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Yellow nail syndrome

Posted , 7 users are following.

Suzyk
Suzyk

18 months ago I had a sinus infection with a cough.  The cough never went away. Two months later I noticed my nail changing and one fell off.  Everyone focused on the cough.. Even though I knew the two went together .  I've also had a thick clear mucus discharge.  I have seen several specialists with no cure or answers.. I've had tests, a Broncos copy.. Cat scans, another sinus infection, and bronchial pneumonia.  Finally my gap diagnosed me with yellow nail syndrome (I,veg had almost all finger nails fall out... Aroundd my toes there is a hardening of the skin around them... I've had fatigue, and swelling of my ankles.   Reading all of this you have written sure sounds like what I have been dealing with... Makes me not think I'm crazy.   My question is what kind of dr do I see? What can I do to help myself?  Does the cough and mucous ever go away? 

2 likes, 29 replies

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  • lois58127
    lois58127 Suzyk

    Posted

    YNS is an immune system disease. approx 3 years ago, I went to the doctors with constant nail bed infections, then wee while later had a thick white/cream mucus from my cough, classic yellow/black nails some lifting some thick some detaching, chest xray showed a shadow on my lungs, Brocial infections, finally diagnosed by immune specialist 2 years ago with YNS. later i had pain and swelling in my legs when trying to exercise legs felt heavy like lead. constant antibiotics, for infections on my fingers. I had a battle getting help begged nail technicians to attend to my nails none would touch them eventually i signed a disclaimer with a podiatrist so she could attend to them, THEN. i went to natural path. started large dose of fish oil 6 per day. vit D, Magnesium, gut health slippery elm. and not long after started Acitretin (this drug causes birth defects but i am past child bearing age, so ok for me) 10mg daily. regular visits to the podiatrist who does my fingers,  I am nearly cured!. now double the dose 20 mg acitretin, no more leg pain and my hands are looking nearly normal, nails are white now..Acetretin is a drug for psoriasis, The skin specialist is delighted he has solved the problem and is taking the information to the world specialists. I am so grateful to finally have relief. good luck, hope my experience can help you.
    • helen01813
      helen01813 lois58127

      Posted

      Hi Lois, can you remember how to send a private message to someone?

      You did to me some time ago but it seems to have been deleted. Hope you are well. H

  • pam_87693
    pam_87693 Suzyk

    Posted

    Yes I agree with Lois, I think somewhere in your family history there must be someone with Psoriasis, the nail destruction, onycholysis is typical of this, I have similar nail problems, mine are certainly from Paoriatic arthritis. Your one the right medication and good luck!
    • Suzyk
      Suzyk pam_87693

      Posted

      my mother had exema - but no one I know of has had psoriasis...
    • lois58127
      lois58127 Suzyk

      Posted

      suzyk, no one in my family has had exema, I think exema is a auto-immune condition, but i definately have auto- immune conditions running rife throughout my family, katie, when i had the shadow on my lungs, the GP told me to make sure i wore wool, she told me off actually, so i went out and bought a few merino, leggings and long sleeve tops, which i wear every day, I make sure i am not cold, make sure i am not sleeping with any moisture, in NZ it is very moist, so we use a dehumidifier, I use natural oils in a dispenser, peppermint, euclayptis, lemon etc, to try to keep my airways clear, our bedding is wool and cotton, I still cough a few times each day bring up a small amount of thick clear phlegm but have got the all clear from the lung specialist, told me its in my broncals, yns has had me in agony many days, the pain in my fingers hard to bear, My legs swollen and it was hard to move, but now this Neogitisan, Acetretin drug is giving me amazing relief. Of course if the pain is gone you feel better and the stress is less too, Maybe ask your docs if you can try it for a short term it only took a few weeks and i had improvement. cheers.
    • Guest
      Guest lois58127

      Posted

      It's just sunk in about the auto-immune link and I realised that my Mum developed late-onset Type 1 diabetes which is auto-immune. Her two sisters also developed it but at a later age than Mum. The good news is that it appears that the rest of my family seem OK..
  • lois58127
    lois58127 Suzyk

    Posted

    I forgot to mention that in my early forties i was a trim, energetic, active person and i was working in a very stressful occupation. on top of that My mother died and I had 4 teenage daughters. Menopause, stress levels etc..got me first with Hasimotos which is immune system attacking the thyroid gland, gained 15kgs in weight, going downhill which only contributed to the Stress. I was Copeing with a bottle of red wine nearly every night, to relax, All this was a major factor prior to me getting YNS,  ladies listen to my disaster, I am so glad i am at the end of the tunnel now. if I can help i am happy to give more info.. xx
    • Suzyk
      Suzyk lois58127

      Posted

      Thank you, Lois for your help..  Mine seems to be a result of chronic sinusitis.  my frustration is I still have a bad cough and lots of mucous, on top of the nail thing.....it's been 18 months since I have slept though the night because of the cough.  I am exhausyed and now the cough is causing muscle spasms on my right side... I'm frustrated.

       

  • helen01813
    helen01813 Suzyk

    Posted

    Hi Guys,

    Lois thrilled things are improving for you, you have been through the mill.

