[TevyesDaughter]

Just a quick question:
Is fingernail loss "normal"? My nails which grew out like crazy in the beginning are now tuning white in the nailbed and lifting, it is really painful if I accidently tap them on something. I have about 1/8 of an inch between the white area and the cuticle. This is no longer a vanity issue but I really do not know what to do.

I finally obtained an appt. with an RSD/CRSP specialist at Beth Israel in NYC, I see her on December 12th, I am honestly hoping that this is going to be the doctor who can help me not only understand what is happening, but also help me gain some control over this disease that has taken over my life this past year.

Any suggestions welcome,
Thank you!
Rivkah

[ali12]

Hey Rivkah,
I am so sorry about the problems you are having ((hugs))
I don't have nail loss. My nails started to grow really fast when I was diagnosed with RSD. It does say that nails can become brittle with RSD though. I am sorry that I can't help you further, Rivkah.
I really hope that the new RSD speciallist you are going to see will be happy to treat you, you deserve to get better after everything you have been through. I really admire how you are coping ((hugs)). I am hoping to go and see a new PM doctor soon. My PM doctor is pretty rubbish and doesn't really understand how much pain I am in.
Take care and sorry that I can't help you that much
GOOD LUCK WHEN YOU GO AND SEE THE RSD SPECIALLIST
Love
Alison

[Sandel]

Hi there Rivkah

I am not sure if I have any sugestions but I will tell you whats happening with mine... sometimes that can be just as helpful and in just knowing you are not alone in this. I have lost 3 toenails so far.. it's weird because in all 3 cases there was a thin nail growing below it, like it's a mix up in the method the toenails grow.. the new nails a shell thats thickening but it has nasty ridging.. I feel like a crab outgrowing it's shell waiting, for the inner shell to harden.

My first toenail to go was the big one on the left and I think it was affected by a lumbar block... because though all my toes turned rosy red the left big toe stayed a deep darker red hue for a couple months afterwards then got white and finaly pretty much just fell off.

My finger nails are growing fast and the nails are thick still but they have a dryer more flakey quality and they break off weirdly like in layers.. it's hard to explain but instead of ripping across as normal nails do they rip down and in layers and pieces kinda like when you chip a bar of soap. After picking up a box my thum hurts and I look and the nail is white and thick looking along the top of the nail I look at it sideways and I see its like 2-3 times as thick because it's chipped into in layers all along the trimmed nail edge, an I trim it hopeing that none of the chips are deeper than the quick line.


I don't know if I am making any sense here Rivkah but I thought I'd try.. I also have a good friend also with RSD and her injury was to her shoulder and arm, the nails on her hands are realy very thin and they are ridging downwards and cracking along tha ridges into her quick she catches them on things all the time and tears them painfully quite abit.

Sugestions for nail care I am looking forward to as well..
Take care,
Sandra

[tayla4me]

Rivkah,

Great news about your appointment, I hope it works out well for you.
My nails grow way too quickly since RSD/CRPS. They are not strong but they are long.
Nails can be a barometer to our health and sometimes at a period of being really unwell there is a reaction in the nail bed at the same time so they might grow out with a ridge or bump etc.
Hopefully there will be a nice new nail underneath for you so you don't have the pain of an exposed nail bed.
The other possible problem may be an infection , so it maybe worthwhile to check with your doctor for that.
My toenails are probably the most ugly part of my body I have a podiatrist visit but she doesn't make them prettier she just chops them.
No foot modelling for me
Take care
Tayla

[theoneRogue420]

Rivkah,

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your toenails, it sounds painful.

I have the exact opposite problem. My toenails are very ingrown and I must have four of them removed... the big toenail and the one next to it on both feet. I am in the middle of wart treatments, then on to the removals ouch! At least I like the podiatrist... he's a nice young man, fresh out of school.

Sandel, that was a wonderful description of what happens to my fingernails, too. They break in layers, and are thicker and more ridged than pre-rsd... yet more brittle, too. They are also yellowing. They embarrass me.

The only "tips" I have are what I do to my own nails. I do a lot of filing. It smooths out the ridges and takes off the top yellow layer, too. The nail is much whiter then. I also get thick hard cuticles, so I file them off too. I go through a LOT of files these days, lol.

It really is amazing just how many body systems rsd affects. But then again, I have several diseases that have many symptoms, so I get easily confused as to what goes with what, I'm afraid.

The newest one is something called an "Arnold-Chiari malformation". I'll find out more in about ten days after an MRI.

Good luck in solving the nail issues, everyone. It sucks that one of the few outward signs of rsd is ugly nails.

[TevyesDaughter]

Thank you all for the support and the encouragement especially about the new Dr. I can't wait! I do have an IME (independent medical exam) for workmans comp coming up on Wednesday....oy.

My fingernails grow quickly, but they are also turning WHITE and lifting, I am really hoping there is a nail underneath as I am not looking forward to an exposed nail bed, especially on my fingers. My toenails have been fine thus far, keeping fingers crossed. I found a product called "Revia'nail" by Colomer out of Spain, it really keeps my ridges filled and prevents any tearing (so far so good) the product is a bit pricey for a clear coat (10.00 USD) but for me it has been a nail saver at least in regards to ridging, tearing and chipping.

Thank you all again!
Rivkah

[Tiril]

ADMIN ADDITION EDITED IN:
JUST A WARNING THAT THE IMAGES LINKED TO BELOW ARE VERY GRAPHIC AND MAY BE UPSETTING TO SOME





http://rsdrx.com/rsdphoto.htm

look like anything can happen with CRPS

[Imahotep]

My nails are ridged and brittle.

I spend a lot of time trying to help their condition. Diet and removal of dead material is much of this process. Some are improving a little.

I never had a dramatic effect on nails and skin since onset.

[DDayMBB]

My fingernails on the really affected hand grow than break off into the bed, also I have hair loss on my arm and right leg between my foot and knee

[mrsD]

a poster on PN board here Silverlady...
She has autoimmune Sjorgren's syndrome. And is losing her toenails.

Have you been evaluated for autoimmune disease? Silverlady is very
helpful... send her a PM or post on Peripheral Neuropathy.