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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 346
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Hi everyone, i am on methotrexate and recently one of my big toe nails has split lengthways. The podiatrist said it is probably caused by methotrexate which weakens the nails. He has advised just to paint it with clear nail varnish to protect it from infection. I wondered if this has happened to anyone else.
Bevxx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
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That`s funny, because while my nails haven`t split, they do have ridges on them, and my podiatrist said not to wear nail varnish in case of fungal infection! Wouldn`t it be nice if everyone`s advice was consistent? Kathleen C x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/6/2009 Posts: 177
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Hi Bev
I have found my nails are much weaker since MTX, although i havn't had a toe nail split like that. My nails used to be really tough and now break at the slightest knock.
I tried Rimmel 5 in 1 clear varnish, which is a hardner, base coat and top coat and have found this to be very good. It also keeps the nail varnish from chipping and lasts much longer.
Superdrug have a 3 for 2 offer at the moment on Rimmel products.
Love Shirley x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/18/2010 Posts: 351 Location: Herne Bay Kent
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Hi Bev Your post is very interesting as my nails are an absolute mess. I have ridges in them going downwards and they are constantly splitting which can be very painful. However my toe nails seem to be fine as I always have them painted which seems to protect them. I never realised that methotrexate was the culprit though!! Best Wishes Sue 
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,110 Location: London
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Really interesting post!!! my fingernails now split and break all the time, didnt realise it was mtx though. My toenails have ridges on them too, I do use nail polish on my toe nails, just to make them look better lol!! At least now I have a reason. Waiting for a foot health appt in August, so see what they have to say BARBARA
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 714
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How spooky is that. We were talking about feet at Dinner tonight (you would not believe what gets discussed over our dinner table). My nails are not very good, particulary my toe nails. My Husband went to our GP's this morning and he said he kept on seeing people going in and out of this door in the surgery but around the corner whilst he was waiting for his appointment. His curiosity got the better of him and he got up to see if there was a sign on the door and it said "Chiropodist". I did not know that there was a Chiropodist service available at our GP's so that is definitely one on the list to talk to the GP about next time. My biggest struggle is actually cutting my nails as I do not have the strength to do it. I also have ridges in my nails and did not know this was linked to Methotrexate. How wonderful is this site  Jackie xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Jackie, I see the chiropodist (they prefer to be called podiatrist now) at my GP's surgery.
I have my nails cut and all hard skin removed, my feet feel fabulous afterwards!
I used to go every 6 weeks but now, as with everything else, the cuts have made it every 10 weeks. It was when I first saw the podiatrist at the hospital and got my insoles , he asked me if I have ever thought of having the hard skin removed and made me an appointment at my local health centre. We do get more hard skin than others because with RA the bones spread out and we end up putting pressure on the wrong parts of the foot.
My toenails are ok but I have vertical ridges on most of my fingernails now and they break easily. Pity we can't see a manicurist for free!
Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Hello
My finger nails are terrible and split so easily, but I am not on mtx - so not sure .
My toenails don't split but have ridges along them and I to cannot cut them.
I go to a chirop every 12 months - but I pay £27 each time. . ..
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/18/2010 Posts: 351 Location: Herne Bay Kent
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Hi Further to my earlier post I realised that I had ridges on my nails about a year before being diagnosed with RA. Having done some further investigating it is suggested that it can be an indication of RA so maybe the methotrexate is not to blame! It is so good to share our experiences on this site. Thanks everyone. Sue
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
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I must be the exception that proves the rule. I have always had strong nails so maybe I am just lucky. I have been on mxt for 9 years and my nails are very long and very strong. There hasn't been any change.
Sheila x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 838 Location: Nottinghamshire
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Interesting what Doreen put about having hard skin removed at her GP's. My feet are bad at the moment, I am at the orthotics soon for my new inserts, I will ask them if our PCT lets RA patients have this service at their doctors.
I have gel put on my finger nails, in fact the girl is coming this morning. The gel she puts on makes my nails feel stronger. I've been having it put on for over 8 years now. It's a painted on top of your nails, lots of colours to choose from. I use to have her every two weeks for infill's, but now because I am suppose to be watching the pennies, she comes every three weeks. Every three months or so, I have it soaked off, my nails do get thick with the build up, she then puts new on and we start again.
Paula x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi Paula I too get podiatry, hard skin removed and general footcare, through my GP. It used to be at the Health Centre a couple of days a week but its moved further away, bit frustrating but still a bonus to have the service so mustn't grumble (much as I'm tempted too!!)  Worth checking out Paula, Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 856
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Thanks for this- my nails have been splitting and flaking for a while- I never realised mtx was to blame either. I' m really cheesed off as I used to love having nice nails
Maria
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 336
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I've been having the same problems on toe nails and finger nails and even on the Sulpha before the Mtx so I've put it down to the RA. I too see the podietrist a my doctors surgery. My toe nails are the worst because of the pressure of the shoes.
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 346
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Hi everyone, thanks very much for your replies. It seems that most people seem to have problems with nails. I thought it was the ra causing the problems, all my nails have ridges on them, and the one that has split had a deep ridge on it which used to twinge for about a year. I put the ridge and twinging down to the fact that the toe seems to want to turn the opposite way to the nail, but the podiatrist said that my insoles are holding the toe in position as much as possible. Feet! who knew they would cause such problems when we started with ra! Still, after seeing other people's feet with ra recently, i feel quite lucky that mine are not too bad in comparison.
Many thanks
Bevxx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/13/2010 Posts: 786 Location: east anglia
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interesting, i have now had a good look and i have ridges but nothing else wrong at the moment with my nails,im on mtx injections thanks for info,must ask r/nurse about this. 
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 64 Location: Southampton
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HI All
I have just caught up with this thread and guess what my finger nails are forever splitting and a couple of them have ridges on them. I knew what to expect with mtx as my Dad also suffers and his finger nails became quite weak and started splltting as well.
I used to love my long nails now they look awful but I persever and just keep them short and I use OPI ridge filler (just started using this). It is quite expensive but I do like OPI nail products.
I also see a podiatrist but I go privately she cuts my nails, checks for ingrowing nails, smooths out the hard skin as well as fungal infections (again due to the RA & mtx I quite often get small infections).
Caroline
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