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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think the NHS should cover this?

31 replies

Sallystyle · 01/03/2013 13:54

A bit of rant really.

I have multi lipomas and have had them for 10 years. It is genetic and I have hundreds and hundreds, I can't even count them. Thankfully, none of them are bigger than two marbles put together but there are loads and it is horrid.

They do hurt when touched and every day one of the children will hug me and touch one too roughly and it is really uncomfortable. I get a lot of stiffness with them as well which is all normal for lipomas.

Yesterday I asked my GP to refer me to the derm so I can talk about getting a few that get in my way when sleeping etc removed. The GP kindly told me that I have no chance because unless it is severely impacting my life or huge enough to cause disfigurement they won't do it and I will need to go private.

I know the NHS has to make cutbacks but it seems pretty crappy to me that I will have to save up god knows how much money if I want some removed. They do get me really down and while I can live with them I am pretty bloody sick of it and I would have hoped that the pain when I am touched on my back and the fact that I can't get comfortable in bed would be enough of a reason for the derm to consider removal of some, the GP is convinced that they won't even see me as I meet none of the criteria and I basically just have to put up with it.

OP posts:
YouTheCat · 01/03/2013 14:02

Get a second opinion. They sound like they do impact on your life to me.

nickelbabe · 01/03/2013 14:04

yes, it does sound like it's something that the NHS should cover.

especially if they hurt to be touched.

MunchMunch · 01/03/2013 14:06

I've just googled lipomas to see what they were and I'd never heard/seen them until a few weeks ago when I saw someone with them on their arms. What I did see leads me to think YANBU to want at least some of them removed.

I think you should go back for a second opinion, which is what I done when I was told the NHS don't cover breast reductions when I knew they did and have luckily had one done on the NHS.

DeWe · 01/03/2013 14:07

I would get a second opinion. If it's effecting your sleeping then it is impacting on your life. If nothing else ask for the referal from the GP, as the experts may have different guidelines.

MousyMouse · 01/03/2013 14:08

yanbu
they are impacting on your life.

AuntieMaggie · 01/03/2013 14:10

I think they have made huge cuts in this area as I have a large lipoma on my back and was told the same thing but 5 years ago DP had several removed. I have also heard hernias now aren't done either even if a nhs procedure caused it!

So no yanbu.

Doubletroublemummy2 · 01/03/2013 14:11

you have a shitty GP. I had a mole I didn't like and the it was removed by the gp with a bit of local, no hassles. try someone else

poozlepants · 01/03/2013 14:12

It's rubbish. I had to get one removed privately. It was right where my bra went and I couldn't wear a bra without it getting really painful and if I went braless then I was getting back pain from my ample free roaming bosoms.
If I were you I would see another GP and tell them how very very painful they are when you are lying on them. How you are feeling depressed through lack of sleep and pain.
It's the state of the NHS I'm afraid. I had to wait nearly 4 months to see about a salivary gland swelling. I was referred urgently and they downgraded me without having seen me. It took another 6 months before I was treated.

You could move to Spain- my friend went to his GP in Spain for something else and they just booked him in to have 2 or 3 removed the next week. He was also offered comprehensive allergy testing because he went with hayfever. Might be why Spain is bankrupt however.

CMOTDibbler · 01/03/2013 14:12

I'd be firm and ask if he can leave that decision to the derms. If they cause pain, I'm sure they can be removed on the NHS.

Original poster
Sallystyle · 01/03/2013 14:34

Thank you. I will ask him to refer me anyway and let the derm make that decision. To be fair on him, he is really nice and probably my favourite GP at the surgery, but next time I see him I will be firm and ask for a referral and if he refuses I will see someone else.

He said he was just as annoyed with the cutbacks they have made in this area as well.

OP posts:
fromparistoberlin · 01/03/2013 14:39

I had a nasty HUGE one hanging off my arse and NHS took it off (nice)

see another GP OP

But, if you dont get any joy just pay for it, as they are a bitch

I def would have paid for mine, if I had to

sympathies

Scholes34 · 01/03/2013 14:41

You need to convince yourself first that they impact on your life. It certainly sounds like they do. When asked by the GP, you need to confirm this, rather than think you can put up with it.

