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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Any GP’s give me some reassurance?

20 replies

Bernie12 · 26/04/2022 15:38

Found this mole under my hair line, god knows how long it has been there. I have health anxiety so really worried, have a GP appointment tomorrow. I would love some reassurance I’ve convinced myself it is a BAsal cell carcinoma

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Bernie12 · 26/04/2022 15:39

Sorry here is photo

Any GP’s give me some reassurance?
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Lockheart · 26/04/2022 15:53

Hi OP, I know you're worried but please don't take medical advice from strangers on the internet. You have no idea of anyone's qualifications or intentions. Just wait to see the doctor tomorrow.

Bernie12 · 26/04/2022 16:20

my anxiety is through the roof, haven’t eaten all day. I’m struggling so bad

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KimWexlersPonyTail · 26/04/2022 16:24

I have had 3 BCCs and think I might have another one, they are not a really big deal, can be taken of in day surgery. Its not like some big deadly cancer. Also, GP will need to refer you to the skin clinic. Dont worry.

whenwilliwillibefamous · 26/04/2022 16:25

OP, tell the GP what you've told us here, when you're at your appointment. The brain is as physical as skin, and it can be treated too.
You don't have to spend the rest of your life with a mind that basically panics all the time, so you have no idea whether you should be worried or not! Things can change, so speak up.

purplepaintedpineapple · 26/04/2022 16:35

I had something similar, went to nurse, she took a few photos and she sent them to a specialist and results came back (negative) a few days later.

Bernie12 · 26/04/2022 16:47

The anxiety is awful, I cannot stop shaking and crying and thinking about my funeral. I used to use sun beds so I keep thinking I will get skin cancer

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Howaboutnope · 26/04/2022 16:49

Sorry OP I've reported, this thread won't do you any favours. Please use your very valuable GP appointment tomorrow to discuss your anxiety as a priority.

Minfilia · 26/04/2022 16:51

I’ve had a BCC. They whipped it off and it was fine. Haven’t had any since and the scar, which was massive at the time, has faded to nothing ten years on!

it isn’t metastatic so is largely not dangerous. I was told one in three people will get them 🤷‍♀️

I also have friends who have had them. I don’t know a single person who has had any problems with it.

Oh and it doesn’t look like a melanoma, which is the dangerous one. In fact it doesn’t really have any of the obvious danger signs of a melanoma from that photo so it really isn’t worth the level of worrying you’re experiencing right now!

If it is a BCC (which you have to remember it might not be) I can assure you it isn’t as scary as you think! But you’re doing the right thing getting it checked.

Pyri · 26/04/2022 16:53

I agree with the other comments, even if it is “something” it’s very easy to rectify

I think your level of upset is something of concern though, worth having a chat with your GP about anxieties too

LibrariesGiveUsPower · 26/04/2022 16:56

OP I think you should also talk to your GP about your health anxiety, it’s pretty extreme to be reacting so badly.

take care and try not to worry about it.

Bernie12 · 26/04/2022 17:18

I’ve got a better photo. Yes I will ask about anxiety as it is out of control

Any GP’s give me some reassurance?
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Minfilia · 26/04/2022 20:40

That looks symmetrical to me. Mine was jagged and pearly and had very obvious colour changes. It was also 8mm across and grew rapidly!

Could still be BCC of course but even if it is then it’s honestly SO easy to treat. In a couple of weeks it’ll be gone and that’s that!

Nelliephant1 · 26/04/2022 20:46

Doesn't look like a Basel cell but I'm not qualified. That said we've had numerous Basel cell CAs in the family and if your going to have something, that's the one to get. Doesn't spread and easily taken off.

Sounds like an anxiety issue more than anything else. Anxiety is hideous so make sure you get proper treatment for it 💐

Bernie12 · 26/04/2022 20:48

Thanks so much everyone. I know I need this anxiety treating. I’ll mention it at my appointment

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Notimeforaname · 26/04/2022 21:28

Best thing to do when youre anxious is try to eat and drink something.
Even a cracker and a cup of tea. Something with protein is even better so maybe a glass of milk and something light to snack on...and egg ..peanut butter or crackers.
Anything you can manage. Put something on tv or read.

Worrying now will do nothing but keep the stress hormone high in your body and that's of absolutely no use to you.

Knifer · 26/04/2022 23:43

Hi there. I know how you feel.

Just before Christmas about five years ago, I noticed a very dark brown/black raised spot between one of my toes that definitely had not been there before. I plucked up the courage to go to the GP. Unlike many people with health anxiety, I will avoid the doctors until I'm utterly convinced I'll die if I don't, because I'm terrified that I'll get bad news and if I don't go, I can't get it and it won't be happening. It's most irritating! Anyway. The GP looked at it and said "oh dear, that does look concerning. I can see red in it too. Not good at all. I suspect that's something very nasty." They referred me to dermatology and said there would normally be a 2 week wait at most but as it was Christmas time it could be 4.

I spent all of Christmas and new year crying in the bath or shower, begging to all the gods I don't believe in not to take my children's mummy away from them, googling like mad and obsessively staring at my foot, mentally planning my funeral. I had palpitations, nausea, insomnia. I could barely eat, I was in a 24/7 panic, replaying "I suspect that's something very nasty" over and over.

It actually turned out to be a blood blister and the dermatologist was most annoyed with the GP, but I wanted to show I do understand what you're going through right now. And I know that the other posters telling you about BCC will only have you thinking about the what if's of that situation, no matter how extremely unlikely those are. But you should listen to them, because if that's what that is (probable that it's just a normal mole really though) they're here posting about it to you. Not dead and buried from a bunch of abnormal cells that do nothing but sit there in 99.999% of cases. They're reassuring you from experience and almost every single person who got diagnosed with BCC today will be absolutely fine and have no consequences at all. The whole world over. And the majority of people who ended up at dermatology to query BCC or SCC were told they had normal moles.

Bernie12 · 27/04/2022 06:28

@Knifer thanks so much. I honestly hate the panic that I feel. I had PND after my last baby and thought 50mg of sertraline was really helping…obviously not

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Bernie12 · 27/04/2022 06:56

Could also kick myself for using sun beds so much in teens and early 20’s, how could I be so stupid

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Bernie12 · 27/04/2022 10:12

GP said he was 100% sure it’s absolutely fine. I had a good chat with him about how I felt and he is arranging some therapy. Thanks for all your lovely replies, I wouldn’t have slept at all last night without you all. So supportive thank you xx

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