    Suzy great you have a diagnosis, that has been a struggle for everyone in large because it is so rare. Treatment is symptom based from what I have learned, as it is a syndrome which can effect various systems of the body. So your choice of Dr is based on this. Most important (also the most difficult as I have found) is to find a dr who is actually interested in you as a person, as a patient and in your condition, rare frustrating and odd as it may be. I have found myself educating healthcare professionals on occasion. So educating yourself is vitally important. Google Scholar is helpful.

    Start with the basics, sorry I really in no way mean to be condesending but speak from a combination of personal experience and a background in healthcare. I developed YNS at a very stressful period in my life after a car accident when definately my immune system was compromised. Look after yourself. I know if your nails are sore even simple tasks are difficult. Easiest to find on line but absolute life savers for me were gel lined finger stalls. They really protect your sore nails/nailbeds and make simple things possible again. Using disposable gloves over them made bathing and hairwashing pleasurable again. Even food prep was possible again.

    Look at your diet, you may need supplements having been ill for some time. Lois mentioned a Naturopath which worked for her. I have an independant local health food store run by fab knowledgable staff which works for me. Eat well, good nutritious food. Sleep is also important. You mention fatigue, it is a symptom of the syndrome. Listen to your body. Pace yourself. Look at ways of relaxation which appeal to you. We are all unique with unique sets of circumstances. Over time I have found mindfulness helpful.

    You mentioned dry skin, I have found coconut oil great. I apply it once or twice a day and the difference is unbelievable. It also has antifungal and antimicrobial properties.

    YNS is a syndrome which can only be managed, there is no cure unfortunately. That said I am doing ok. No the cough and mucus are there but much less so. I do attend a respiratory specialist as necessary. When my nails/skin cause problems I attend a dermatologist who was the Dr who diagnosed the YNS first day. I see a podiatrist 2-3 times a year, while my fingernails grew back normally my big toe nails not so and need expert attention.

    I am not sure i have been any help.

    • Suzyk
      Suzyk helen01813

      Posted

      Thank you for sharing.  The past 18 months have been frustrating, no answers, no solutions.  I admit I feel lost in knowing where to turn.  Reading all of your discussions has really helped.  I need advise from people who know, who are experiencing  the same things I am, I can benefit from all you have been through. I am open to any help or direction you all can give me... So thank you for responding! 
    • Suzyk
      Suzyk helen01813

      Posted

      can i just say that although having my fingernails fall off (and grow back in the same way)  - and look awful, which can be embarrasing... that is the least of my problems.  this cough is unnerving, exhausting, annoying co-workers, keeping me and my husband awake...

      i really don't seem to know where to start,  I will say it is depressing me.  r

    • helen01813
      helen01813 Suzyk

      Posted

      Hi Suzy,

      Something about the way you describe your cough.... have you ever been checked for asthma ?  I think it was the year before my YNS developed I had an asthmatic episode, coughing ++ esp at night, turned out to be a reaction to cleaning products. Have since become sensitive to most regular cleaning products including shampoos, shower gels etc.etc.etc. Air freshners are my biggest nightmare as are scented candles. This year hayfever has become a problem and I have just had my second asthmatic episode this week, old grass just cut next door. I do use preventative inhaler regularly but not enough this week. I am booked for full allergy screening in Sept. I had not realised but asthma is something we can develop at anystage of our lives. The cough from YNS should not be disturbing you to that degree if there is not infection or something like oedema or a pleural effusion present. It is not a curable syndrome I am afraid Suzy, but great we have found support from each other here. Take care.

    • Suzyk
      Suzyk helen01813

      Posted

      Helen,

      as a young girl I had severe asthma.  Years of allergy hots stopped the attacks.  When we moved to Virginia I started having constant sinus infections.  We pulled up the carpets in the house and that really helped.  18 months ago I got another sinus infection.  Cough and mucous remained.. but the mucous changed to a clear thick discharge.  At that same time my nails began to change and fall off.  been on constant antibiotics.  My husband and I decided to have our house checked for mold - so we have someone coming in to check the duct work and another company coming in to check under our house.  My cough is constant and I have had two bouts of bronchitis and one of pneumonia during all of this.  I go through one box of tissues a week (i'm not kidding - I can't go anywhere without tissue).  My nose and cheeks are constantly red from all the nose blowing! 

    • helen01813
      helen01813 Suzyk

      Posted

      Hi Suzy,  that really does sound difficult and reminds me of how mine was in the early days. I tend to use Google scholar for research but note you are in the US so may have different access. I am in Ireland. There is no point in trying to link you to info here as it will just be deleted by the modulators. I know Lois contacted me off group previously so if you discover how to do this please do.

      Feeling pretty disappointed; had asthmatic episode during last week- reaction to old grass being cut next door, now developed into chest infection so on antibiotics. I had managed to avoid the dreaded things ...

      Hopefully if you do identify any mould etc. it is treatable. Take care.

    • Guest
      Guest Suzyk

      Posted

      I know what you mean about nose-blowing. I sometimes look like I've been in a boxing ring as my nose is usually really sore and bleeding. When I'm on holiday in the US I get US style Kleenex Ultrasoft tissues and bring back as many as I can cram in my luggage to keep me going for a few weeks. They are the softest tissues that I have come across. They are sold in the UK but the UK ones are like sandpaper in comparison.
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