Thank you to everyone who replied to my long winded post i appreciate the warm welcome, you are a lovely bunch!

Could i ask if anyone does or maybe has suffered from fingernails that just split, break and refuse to grow. Mine are in a terrible state, as if they are peeling in layers for want of a better description. I wondered if it was anything to do with whats happening to me.

You know, ive done quite a bit of thinking since i got ill and this illness has made me wonder about my dad. For 15 years he had Rheumatiod Arthritis, he was crippled with pain but he also suffered from chronic stomach pains and had constant D (i never did get the hang of spelling that word)! One day he had a haemorragh from his bowel (bet ive spelt that wrong too) and was admitted to hospital for tests, he had a colonoscopy and edoscopy amongst others. Sadly my dad died suddenly before we got the results but the day after his funeral we found out he had stomach cancer.
Cant help but wonder if maybe he had something going on in the gluten department too.

Thanks for listening again

Good wishes to all of you
Bev

In the case of Celiacs, at least, the nails don't grow well because of vitamin deficiencies. Spiltting, cracking, peeling, dents, and ridges can all be blamed on vitamin deficiencies.

Here's a website that explains:
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art5634.asp

I used to have the best nails in the world - they grew long, never broke or split, never peeled--people would ask if they were fake because they were so nice. For over 5 years now, they are, well, short, split, flaking, breaking, etc. My nails even separate from my fingers about 3-5 times a year now. In short, they suck - but my toes are ALWAYS painted.

Welcome Bev, if I haven't already done so. I have the worst fingernails in the world and always have they split and tear off below the quick. They have always been that way ever since I was a child, except they are even worse now.

Hi Bev, welcome to the board!
I'm another one with terrible nail problems. I keep them very short so they are not catching everything I touch. It's a frustrating problem, but constantly using hand cream helps a little bit. At least with the "hang nail" problem.

Oh ... and not to worry about spelling errors, we are not a critical bunch. Communication is the key here

ChelsE
thanks for that site - I always wondered about my crappy nails...

mamaw