discolored toe nails

This month will be one year that I have been on the treatment (Pegasus and copegas).  No surprise my hair is thinning but I doing pretty well other wise.  
One thing I have noticed in is the nail on the big toe on one foot is brown while the nail on the other big toes is a funky whitish band through the middle.  
Is this familiar to anyone and what can I do about it?  I don't want to bring it up to my doctor because she follows up on my blood work by phone.  If I mention it to her then she will make me come into the office. I can't afford to go in the office very often because it is twenty miles from home.

[jdwithhcv]

Sounds like toenail fungus.  Unfortunately the drugs that take care of it (lamasil and sporanox) are really harsh on your liver.  Show your doc next time you're in the office.  I wouldn't make a special trip unless its really bothering you.  Meanwhile, don't file those nails, that spreads the fungus.  It takes a long time to get rid of it.

Good luck.

[Bill1954]

Good catch, JD.

Stay away from antifungal treatment until you discuss them with your doc. I was told to never take them—

Bill

[winner727]

I had funky nails  , {ripples  ,discoloration  ,also fungus .}  the fungus was because my hands were wet all the time from  electroplating for 30 yrs . but I remember early on ,my doc said something about the ripples and  other stuff {not the fungus} , are caused from  years of having hep . I did some very limited research ,seemed to confirm , now since on tx {peginterferon alpha 2b / ribavirin }  I see my nails look much better .  just throwing my two cents in  .   hope all goes well .

[annieCinMD]

I've heard of people having luck with various tree oils, eucalyptus (Vicks vapor rub), tea tree, etc. I have had toenail fungus for years, and found most doctors won't prescribe Lamisil even if you have a normal liver. I tried to get it before my diagnosis and no luck. Now a friend of mine went through the same thing and was able to convince his doctor's partner to write the prescription. He said it did work but he could feel how hard the drug was on his system, and was counting the days until it was over. I have tried the tree oils, but it turns out I'm allergic to them and have to stop.  I just paint my toe during the summer to try to hide the worst of it. Unfortunately, this seems to be a problem associated with aging. My mother is 82 and she has it on her fingernails, too.  ***** getting old :(

[Marcia2202]

My hepatologist prescribed fluconazole. It was originally prescribed against candida, but it takes care of all kinds of fungal disease. nails, candida, skin etc. I have been taking it once a week since almost the beginning of treatment and am still on it. That must be since September last year. My ALT is currently at 17.

So check with your hepatologist, if this would be an option for you. It has definitely helped me with the recurring nail fungus, which was extremely irritating, especially as a woman, because you contaminate your nail polish over and over.

[Bill1954]

While Marcia’s doctor apparently approved fluconazole for her particular use, I’d still tread with caution regarding any of the ‘****azole’ antifungal medications; they can cause elevated liver enzymes and occasionally liver damage—

Bill

[jdwithhcv]

About 15 years ago I took sporanox for toe nail fungus, which cleared but then recurred.  I then took Lamisil, which cleared the fungus for good.  

At the time I had undiagnosed Hep C.  The manufacturers of both drugs warn that you should perform regular liver function and enzyme tests while taking those drugs.  My PCP did not do any testing.  He is no longer my PCP.

Its nice to have fungus free toenails, but if I had to choose I would keep my liver instead.

jd

[sail10]

2 years ago i had a infected ( fungus ) toe nail i tried all kinds of stuff , not wanting to go on Medication ( lamasil ) . mY dermatoligist i had seen for a unrelated problem told me to mix Reglar White Vinegar 50/50 with water and soak my toe in it each day till new nail grows out and i did but found a better way . Itook a diabetic syringe and filled the sharp tip smooth , and cleaned out under the infected nail and twice a day just inject a little of the solution under the nail . It took 10 months but when the old infected nail was gone ( trimmed off ) i continued for about 2 more months and its been a year since and no problems . The Doctor told me Fungus cant live in a Vinegar enviroment but you have to keek it up till the nail grows completly out , and soaking was to time consuming , so i use my technique . Beleive it or not i am setting up a web site to sell this information and product i just gave for you and who ever reads this , and i know it works with little effort . nick

[annieCinMD]

My problem with this theory is that those of us who are not diabetic are going to have a hard time getting a diabetic syringe, unless they've changed the law over the past 21 years.

[Bill1954]

Boy; not to mention the lack of sterility of the solution.

[jdwithhcv]

A website to sell vinegar?  Wow - I just LOVE the internet!!!

[Tippyclubb]

I have a fungus on one toenail and did not treat it because of my liver.  Those drugs are hard on the liver and kidneys.  The odd thing is, since starting tx the fungus is clearing up.  Who knew?  

Now I can't resist this one as silly as it may be--you ready?

There's a fungus among us!

[annieCinMD]

It sounds like there are several among us!  I hope mine clears up from the TX. I always dread summer. All the other women have their nice mani-pedis, and I have to use really dark nail polish to try to hide it.

[GSDgirl]

Don't worry, I read somewhere the dark blue colors are the "in" thing this year.

And I would never put my feet in one of those tubs that tons of people have had their feet in.  And the tools they use..........I just can't even think about, I do my own.  IF they get doneLOL

[annieCinMD]

I totally agree. I've heard those places are how people can get the fungus in the first place.  I know I didn't because I've never had a pedicure. Manicure, I think once, ever. So long ago I don't remember. I'm more comfortable in sneaks anyway.

[mmitch]

What is TX? I heard soaking the nail daily in peroxide would also do the trick.

[Bill1028]

I had the same problem during 3 treatments and it cleared up a few months after treatment.  I didn't even have to inject anything under my nails.

mmitch, TX is for Texas and also treatment.

[still_laughing]

During TX, four of my nails began to turn dark grey from the outside of the nail in.  I was concerned about it but since TX was almost over, thought it better to wait and see if it cleared itself up. It did, however, after three months past TX, I see it springing up on my thumb.  At the most, I will, use tea tree oil topically or an herb internally, with antigungal properties. Not much for meds.  My treatment was very difficult but beisde times in the hospital for kidney infections, I probably took an over the counter pain med about once a month.  Great at toughing itout and my son was a terrific source of comedy.  Always picked up my spirits and I guess...endorphines etc.

[sunspot]

I am SVR and got a toenail fungus starting about 8 months ago. I took a daily dose of Lamisil for 4 months. At the third month, a clear part started to grow out but it changed back to milk white before I finished the pills. I had a liver panel 6 weeks into the treatment and everything was good.

I’m now looking into starting Zeta Clear or Fungisil. Marcie, thanks for the tip on Fluconazole. I’ll look into that.

[Marte313]

How about post tx? Should I stay away from antifungals until SVR?