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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Really freaked out by GP

82 replies

BlueChewRoy · 09/06/2020 16:04

I went to my GP about a load of red pinprick sized dots that have appeared on my chest/ legs. She said that she is sending a photo of the dots to the dermatology clinic. I asked her if she knew what was causing it and she said she had one idea but couldn’t be 100% sure. I asked what her idea was and she replied let’s wait to hear back from the clinic.
Her reply is making me more concerned. If it was something of nothing why would she not just tell me her suspicion? AIBU to think she should have told me her thoughts when I asked?

OP posts:
thegcatsmother · 09/06/2020 18:00

@mumwon

as pp said MIGHT be low platelets (ITP) women can get chronic ITP as they get older sometimes after infection - & nose bleeds maybe linked (but might not be) what's your bp like? Chronic ITP doesn't usually interfere with every day life (what are your periods like op out of interest? & roughly how old are you?) Let me put it like this -the person I know who has this has had successful open heart surgery (had to take medication but had no other issue- sailed thru it - ) BUT it could be nothing - your gp is being careful - have you had blood test?
I've had ITP for 25 years and have petechiae on my feet and legs, and my mouth and nose bleeds when my platelet count drops.

I have no meds for it and it only interferes in everyday life if you get tired, and tonic water is out, as is too much alcohol as it depresses platelets.

Marpan · 09/06/2020 17:56

If you could afford it send your pic to an online consultant dermatologist somewhere like just answer. It’s a great resource.

The private derms are only doing telephone or online they would be 10x the price of this.

If it sets ur mind at ease it would be totally worth it.

Happymum12345 · 09/06/2020 17:56

I have severe health anxiety & would have begged them to tell me what they were thinking. You need to phone up & ask again or go and see another dr if you can’t wait a week. However, I’m sure that as it been sent to a dermatologist, I wouldn’t be too concerned unless it was skin cancer, which clearly this isn’t. All the best.

Inkpaperstars · 09/06/2020 17:53

Perhaps she had no clue but didn’t want to admit that?!

I think that is very possible!

stickerqueen · 09/06/2020 17:52

i know how you feeling I'm also freaking out after taking ds 2 to the gp. a lump around 2cm appeared in his neck over the weekend so took him to the gp and they referred him to the hospital said we should get a call within 7 days. gp never give any idea what we dealing with and said to wait for the hospital to call.
I'm more worried about the lump now than i was before going gp

Inkpaperstars · 09/06/2020 17:52

I think she would have ordered blood tests of she suspected that yes.

Juliet2014 · 09/06/2020 17:51

Perhaps she had no clue but didn’t want to admit that?!

mumwon · 09/06/2020 17:51

as pp said MIGHT be low platelets (ITP) women can get chronic ITP as they get older sometimes after infection - & nose bleeds maybe linked (but might not be) what's your bp like? Chronic ITP doesn't usually interfere with every day life (what are your periods like op out of interest? & roughly how old are you?)
Let me put it like this -the person I know who has this has had successful open heart surgery (had to take medication but had no other issue- sailed thru it - ) BUT it could be nothing - your gp is being careful - have you had blood test?

NoMoreDickheads · 09/06/2020 17:46

I think anyone would be anxious if a doctor did that, but try not to panic as you don't know what's happening yet.

I find if I call and ask to speak to the doctor and say I have severe anxiety and whatever they said has worried me, they will explain in more detail and tend to be reassuring.

TheChestnutCafe · 09/06/2020 17:40

I've had these for over 30 years and I seem to be getting more and more.
I remember when I was 16 my GP sent me to the hospital with them, I was told by the Professor I saw that they were completely benign.
Mine are a combination of cherry angiomas especially on my breasts, and petachie everywhere else. I must have hundreds.

Op, please try to remain calm. If GP thought anything was amiss they wouldn't hang about or refer you to dermatology.

HRoosevelt · 09/06/2020 17:39

www.dermsolutionstx.com/covid

Also can be a manifestation of covid??

Namechange8471 · 09/06/2020 17:37

My daughter had them a few times between the ages of 2-6. Obviously due to not fading we had numerous trips to A and E to rule out anything serious.

