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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Doctor said its fine but I'm not convinced (mole)

38 replies

anxiousmess81 · 02/02/2021 21:29

Hi all. I'm posting here to get some opinions from general people. Previously posted in general health which was very helpful but need to know if I'm wrong here. Will try to keep this as short as possible.

I've had a mole (brown, raised) since childhood. Never really bother me, the occasional irritation after bath etc but was always fine. It's on my torso, about an inch down from breasts.

Had my daughter in 2018, I'm petite and she was 6.5 lb. After this the mole got bigger. Put it down to stretched skin. I know they can change during pregnancy also.

A while ago I noticed there was a little bit extra growing off the side of it. Thought it was weird but thought no more of it. Since then, it has gotten darker, slightly bigger I think. It started itching months ago and I finally plucked up the courage to call docs last week. Telephone appointment and was asked to send photo. Did that and he said he wasn't concerned but to go in Friday last week. I went to see him, explained the problems, it's very itchy, if my clothes touch it it's unbearable. Explained the bit growing off the side. There is a white bit on it too which wasn't there before. It's to the point where I'm having to wear tight fitting vest tops because it itches less when the fabric can't move freely. I was fully expecting him to refer me but he didn't. He said it looked regular shaped, asked again about the bit of growth and white bit and he said it was normal. Said I was worried about melanoma and he said it wasn't that. Asked if I could be put on waiting list as it's causing me problems and he said no, they won't remove that, also that I'll be left with a scar. He was adamant there was nothing wrong with it. I've been seeing him for years and always thought he was good, if abrupt. He also said it looked more like a brown nevus than a mole. Of course, I googled brown nevus, turns out that nevus is just the medical term for mole anyway!

I have to take a picture in 4 weeks with a measuring tape and send it to him. He measured it at 6mm.

The trouble is, the itching is terrible, i can't wear a bra because it catches, it itches to the point of weird pain sometimes. I can't wear anything bar a tight vest and it's affecting my use of seat belt.

I'm dubious that he has dismissed these symptoms. Would I be right to question his opinion? Would he take the risk of he wasn't sure it was nothing? Is it possible he has this wrong?

OP posts:

Terminallysleepdeprived · 02/02/2021 21:32

There is nothing to atop.you asking for a second opinion.

However, if it is rubbing on your bra then everything you describe could just be a skin irritation.

BungleandGeorge · 02/02/2021 21:36

Personally if I was worried I’d book a private appointment, it isn’t very expensive to get moles looked at. Have you tried putting a dressing over it if it’s rubbing?

Original poster

anxiousmess81 · 02/02/2021 21:37

This is the thing, I haven't worn a bra for months because of it. If ky clothes touch it it's like a little bolt of lightning goes through me. It's affecting how i move because I am always conscious of my clothes touching it. I was terrified of seeing him as I was sure he was going to say it looked weird and I want to believe its nothing but it's the constant itching that's making me think it cannot be right.

OP posts:

freakdechic · 02/02/2021 21:38

Definitely ask for a second opinion or go private, it would out your mind at ease

Coughsyrupsucks · 02/02/2021 21:38

Push for a referral. It’s itchy, 3 colours, has changed shape and painful. All of that should mean you are referred.

Do you have photos of it from before at all? Even a holiday one? I had a similar argument with our GP about a mole on my husbands back but I’d been photographing it for 10 years after I lost a friend to skin cancer. As soon as she saw the changes he was on a 10 day referral.

There are mole clinics where you can get it looked at independently. Boots do one, and there’s one called Mole. Maybe they can help of your GPis of no help.

Terminallysleepdeprived · 02/02/2021 21:39

It sounds like there are nerves being aggravated by it.

It could be nothing or it could be something. Make another appointment and explain you want to speak to a different dr as you would like a second opinion.

Original poster

anxiousmess81 · 02/02/2021 21:39

@BungleandGeorge

Personally if I was worried I’d book a private appointment, it isn’t very expensive to get moles looked at. Have you tried putting a dressing over it if it’s rubbing?

