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Yellow Nail Syndrome
My father has been suffering with the effects of Yellow Nail Syndrom for several years now. He's had pleurodesis on both lungs and is currently suffering with very profound lower extremity edema. Does anybody know of any way to find a physician in the Carolinas who have experience dealing with this disorder? His local physicians are stumped.
Hi Mike, sorry to hear that you have joined our clan of people with YNS.
I found that my nails cleared up after about a year. I lost both big toe nails, both thumb nails and my right forefinger nail in that time. I take 500-1000mg Vitamin E in capsule form each day and that has helped. I also get my GP to prescribe Itraconozole when they get really brown. In between losing the nails they do appear to be quite normal for a while. I eventually had both big toe nails removed as they kept getting infected when they were detaching. Both of my thumb nails started to detach a few months ago and I caught one of them last week & tore it right back. I strapped it back into place for a few days till the soreness subsided and then loosened the nail folds and removed it. I did the same with my other thumb when I caught it on a door handle last year. It's annoying but you get used to it. I'm surprised that your dermatologist said that the nails would clear up when the sinusitis did - in my experience I have a runny nose & cough 24/7 & it never clears up. The main thing with sinusitis is to watch for the phlegm changing colour due to infection. My dermatologist, who seemed to know a bit about YNS, said that I should always have a course of Amoxycillin 500mg to prevent the infection spreading to my chest. Unfortunately, I am on my second chest infection of the year and now need a two week course rather than the one week which I used to have. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining and I'm not suggesting that your condition will get worse, but it's useful to know these things so that you're not in the dark like I was when I was diagnosed.
If you just want to ask for people's experiences, just post back here & I'm sure that someone will share with you. Take care.
Katie
I found that my nails cleared up after about a year. I lost both big toe nails, both thumb nails and my right forefinger nail in that time. I take 500-1000mg Vitamin E in capsule form each day and that has helped. I also get my GP to prescribe Itraconozole when they get really brown. In between losing the nails they do appear to be quite normal for a while. I eventually had both big toe nails removed as they kept getting infected when they were detaching. Both of my thumb nails started to detach a few months ago and I caught one of them last week & tore it right back. I strapped it back into place for a few days till the soreness subsided and then loosened the nail folds and removed it. I did the same with my other thumb when I caught it on a door handle last year. It's annoying but you get used to it. I'm surprised that your dermatologist said that the nails would clear up when the sinusitis did - in my experience I have a runny nose & cough 24/7 & it never clears up. The main thing with sinusitis is to watch for the phlegm changing colour due to infection. My dermatologist, who seemed to know a bit about YNS, said that I should always have a course of Amoxycillin 500mg to prevent the infection spreading to my chest. Unfortunately, I am on my second chest infection of the year and now need a two week course rather than the one week which I used to have. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining and I'm not suggesting that your condition will get worse, but it's useful to know these things so that you're not in the dark like I was when I was diagnosed.
If you just want to ask for people's experiences, just post back here & I'm sure that someone will share with you. Take care.
Katie
Hi Katie,
I have had this ##@#@# affliction for about 2 years now. The nails on my hands have reduced back by around 50 to 75%, with the nail beds showing. I kept them a bit longer for a while but the dirt just accumulated under them and they looked even more disgusting. I eventually attacked them with nail clippers ( very thick in some places) and paired them back as far as I could with nail files etc. I have some stuff from the dermatologist (Thymol 4% in 70% SVI ) that I paint on and that seems to keep the colour from getting too bad, but I still get the ridging of the nail and the curvature. I did not treat my toe nails as a comparison check and have lost one thus far, and they are much yellower so it appears to be doing something.
I am with you on the infection of the sinus, and have so far had two treatments of antibiotics, one when I was in the UK on holiday and another here in Oz. I just hope it does not get into my lungs...
What I don't know is if this condition gradually gets worse or, if it stops at a variable predetermined point. IE will I get worse or have I a chance at staying where I am? A total cure would be nice but does not seem on the cards.
You made me wince on your description of snagging your nail - yewouch!
My cough seems to come and go throughout the day, I am ok sleeping and waking up in the morning - then the fun starts. A hot shower gets things loosened up and I am chasing tissues for a couple of hours, then it dries up till mid afternoon when the coughing starts. The coughing usually settles down again during the evening.
I also find it quite debilitating, my energy levels are way down and I get really fed up with it. But compared to others including yourself I have got it lucky!!
Doctors thus far have not proved to be very helpful or knowledgeable, so I now suspect that I will have to educate them via this forum.
Keep a positive spin on things. I think we need a new name for YNS - I am sure you can think of a few....!
Keep smiling, and may the bottomless box of tissues be ever at your side :D
Mike.