I remember a nurse telling her off for running around the wards as she was absolutely fine and a restless toddler 😂

Aquafresca · 09/06/2020 17:32

Op don't worry it could be some basic steroidal medication she may be planning to prescribe so needs to conform with the dermatologist. According to NHS guidelines Gp's are not allowed to prescribe skin topical steroids and many more medications as a cost cutting measure. I am trying to get a basic medication from my gp but he told me his system doesn't let him prescribe it. Hmm Try not to Google so much, as you don't need any more stress or anxiety. In the mean time avoid fragrances, and harsh soaps and shampoos. Try using very mild cleansers like E45 or even baby 👶 no tears formula. I hope your Gp gets back to you soon.SmileFlowers

florascotia2 · 09/06/2020 17:32

OP This is your second thread on the topic. Little red spots can be caused by all kinds of conditions. Obviously, they need to be checked out by medical professionals. But is there any reason why you are so worried about leukaemia?

@Moondust001 makes a very wise comment. Skin conditions can be difficult for non-experts to diagnose, which is presumably why (a) your GP won't commit themselves and (b) has very correctly sought a specialist dematology opinion.

As Moondust also says, any suspicion of leukaemia is normally accompanied by blood-tests. Lots of them.

Sorry that you are so anxious.

GreytExpectations · 09/06/2020 17:28

Op, she can't tell you what she thinks incase she is wrong.

aFaintSeashellAroma · 09/06/2020 17:24

Petechiae/ I’m covered. Turned out to be nothing just common and runs in families. Right enough we all seem to get it

TatianaBis · 09/06/2020 17:22

If she had suspected Leukaemia would she have definitely asked for blood tests to be done?

Yes, the first thing she would have done is a full blood count.

Did she ask about weight loss, fatigue, night sweats, swollen glands, susceptibility to infection?

BatShite · 09/06/2020 17:18

Ah. She won't say incase she is wrong. However, saying she thinks she might know, then saying she won't tell you will obviously stress you a bit. Try not to worry too much, though I know that won't help..

KoalasandRabbit · 09/06/2020 17:13

I have these, never asked a doctor what they are. I would guess the cherry angiomas for mine as raised and contain blood. Sometimes I get red rash and I think its allergy related / hayfever. I don't think its leukemia they are testing for as mine did a blood test with that first and ruled out. I've had a few cancer test referrals and even if it is for that best thing is to distract yourself and not think too much. Would imagine its harmless. Think you can get viral rashes too.

Melroses · 09/06/2020 17:13

I got those all over the palms of my hands and chest when I was pregnant, and more so just after delivery. I asked about them, and just got an 'Oh that's interesting' so never got to the bottom of it. Most of them faded in the end. They looked like miniature red stars.

PaperMonster · 09/06/2020 17:13

@Jaxhog that’s what I have! Thousands of them! Some big raised ones. Some small flat ones. My stomach developed thousands of tiny pin prick ones in labour and the staff were amazed by them! One of the nurses knew what they were and told me. The bigger ones I’ve had for decades.

Railingsohno · 09/06/2020 17:10

Just to reassure you I had this a few years back and bloods came back normal. They thought it was a weird viral thing.

Tfoot75 · 09/06/2020 17:09

Agree if a GP had any suspicion or leukaemia she'd have sent you to A&E. My adult brother once presented at the GP with symptoms and had to wait for a family member to pick him up and take him to A&E. He didn't have that but did have a similar life threatening condition.

Moondust001 · 09/06/2020 17:05

@BlueChewRoy

No, she didn't suggest blood tests but did ask about other symptoms. For the first time in my life I have been experiencing nose bleeds and they are quite frequent. It was after I mentioned this that she said that she had 1 idea of what could be causing it, but as she wasn't sure she would refer to the Dermatology clinic.

If she had suspected Leukaemia would she have definitely asked for blood tests to be done?

If she thought it was anything even vaguely serious she would have ordered blood tests. Blood tests are far more useful in diagnosis than a picture to a dermatologist. You are overthinking this. She isn't sure what it is, and GP's are not specialists, so she is asking an expert in the field. If she thought that there was a chance it was serious she'd have taken enough blood to feed a vampire for a week! Right now she doesn't. That's good, right?
BlueChewRoy · 09/06/2020 17:02

Yes it is not a heat rash. GP confirmed it was Petichiae. Probably spelt that incorrectly. I thought leukaemia can sometimes show up on skin before blood and in those cases a Dermatologist can diagnose.

OP posts: