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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To worry I might have nail cancer?

163 replies

Sadandstripey · 14/01/2019 00:16

I’m really anxious about getting cancer and because of that I don’t trust my own judgement properly.

I’ve got a dark brown stripe running lengthways across my big toe nail. It has some darker pinprick spots in and isn’t a straight line. I can’t remember hurting my toe at all. The stripe has been there since October. I’ve now googled and scared myself silly it’s cancer. Would IBU to see a GP about this?

OP posts:
WideBlueSky · 17/01/2019 17:33

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy I thought the 2 week wait would start once it was determined I would be on the urgent referral list? I.e. after the dermotlogist has made a decision.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 18/01/2019 12:43

Th@WideBlueSky No, it's to get you in front of the dermatologist.

www.hey.nhs.uk/patient-leaflet/urgent-two-week-wait-referral-hospital-information-patients/

Original poster
Sadandstripey · 19/01/2019 00:09

I called the GP today, still no answer from dermotlogist. They told me to call back next Friday. But I have felt a lot calmer. I think no news is probably good news. And I’ve taken a better quality photo in case GP/ dermotlogist needs to see how it’s progressing. Thank you all for your advice. Really has helpt kept me sane. I’m also going to be starting more CBT. I think I need it really.

OP posts:
Ereshkigal · 19/01/2019 10:43

It really looks like blood under the nail. It looks very similar to mine except mine was neater at the edges. Mine started off right at the cuticle and eventually travelled up and grew out. I was most scared when it was on the cuticle and was looking for the Hutchinson's sign mentioned earlier and convinced myself I could see it. Google was completely awful about the type I thought I had.

Original poster
Sadandstripey · 20/01/2019 00:10

I’m sorry I’m drunk I’m sad.

OP posts:
GrimDamnFanjo · 20/01/2019 00:27

Don't be sorry, health anxieties can be very stressful x

MissLadyM · 20/01/2019 00:39

Get it checked out & put your mind at rest. I'm sure it's a bruise that you haven't noticed. Btw it is a thing, Bob Marley had it. You'll be fine x

TheClaws · 20/01/2019 00:44

It looks like blood to me, too, OP. It should just grow out. Flowers

autumngazer · 20/01/2019 08:13

Hope your OK @Sadandstripey I agree with another poster, health anxiety can be extremely stressful and upsetting. I suffer severely myself.

Please know we're here if you need to chat. Xxxx

Original poster
Sadandstripey · 20/01/2019 08:50

I’m fine, thanks. The drunk/ sad comment was supposed to be messaged to my sister. Don’t know how I put it on here instead! Explains why she never replied anyway, ha.

OP posts:
Babooshka · 22/01/2019 21:53

Hope you're doing ok, sad, been thinking about you.

Original poster
Sadandstripey · 23/01/2019 11:00

Thank you babooshka I’m still waiting for response from Dermotlogist. Called my GP this morning who still didn’t have an update. The not knowing is the worse bit.

My anxiety is out of control bad. I’ve asked for more CBT to control. It seems to be a long waiting game- I’ve been told at least a 6 month wait. At the moment I don’t have the funds to go private like I have in the past.

I hope everyone else who posted with their love & support is doing well.

OP posts:
Original poster
SadandStripey · 23/01/2019 19:17

I phoned GP just before closing for an update because they were going to get the secretary to chase and asked me to call back then. First I was told I had been referred to dermotlogist, then put on hold and told there no reply as yet, then put on hold again and told they needed clearer clarification on what is going on and they will call me tomorrow. I am now incredibly worried, stressed anxious and confused. Sad

OP posts:
autumngazer · 23/01/2019 19:25

Oh @Sadandstripey I feel your pain. Listen, if it was something serious, it would be obvious and they would know what it is.

Kickinggravel · 23/01/2019 19:40

Op, please try not to panic. Easier said than done. The type of nail cancer you are concerned about is not hugely common, it is also usually associated with people with darker skin tone. I don’t know if you have dark skin but if you don’t it is unlikely you have nail cancer. Bob Marley died of a particular type of nail cancer. It quite rare as far as I know.
Step away from google , take a deep breath. My dc caught their nail in a gate. 3 months later and the black /brown mark in the nail bed is only just gone.
You have done the right thing by going to the dr, you will be fineBrew

Babooshka · 23/01/2019 19:42

That's awful, Sad, so sorry you now have to wait again. I'm pretty sure that if there was any concern whatsoever about melanoma you'd have been immediately referred to a dermatologist but I know that's not helpful to you when you're suffering from anxiety. Hopefully you'll get a clearer answer soon and your mind will be put at rest.

autumngazer · 23/01/2019 20:56

@Sadandstripey I'm just found a podcast called 'not another anxiety podcast with Kelli Walker. I've picked an episode one at random called 'Rumination, Rumination, Rumination' (ep 25).

It's really really good. Have a listen. xx

autumngazer · 23/01/2019 21:42

@Sadandstripey also episodes 128 and 129 are specifically about health anxiety. They're very helpful.

Original poster
Sadandstripey · 23/01/2019 22:00

autumngazer thanks that’s great will check those out. Hopefully only have to wait until tomorrow for a bit more of an answer.

OP posts:
greathat · 23/01/2019 22:33

You wouldn't get matching cancer toes either. Prob something to do with your shoes. Hope you're feeling more relaxed

Original poster
Sadandstripey · 24/01/2019 12:57

The news is there is still no news. Apparently the referral was the photo the doctor sent which still hasn’t been picked up. The GP secretary said they still haven’t prioritised it. (Don’t know what that means). And that the dermotlogist who needs to see it has been on holiday but it would be picked up by end of week.

OP posts:
autumngazer · 24/01/2019 13:15

The fact it's not been marked priority is a good sign.

Babooshka · 24/01/2019 18:59

As one fellow manky nail sufferer with anxiety to another, I'd really take this as a good sign, Sad. I hope you're feeling okay, if you're like me the anxiety comes in waves - when the anxiety hits, no words of reason can convince you not to worry. It's so draining. Take care and take comfort from the fact that your 'referral' was low priority, they clearly can't be that concerned.

autumngazer · 24/01/2019 19:17

@Babooshka how long do your anxiety episodes last? I am in the middle of a bad one now x

Babooshka · 24/01/2019 19:49

Autumn, they can last anything from a couple of hours to several days - it's just the worst feeling. When I'm in the thick of it, I can't listen to reason, I obsess with my thoughts (searching Google for hours if I have a health concern about either myself or a member of my family). I can't eat when I'm anxious and have a constant knot in my stomach. I find talking about it helps, my DH is brilliant at 'talking me down' - he's so calm and rationale (without being patronising!) Are you getting any help for your anxiety? I do feel for you.