Really freaked out by GP

[BlueChewRoy]

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?

If she thought leukaemia, she would have referred you to haematology not dermatology. (Happened to my DH - they don't mess about with "results in a week" if they think it is something that suspect)

Leukaemia! Op, calm down

Do you have hayfever OP? My nose has been quite bad and blocked on and off and I've had a few nose bleeds lately. Apparently the pollen is terrible at the moment.

Petechiae? Perhaps you've been scrubbing yourself too vigorously.

OP sorry to maybe state the obvious, but have you looked at heat rash? Mi kid gets it and it stays for quite a while sometimes. GP might just not have in depth knowledge of skin conditions and playing it safe?

Dermatology would not have been on her radar if she suspected leukaemia. She would have referred you for urgent blood tests instead.

If she thought it was leukemia she'd have told you to go straight to the hospital.

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.

@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?

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.

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

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.

@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.

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.

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..

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?

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

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

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.

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. 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.

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 😂

www.dermsolutionstx.com/covid

Also can be a manifestation of covid??

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.

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.

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?