I tried putting a large plaster over it to get me through the month until I send another photo but I had to take it off as the movement was making it worse. It seems the itch radiates out around it and the plaster made it worse. I wouldn't mind of I had to go private if it sorted th problem. I don't care about a scar. Even if it is benign, I cant put up with the restrictions.

OP posts:

Original poster

anxiousmess81 · 02/02/2021 21:41

I did actually contact a private dermatologist at a private hospital and they still want a referral. This is what i thought, as it has changed although not drastically, has white on it and is itching like mad I was fully expecting a referral.

OP posts:

midnightstar66 · 02/02/2021 21:43

Ive got quite a lot of moles, a couple like you describe. Also had the painful white bit that eventually turned out to be a spot on the same site that eventually popped and gave me instant relief. I've been looked over by a consultant dermatologist because of a suspicious lump on my nose which was biopsied and he barely glanced at the raised moles including the one that was causing the issue. I'd get a second opinion for piece of mind but I think the concerns are rather different to the standard moles we've been taught about. More red crusting dark spots rather than raised moles from what I can gather

Notthis2 · 02/02/2021 21:43

I would definitely book a private appointment at a dermatologist if you can, it may well be nothing but always better to air on the side of caution. I've very strange looking moles and have since I was a baby and I keep an eye on them and have had them checked , I avoid any exposure to the sun on them but none of them have ever itched.
Again it could be nothing at all, I know people who have had moles itch and fall off etc and they've been fine but good idea to get a second opinion.

happylittlevegemites · 02/02/2021 21:45

Could it be a third nipple! I had a mole that went a bit odd during/after pregnancy, and that’s what it is!

bluebluezoo · 02/02/2021 21:48

Did you tell him you couldn’t wear a bra?

I’ve just had something very similar sounding removed. However while they thought it was benign, it was removed due to the rubbing on my bra as they thought that would be a problem in itself.

Fwiw I saw the nurse practitioner, not a GP for the referral.

Although in the first instance the derm did pretty much what you have been advised, photo, then recheck to see what it was doing, then a visit to the clinic.

GlamGiraffe · 02/02/2021 21:52

I was going to say the same as @happylittlevegemites. Extra niples look like moles but occur along the lines of milk ducts in the breast area. Would make sense about it changing and going lumpy during pregnancy.

Original poster

anxiousmess81 · 02/02/2021 21:52

Thank you. I'm panicking again now. I've been a mess about it for ages. I have also read that melanoma is usually flat, red crusty and sometimes bleeding. This area has never really been exposed to the sun, when it was years ago I either put factor 50 on it or a round plaster. How would I find a dermatologist? I emailed the private hospital, they want a referral not sure why as I'd be paying anyway. I also emailed the plastic surgery clinic at the same hospital who do mole removal, it's £451. Not sure they would the biopsy it? Just don't know where to go from here

OP posts:

Original poster

anxiousmess81 · 02/02/2021 21:56

@bluebluezoo

Did you tell him you couldn’t wear a bra?

I’ve just had something very similar sounding removed. However while they thought it was benign, it was removed due to the rubbing on my bra as they thought that would be a problem in itself.

Fwiw I saw the nurse practitioner, not a GP for the referral.

Although in the first instance the derm did pretty much what you have been advised, photo, then recheck to see what it was doing, then a visit to the clinic.

Did you then have to pay the the removal? No I didn't mention the bra stupidly. I just mentioned not being able to wear my clothes properly. I sometimes drive without a seat belt as it really affects it. I can't wash the area properly due to the itching. I'm always hunched forward sitting or walking trying to keep my clothes off it. It's just so miserable. If my daughter put her hands anywhere near it I grab them like a ninja.

OP posts:

Horehound · 02/02/2021 21:56

@happylittlevegemites

Could it be a third nipple! I had a mole that went a bit odd during/after pregnancy, and that’s what it is!

