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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To go to the Dr with this?

17 replies

ShouldofWouldofCouldof · 14/09/2018 11:15

Hi i will try to keep it brief but wondering if anyone has any experience with this or any medical professionals can advise? Brief history, i have several members of my family with various lung diseases/cancers etc. The latest being my sister who died 12 days after diaognosis. I was talking to a friend today who works in a medical setting. And she started freaking out over my nail on my index finger. It "clubs" and curls over at the end. (Apparently this can be a sign of lung problems) She was honestly acting like i was about to drop down dead and insisted i have to see a dr!
I have had a brief google and scared myself silly (i know i shouldnt listen to dr google) but i do feel a bit daft going to the dr and saying "my friend told me i had to come because i have a curly finger nail" iyswim. Has anyone had experience with "club nails" etc? Ive worried myself a bit and still raw from my sister but can't quite bring myself to go to the gp for something that seems like internet scaremongering. Could.i t be serious or will the dr laugh at me. ?

OP posts:

SneakyGremlins · 14/09/2018 11:16

Would a walk in be a better place to go maybe?

DannyWallace · 14/09/2018 11:18

TBH I have absolutely no idea about symptoms like that.
However, I just wanted to say that any doctor completely understands if you go and ask due to family history. Could you even ask for a phone consultation? If it's a loads of rubbish they will tell you, but if it could be valid then they will make an appointment to see you.
Sorry to hear about your family history ❤️ I hope this is nothing x

SinkGirl · 14/09/2018 11:18

Do you have a photo? Yes, nail changes can be related to all sorts of health issues and deficiencies. I have a few nails that curl and my doctor said were no big deal. They’re nothing as severe as the clubbed nails associated with things like lung cancer. Definitely worth checking out especially with family history but in the absence of any other symptoms I wouldn’t rush for an emergency appointment :)

SilverHairedCat · 14/09/2018 11:20

I doubt it - is it not much more likely that the nail has suffered trauma? Have you ever damaged the finger or nail bed?

However, do please see the GP if you are worried - have a general MOT anyway. I'm sorry about your sister.

AllyMcBeagle · 14/09/2018 11:23

Book an appointment. Google says that lung cancer is the most common cause of it but there are some other less serious causes that you would still need treatment for (eg coeliac disease). The doctor will not laugh at you.

Popc0rn · 14/09/2018 11:24

I'd see your GP. They can assess you properly and hopefully put your mind at ease. Though in my limited experience of respiratory, finger clubbing affects all of the person's fingers, not just one.

gamerwidow · 14/09/2018 11:25

Given your family history I would go and put your mind at rest. It’s likely nothing but if it will allow you to sleep well at night it’s worth the visit.

DebbysMum · 14/09/2018 11:28

With your family history a doctor should take concerns seriously.

justilou1 · 14/09/2018 12:56

Yes, I would go and see a doctor... but I would also not panic if you have a healthy lifestyle... ie- don’t smoke, etc...

AlexaAmbidextra · 14/09/2018 13:00

Clubbing can be a sign of lung disease but all the nails would be clubbed and not just the one. Sounds more like nail trauma to me.

missyB1 · 14/09/2018 13:02

Clubbed finger nails can be caused by anaemia or other serious diseases I would see a GP.

Original poster

ShouldofWouldofCouldof · 14/09/2018 16:32

Thank you all for the replies and beimg gentle with me. I will make an app with gp. I have attached a pic of the worst finger (index) it was hard to get a decent pic. all 4 on my right hand curve but the index is most noticable. No hand trauma that i can think of but it has defiantly got more noticeable in the last few months. Im not worried as such but after everything that has gone on then my friend pointing it out i must admit i got a bit paranoid.

OP posts:

lljkk · 14/09/2018 17:05

I'm reading that it's called beaked nails. The examples online are a lot more extreme than yours. I hope you can find some reassurance.

The people I know who had lung disease didn't (don't) seem to have this, though.

Nottotheirstandards · 14/09/2018 17:08

www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/mesothelioma/symptoms/finger-clubbing

Don't want to scare you op but better safe than sorry go see the gp and put your mind at ease especially as you have family history. If it's nothing then it's all good. If it is something then hopefully it's something that can be done about it

cathyandclare · 14/09/2018 17:09

Clubbing can be a sign of many conditions affecting the lung, heart and bowel or none. What are the Ling diseases that your family have been affected by?

It would be reasonable to go to the GP for advice. Do you have any symptoms at all?

Tomselleckhaskindeyes · 14/09/2018 17:11

Get booked in you have a family history. Better being safe than sorry. Sorry about your sister OP.........

lljkk · 29/09/2018 08:27

Did you find out anything, @ShouldofWouldofCouldof ?

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