I have had this ##@#@# affliction for about 2 years now. The nails on my hands have reduced back by around 50 to 75%, with the nail beds showing. I kept them a bit longer for a while but the dirt just accumulated under them and they looked even more disgusting. I eventually attacked them with nail clippers ( very thick in some places) and paired them back as far as I could with nail files etc. I have some stuff from the dermatologist (Thymol 4% in 70% SVI ) that I paint on and that seems to keep the colour from getting too bad, but I still get the ridging of the nail and the curvature. I did not treat my toe nails as a comparison check and have lost one thus far, and they are much yellower so it appears to be doing something.
I am with you on the infection of the sinus, and have so far had two treatments of antibiotics, one when I was in the UK on holiday and another here in Oz. I just hope it does not get into my lungs...
What I don't know is if this condition gradually gets worse or, if it stops at a variable predetermined point. IE will I get worse or have I a chance at staying where I am? A total cure would be nice but does not seem on the cards.
You made me wince on your description of snagging your nail - yewouch!
My cough seems to come and go throughout the day, I am ok sleeping and waking up in the morning - then the fun starts. A hot shower gets things loosened up and I am chasing tissues for a couple of hours, then it dries up till mid afternoon when the coughing starts. The coughing usually settles down again during the evening.
I also find it quite debilitating, my energy levels are way down and I get really fed up with it. But compared to others including yourself I have got it lucky!!
Doctors thus far have not proved to be very helpful or knowledgeable, so I now suspect that I will have to educate them via this forum.
Keep a positive spin on things. I think we need a new name for YNS - I am sure you can think of a few....!
Keep smiling, and may the bottomless box of tissues be ever at your side :D
Mike.
Hi Katie,
A quick update.
I have been using a Blackmores product called KALOBA, it's a herbal medicine made from geraniums! I usually steer well clear of this type of stuff, but thought what the heck and tried it. I am almost embarrassed to say it, but it did help with my cough and sinus issues. Its not a cure (shame) but it does give me some noticeable reduction in the above symptoms. The same stuff is sold in the UK and Germany if you Google Kaloba,
Went for a CT scan, and the findings were mixed, bronchial wall thickening in some area's, but ok in others.
I have also found a doctor in Australia (Hornsby, Sydney) who has treated around 6 YNS sufferers here, so at least now I have somebody on this side of the planet who knows what its all about, even if they are on the other side of the country ( 2 time zones away) She has published some papers on her work and sent me a copy for reference. If you want a copy let me know.
Best regards to all.
Mike.
A quick update.
I have been using a Blackmores product called KALOBA, it's a herbal medicine made from geraniums! I usually steer well clear of this type of stuff, but thought what the heck and tried it. I am almost embarrassed to say it, but it did help with my cough and sinus issues. Its not a cure (shame) but it does give me some noticeable reduction in the above symptoms. The same stuff is sold in the UK and Germany if you Google Kaloba,
Went for a CT scan, and the findings were mixed, bronchial wall thickening in some area's, but ok in others.
I have also found a doctor in Australia (Hornsby, Sydney) who has treated around 6 YNS sufferers here, so at least now I have somebody on this side of the planet who knows what its all about, even if they are on the other side of the country ( 2 time zones away) She has published some papers on her work and sent me a copy for reference. If you want a copy let me know.
Best regards to all.
Mike.
Thanks for that Mike, it is very interesting to hear of your good result with Kaloba. I have sourced some from Boots UK which is the UK's biggest chemist chain. I will get some & try it as I have nothing to lose.
My GP has finally referred me to a lung consultant who I will see in November. I did see him 3 years ago for Sleep Apnoea and although he was interested that I had YNS so maybe I will get some further tests (CT) to see how my lungs have changed in the last 3 years.
I would be really grateful if you could send me the research papers which she has given you, though I don't know how this site would let you do that.
Thank You so much. Katie
My GP has finally referred me to a lung consultant who I will see in November. I did see him 3 years ago for Sleep Apnoea and although he was interested that I had YNS so maybe I will get some further tests (CT) to see how my lungs have changed in the last 3 years.
I would be really grateful if you could send me the research papers which she has given you, though I don't know how this site would let you do that.
Thank You so much. Katie
Hi Katie,
Good luck with the Kaloba, hope it works for you. It took a few days for the effects to kick in with me.
I am now booked for a CT scan every year to plot "progress" so we will just see where we go. Not sure how you attach docs on this site either. If its ok with you I can give you my email address, then you can drop me an e-mail. I can then reply.
Other than that, Google : Dr Helen Mackenzie Australia yellow nail syndrome and all sorts of stuff should pop up. She has been quite active on the subject both here and in New Zealand.
Kind regards,
Mike.
Good luck with the Kaloba, hope it works for you. It took a few days for the effects to kick in with me.
I am now booked for a CT scan every year to plot "progress" so we will just see where we go. Not sure how you attach docs on this site either. If its ok with you I can give you my email address, then you can drop me an e-mail. I can then reply.
Other than that, Google : Dr Helen Mackenzie Australia yellow nail syndrome and all sorts of stuff should pop up. She has been quite active on the subject both here and in New Zealand.
Kind regards,
Mike.
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