:o I've got one as the op describes and an inch down from my boob. It developed a lump in the middle and now you've said it, it does seem like a miniature third nipple!! Omg. I want it offff. Also gave birth late 2019

SaltyMermaid · 02/02/2021 21:57

I had a flesh coloured mole on my face for years and started catching it on clothing, sunglasses, when I washed my face etc. I didn't think there was anything untoward about it but was nervous about the thought of having it removed because it was on my face.

My friend had one removed from hers at a private clinic and I could not believe how teeny the scar was and it just disappeared. So I thought fuck it I am going to get it removed. I booked in with a private skin clinic. Had a consultation then booked in for removal. They just laser it off and there was a whole host of videos of the procedures being performed on the clinic website including follow up appointments to you could see how it looked later.

Small injection to numb my face. The mole was just below my eye socket bone next to my nose. Brilliantly done, but they did tell me at the end that it was not just a mole, that I had basal cell carcinoma instead. I had to keep an eye on it to see if it ever grew back. That was years ago and it never has grown back. The scar is teeny and you cannot see it unless you know where to look. Considering I looked like a cigarette had been put out on my face it was incredible.

Are there any skin surgery clinics near you?

GlamGiraffe · 02/02/2021 21:58

kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/extra-breast-tissue/

Is it in this location?

Original poster

anxiousmess81 · 02/02/2021 22:01

@SaltyMermaid

Are there any skin surgery clinics near you?

Jesus, I'm glad you had it removed and that you are okay. I cried in the doctors room. So embarrassed. For months I was convinced it was cancerous, I was literally shaking when he was looking at it. The relief when he told me it was nothing was too much. But it's just not right. So I'm very worried again.

There is one, but the reviews are terrible. I don't know what I'm looking for really.

OP posts:

Original poster

anxiousmess81 · 02/02/2021 22:03

@GlamGiraffe

kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/extra-breast-tissue/

Is it in this location?

Sorry, I'm a bit thick. What location? Anywhere between the milk lines?

OP posts:

Dee1975 · 02/02/2021 22:08

Keep Pushing. I had an itchy ‘Mark’ (it would
Also bleed) and went to the GP many times over a 15 year period. First diagnosis was ‘it’s a spot’. Anyway, this spot was there for 15 years until a gp finally said ‘well I don’t know what it is - let’s get you referred’.
It was Basel cell carcinoma. A form of skin cancer. 15 years undiagnosed!
So do keep pushing.
It does sound like the bra may be causing some itching. But always best to have it checked out further.

Dobbyismyfavourite · 02/02/2021 22:15

OP I would either ask for a second opinion or go back to your doctor and just ask for a referral to a private dermatologist. Google dermatologists in your area read their biography, check reviews and book an appointment. You will either be reassured by a specialist or have the mole removed and analysed.

I've had numerous moles removed over the years but any changes such as size, itching or bleeding should be investigated. Try not to panic though as I had several moles significantly increase in size after pregnancy.

mmmammma · 02/02/2021 22:31

Sorry haven't read the full thread, I had a raised mole on my torso that got bigger and then had black growths on it. GP checked it and said it was nothing to worry about, couldn't get a referral. (I too was convinced it was cancer and couldn't believe how casual gp was about it) I ended up having it surgically removed privately (mole and margin of surrounding skin for peace of mind), had it tested and it was all clear. I do have a scar, but don't mind it. Is a private clinic an option at all? (It's not cheap, but I figured peace of mind / eliminate future risk from that specific mole would be worth it)

Bilgepumper · 02/02/2021 22:39

Don’t delay, book an appointment with a private Consultant Dermatologist. Your GP is obligated to give you a referral letter, just call the surgery and say you need one.

I did exactly this. The private doctor saw me that week, before he’d even got the referral. I had a biopsy for query malignant melanoma. The result came back as normal skin tissues but believe me, paying for the private consultant was worth every penny.

watchingabike · 02/02/2021 22:41

I think you need to tell a medical professional exactly what you've said here. We can't fix this. And neither can they unless you tell them. It could be absolutely nothing but you'll get no answers asking on here

Please explain all to a doctor

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