I've had skin tags removed on the NHS. First time was about 20 years ago when they were pointed out to me by my GP. I wasn't really aware of them, they didn't bother me, but I went ahead and had them removed. I think he may have been drumming up business for his new minor ops clinic.

I then went to a different GP about three years ago to ask for others to be removed. She initially refused, saying they were cosmetic, but I found it within myself to say that actually they did impact - they were along my bra line, so uncomfortable, and under my arm, so couldn't use a razor. She accepted this and agreed to do them.

If all else fails, burst into tears. Those of us who don't like to make a fuss can be ignored, brushed off and walked over if we're not careful. We need to make a fuss from time to time.

VoiceofUnreason · 01/03/2013 14:44

Depresses me, quite often, what is and isn't available on the NHS and the post code lottery. This is something that absolutely SHOULD be available, so YANBU.

foreverondiet · 01/03/2013 15:22

I think you need to go to another GP and emphasis the huge amount of pain you are in. IME he who shouts loudest gets the treatment.

AyeOopMoose · 01/03/2013 15:36

Agree you should get a referral.

I have a large one on my arm & GP offered to refer me.

I declined as it doesn't bother me that much and I'd have a big scar instead.

So in short, yes it can be done on the NHS.

taxi4ballet · 01/03/2013 15:40

Ask for a referral to your local hospital to see a dermatologist?

facedontfit · 01/03/2013 17:06

Have just Googled, sympathy for you Samu2. You are not being unreasonable - get a second opinion, make a fuss, make more fuss - the squeakiest wheel gets oiled!!

cantspel · 01/03/2013 17:08

My husband has neurofibromatosis so has loads of lipomas. He has had quite a few cut off by the nhs usually where the rub on clothes like the band of his trousers or lower back.

Writehand · 01/03/2013 17:25

YANBU. I've no medical qualifications but I've been a medical writer for over 20 years. What you're suffering from is blatantly a medical issue. Not cosmetic. Make more fuss and get a 2nd opinion. Try another GP, and firmly request a referral.

When I say make a fuss I don't mean raise your voice, but be really blunt and outspoken about the problems you have every day while being really polite. Far too many people just go along with what medical staff tell them.

A great friend of mine lived twice as long with kidney failure as all the other people in his unit. He was a really loud, witty Cockney, and he was quite certain that he outlived the others simply by being bloody minded, demanding help, demanding and expecting treatment: he said be polite but never let up. He said it's the ones who just accepted what's doled out who died. Not that this will kill you, of course, but it's the same principle.

When I had my first DS by emergency CS I spent 5 days in a blind misery of pain because I didn't argue with the staff. After a pep talk from my friend, I was so demanding with my 2nd DS's delivery (also a CS) that I got proper, effective pain relief and a hugely better start. It works.

valiumredhead · 01/03/2013 17:32

You have a really shitty GP. If you can have' boob jobs' to correct different sized breasts then you can sure as hell get your situation sorted on the NHS!

Hope you get something sorted OP x

CloudsAndTrees · 01/03/2013 17:36

Agree that you should go back, and keep going back until you get what you need. Sadly this is now the way with the NHS, you have to make a fuss for what should be standard.

AngryGnome · 01/03/2013 17:38

Another recommendation to get a second opinion. Dh has had a number removed over the years, all on the nhs. Don't put on a brave face, tell the gp exactly how they impact on your daily life.

I hope you get the result you need.

valiumredhead · 01/03/2013 17:38

And make it VERY clear it is affecting your confidence and MH.

soaccidentprone · 01/03/2013 17:46

the NHS website says 'if it causes you physical or mental pain then it can be removed on other NHS' is if it is pressing on a nerve, or is rubbing on clothes etc.

I think you have a very good case and need to be a bit firmer about stating the adverse impact it is having on your life.

Mia4 · 01/03/2013 17:48

YANBU OP but this is your doctor not the NHS. Your doctor has to fight for you and make a case for this and they will do it. You need to explain how it's affecting your life and emotional state and stress how depressed, stressed and in pain you feel from it.

Go back there and be assertive, get a second opinion if needs be but meet his/her kindness with demands. Your doctor is trying to save him/herslef the cost of a referral and not bothering to even try.

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