thanks Greg, I am glad for you & your perfect figure! Now get outta here! lol
I went for my labs today, they were marked urgent so I should have the results by 4 this afternoon.. Fingers crossed! xxx
PJ, I admire your patience, oh boy, my have flown right out of the window right now. I just need some good news.. actually any news really..
I got on the scale earlier, I have lost a little but not much.
LOL At your nurse comment, too funny
Greg said
Jun 2, 2011
Hi PJ, Kirstin and Elizabeth, i'm not going to talk about fingernails or weight gain...lol my figure is just right.
Just wanted to wish PJ and Kirstin all the best for your results. Elizabeth I went for a swing with my grand-daughter the other day and thought of you swinging in the park that day. Good luck, fingers crossed. Greg
Now that I think of it...I might be gaining bit of weight.
bethland said
Jun 2, 2011
PJ
yeah my fingernails were getting dents in them prior to tx as well......during tx my thumb nails fell off ...one became infected and sore ..
They are still trying to grow back...post tx the rest of my nails are harder ,shinier ,less ridges ..So glad that its all over ..its a difficult time i wish you all the best at getting through to the last shot.
elizabeth
PJ said
Jun 2, 2011
Thank you! The reason that I have to wait is because I'm in a drug study and the drug company says that's the way it will be. Even my docs won't know 'til then.
And you will not believe this, but I gained 2 lbs!!!!! This is totally unfair. Most food doesn't even taste that good, I've totally lost the sweet tooth and yet somehow I managed to gain weight?????? After two weeks, I'd lost 1 1/2, and thought, that's fine, nice and slow, and now this week I'm back to slightly higher than I was in the beginning???? They were laughing at me because I told my nurse, "But you promised me a weight loss plan."
My EKG had one abnormality, so I had to do a second one, which was normal, then another an hour later, which was the same as the first. The doctor came in and explained that the "important parts" of the test were normal, and she didn't feel there was any problem since I have no symptoms of any heart issues. The nurse also told me that the results after the computer reads it maybe be different than the little piece of paper it spits out immediately.
Whatever, I'm not too worried about my ticker. Now the weight gain - that really, really irritates me.
Kirstin, best of luck to YOU with your 4 week labs....I will be waiting impatiently to hear :).
-- Edited by PJ on Thursday 2nd of June 2011 07:56:36 PM
Kirstin said
Jun 2, 2011
Your an absolute sweetheart PJ
But no! I am not too skinny!, I am a very healthy 62 kilos so I dont need to put on any weight. I wake every morning hoping that I have lost my appetite but it hits me like a train & off I go rummaging through the fridge.. Damn food
I go for my four week labs tomorrow but I have already instructed my nurse to call me as soon as the results have come in. I have an appointment at the clinic on monday but the 2 days of anxiousness would kill me!. Why do you have to wait until after 12 weeks?
I know you can do it, fingers crossed for the best possible results on your labs PJ, you deserve it xxxx
PJ said
Jun 2, 2011
Kirstin,
thanks for the input and it makes good sense to me!!
Wow, that is great about your appetite though, since you were too skinny to begin with, correct ? I know we never want to gain weight but in your case it might be a good thing?
I know I'm not losing a lot of weight, as my lack of physical activity kind of offsets my lower caloric intake. Maybe a couple of pounds? Will find out today but my pants don't really feel looser yet.
Four week labs today - hoping for UNDIE even though I won't get to know until after 12 weeks.
Take care, pj
Kirstin said
Jun 2, 2011
Hi PJ,
I searched the net for an answer to your question, I didnt find much but I did find this;
"In fact, nail changes or abnormalities are often the result of nutritional deficiencies or other underlying conditions such as an illness that show up in the nails. For example, brittle nails signify possible iron deficiency, thyroid problems, impaired liver function, and possible circulation problems. Therefore, it's important to understand that nail changes may be a sign of a number of disorders elsewhere in the body that requires medical attention."
Going by that, the 'impaired liver function' part, it may be that if your liver is becoming healthier then your nails will improve as well.. Thats just my take on it though...?? I could be wrong.
My fingernails seem to be stronger now but I think it's due to not working anymore (I wanted to but I am chef & once my boss found out about the HepC I was no longer needed.. I can understand, sharp implements & blood.....)
We have spoken before about your loss of appetite but I seem to be completely opposite.. I dont know if anyone else has experienced this, or if its another SX but my appetite has seemed to have increased.. damn it!
PJ said
Jun 2, 2011
I was just wondering if anyone else noticed a problem with their nails? For at least the last 10-15 years, the fingernails on my right hand have not grown correctly. They have dents in the middle, and just grow on the edges, etc. I just keep all of my nails trimmed short. The left hand was always fine....odd.
I am now starting my 5th week of treatment, and it seems my nails are growing more evenly and I am thrilled to think that this is a sign that my liver is doing better?
Now? They look awesome. Slightly thin on one or two nails, but I have to keep them cut back they grow so fast and healthy!
It had to be related to inflammation of hep c. I still have cirrhosis, but nails are nice..
xo Karen:)
I found this thread today as I wanted to know if anyone else has fingernail issues.
Both my MD and hepatologist didnt say much either.
I've had hepc for over 30 yrs and in the last 10 yrs I have developed horizontal grooves in both thumbs and 1st fingers. My nails have always been soft with hangnails and peel off in layers at the tips. When I started tx in Jan the grooves got noticably deeper. 2 months later the grooves slowly went away. Now 7 months into tx, my nails are smooth and flat with no ridges, hard, dont peel, no hangnails and they are growing like weeds!
Thanks Greg, I am glad for you & your perfect figure! Now get outta here! lol
I went for my labs today, they were marked urgent so I should have the results by 4 this afternoon.. Fingers crossed! xxx
PJ, I admire your patience, oh boy, my have flown right out of the window right now. I just need some good news.. actually any news really..
I got on the scale earlier, I have lost a little but not much.
LOL At your nurse comment, too funny
Hi PJ, Kirstin and Elizabeth,
i'm not going to talk about fingernails or weight gain...lol my figure is just right.
Just wanted to wish PJ and Kirstin all the best for your results. Elizabeth I went for a swing with my grand-daughter the other day and thought of you swinging in the park that day.
Good luck, fingers crossed.
Greg
Now that I think of it...I might be gaining bit of weight.
PJ
yeah my fingernails were getting dents in them prior to tx as well......during tx my thumb nails fell off ...one became infected and sore ..
They are still trying to grow back...post tx the rest of my nails are harder ,shinier ,less ridges ..So glad that its all over ..its a difficult time i wish you all the best at getting through to the last shot.
elizabeth
Thank you! The reason that I have to wait is because I'm in a drug study and the drug company says that's the way it will be. Even my docs won't know 'til then.
And you will not believe this, but I gained 2 lbs!!!!! This is totally unfair. Most food doesn't even taste that good, I've totally lost the sweet tooth and yet somehow I managed to gain weight??????
After two weeks, I'd lost 1 1/2, and thought, that's fine, nice and slow, and now this week I'm back to slightly higher than I was in the beginning???? They were laughing at me because I told my nurse, "But you promised me a weight loss plan."
My EKG had one abnormality, so I had to do a second one, which was normal, then another an hour later, which was the same as the first. The doctor came in and explained that the "important parts" of the test were normal, and she didn't feel there was any problem since I have no symptoms of any heart issues. The nurse also told me that the results after the computer reads it maybe be different than the little piece of paper it spits out immediately.
Whatever, I'm not too worried about my ticker. Now the weight gain - that really, really irritates me.
Kirstin, best of luck to YOU with your 4 week labs....I will be waiting impatiently to hear :).
-- Edited by PJ on Thursday 2nd of June 2011 07:56:36 PM
Your an absolute sweetheart PJ
But no! I am not too skinny!, I am a very healthy 62 kilos so I dont need to put on any weight. I wake every morning hoping that I have lost my appetite but it hits me like a train & off I go rummaging through the fridge.. Damn food
I go for my four week labs tomorrow but I have already instructed my nurse to call me as soon as the results have come in. I have an appointment at the clinic on monday but the 2 days of anxiousness would kill me!. Why do you have to wait until after 12 weeks?
I know you can do it, fingers crossed for the best possible results on your labs PJ, you deserve it
xxxx
thanks for the input and it makes good sense to me!!
Wow, that is great about your appetite though, since you were too skinny to begin with, correct
I know I'm not losing a lot of weight, as my lack of physical activity kind of offsets my lower caloric intake. Maybe a couple of pounds? Will find out today but my pants don't really feel looser yet.
Four week labs today - hoping for UNDIE even though I won't get to know until after 12 weeks.
Take care,
pj
Hi PJ,
I searched the net for an answer to your question, I didnt find much but I did find this;
"In fact, nail changes or abnormalities are often the result of nutritional deficiencies or other underlying conditions such as an illness that show up in the nails. For example, brittle nails signify possible iron deficiency, thyroid problems, impaired liver function, and possible circulation problems. Therefore, it's important to understand that nail changes may be a sign of a number of disorders elsewhere in the body that requires medical attention."
http://www.nutritional-supplement-educational-centre.com/vitamins-for-hair-and-nail-growth.html
Going by that, the 'impaired liver function' part, it may be that if your liver is becoming healthier then your nails will improve as well.. Thats just my take on it though...?? I could be wrong.
My fingernails seem to be stronger now but I think it's due to not working anymore (I wanted to but I am chef & once my boss found out about the HepC I was no longer needed.. I can understand, sharp implements & blood.....)
We have spoken before about your loss of appetite but I seem to be completely opposite.. I dont know if anyone else has experienced this, or if its another SX but my appetite has seemed to have increased.. damn it!
I was just wondering if anyone else noticed a problem with their nails? For at least the last 10-15 years, the fingernails on my right hand have not grown correctly. They have dents in the middle, and just grow on the edges, etc. I just keep all of my nails trimmed short. The left hand was always fine....odd.
I am now starting my 5th week of treatment, and it seems my nails are growing more evenly and I am thrilled to think that this is a sign that my liver is doing better?
Anyone else experience this side effect from HCV?
pj