The fingernails don't lie
With 11 years of lupus under my belt, and a chronic control spread sheet to go along with it, I tend to have a pretty good handle on when I'm in "good health" and when I'm not. Thankfully, I've had many more healthy trends than not - so I haven't had much to track in the old spreadsheet as of late. But one thing I was keeping my eye on was my weight. When I get sick - I tend to lose my appetite. And with no appetite, comes weight loss. And last fall, I was losing weight. Not a ton - more than 5 pounds, less than 15 - but it was significant enough that I noticed. And my pants noticed. And most importantly, my parents noticed. And when they notice, I have to sit up and listen.
So I did. I mentioned it to my doctor, and we watched it carefully. We kept my appointments close together so that he could monitor things frequently. And I kept an eye on my symptoms, which, thankfully, were non-existent. There was no joint pain, no swelling, no increased protein at all. There was absolutely no sign that lupus was a foot. Just the weight loss.
And the nails.
Turns out, my fingernails weren't growing either. It wasn't that they were growing and peeling, or breaking, or chipping...it's just that they weren't growing. At all. And this coincidence has happened before - in fact a handful of times. If my body's not well, my nails tend not to grow. And when my body is well - my nails grow steadily.
So now - mid-winter, there's good news across the board: my appetite has returned, my weight is making its way back to normal, and my nails are going strong. Not sure if I could ever prove the connection - but I'm not so sure I need to. I think running with a hunch is just fine for now.
Of course, if my nails have earned a line item on the spreadsheet...well, then...I guess they've "arrived", haven't they?
Here's wikipedia's take on nail growth, and thoughts from WebMD, and Care2.com. Nothing particularly conclusive, although the mention of nutrition sure seems to make sense. Guess it's just a little food for thought!
So I did. I mentioned it to my doctor, and we watched it carefully. We kept my appointments close together so that he could monitor things frequently. And I kept an eye on my symptoms, which, thankfully, were non-existent. There was no joint pain, no swelling, no increased protein at all. There was absolutely no sign that lupus was a foot. Just the weight loss.
And the nails.
Turns out, my fingernails weren't growing either. It wasn't that they were growing and peeling, or breaking, or chipping...it's just that they weren't growing. At all. And this coincidence has happened before - in fact a handful of times. If my body's not well, my nails tend not to grow. And when my body is well - my nails grow steadily.
So now - mid-winter, there's good news across the board: my appetite has returned, my weight is making its way back to normal, and my nails are going strong. Not sure if I could ever prove the connection - but I'm not so sure I need to. I think running with a hunch is just fine for now.
Of course, if my nails have earned a line item on the spreadsheet...well, then...I guess they've "arrived", haven't they?
Here's wikipedia's take on nail growth, and thoughts from WebMD, and Care2.com. Nothing particularly conclusive, although the mention of nutrition sure seems to make sense. Guess it's just a little food for thought!
Comments
Thanks for your comments, Catherine!
And JillyB - thanks for commenting! Great tips on the Boost Plus - I bet that protein helps a lot. I find myself craving protein (and milk) quite often - so I try and listen to my body to give it what it needs. I suppose the real challenge is fueling it, even when our appetites are non-existent! Hope to hear from you again!
Christina, 26, NYC
Now the internet. I had my first butterfly rash 2015. Had bloodwork done and they told me everything was normal. My doctor noticed the rash. I thought I had just sunburned my face. Something I haven't done since childhood. He suggested I get the test that came up normal. I was relieved; however, it would of been nice to know what is wrong with me. As I have survived three strokes with no answer to what is causing them. ( I was told stress but at that time I lived on a farm on Maui; not very stressful)
I looked up the symptoms of Lupus. Everything except the blood work I have is listed in the symptoms. Lupus fog I can't remember the simplest words. It is like charades. I know you walk through it. I know it has hinges. I know it has a handle on it. (Door) But I cannot see the common word used. I can go from the front of the house to the backyard and not forget what I was looking for. No I remember something completely different. If I was looking for a Oak tree. I would get in the back yard and think I was looking for a Pine tree. Even if I use the old make a song out of it trick. Now my nails that were so hard I had to cut them with toenail clippers. Now the ditris part of the nail. Is brittle cracks and tears. Overnight bags have occurred under my eyes. I woke up one morning looking like a Basset hound. I have never had baggy eyes even when I was cramming in college. So I'm very interested in Lupus now. My doctor said that although my blood panels came back normal. It does not mean I don't have Lupus. Well I guess now it is a wait and see. Thanks for posting things like this. Information on LuPus seems only to be pharmaceuticals advertising their meds.