Nervous to go to GP

[PomegranateSeedsInASalad]

Hi! I posted on here before about this when I first noticed it but I can’t find the post for some reason and I’ve name changed since then so can’t find it by searching either 😫

anyway, just starting again.

basically I noticed a lump about 4 weeks ago or so I think. It’s rock solid, and I’d say it’s gotten a bit bigger in that time but not dramatically huge or anything.

it’s at the edge of my left collarbone (I’ve attached pictures - it’s hard to see with the lighting but I’ve circled it). It’s solid, doesn’t move when I swallow or push it and it feels like it’s coming from the edge of the left collarbone itself or possibly beside/below it

sounds completely ridiculous but I’m unsure if it’s even a lump or if I’m going mad- because it’s a lumpy bumpy area anyway (edge of the collarbone) it’s hard to tell if it’s normal or not, and sometimes my mind convinces itself that it’s just the edge of the collarbone I’m feeling, but then when I feel it it does feel bigger than the other side. And it’s visible in real life but then I’m like maybe that’s just me looking for it and it’s not really there IYSWIM?

sounds ridiculous but I’ve put off going to the gp for it because I’m worried they’ll say it’s just the edge of the collarbone and think I’m just anxious. Unfortunately I’ve had a lot of GP/hospital appts over the last year (not health anxiety, for an unrelated already diagnosed problem which has been a nightmare to control over the last year!) but because of that I’m worried about going back and it seeming like I’m just really anxious or if there isn’t really a lump and I’m just going crazy

sounds really silly because I know going to get it checked is the sensible thing and it’s not exactly going to be anything serious (it just feels like a hard bit of bone) because I’m in my 20s and healthy, but I’m just so nervous about making an appointment or get it checked! Does anyone have any advice? Thanks x

Do you not have an econsult system? You would be able to submit the pictures and a GP would get back to you as to whether or not you need to be seen. I’m guessing they would want to see you, but as you think they will tell you it’s the edge of the collarbone and econsult would be an easy way to get past that fear.

For your own peace of mind get it checked. Doesn't sound like anything to worry about but you will worry until you're reassured.

No unfortunately nothing like that😫 no online services at all. Our practice is otherwise great but annnoyingly only does appointments by calling at 8.30 and requesting a same day appt. Think that’s part of what’s making me nervous IYSWIM- when 8.30 rolls around and I’m position 40 in the queue it suddenly feels so so nerve wracking and then I’m like nah it’s fine it’ll be nothing and then my brain seems to try and convince me just to leave it!

From feeling it now, it definitely feels like a lump compared to the other side- like on the other side I can feel the nobbly edge of my collarbone, but on the left side it feels like there’s a lump and it goes from the edge of the collarbone to just above and below it and it’s bigger than the other side- it’s really hard to judge but it feels about 2-3cm

unless maybe it’s just a lymph node I’m feeling although I’ve felt lymph nodes on my neck before and this feels different because it’s rock solid and not squidgy or moving IYSWIM

I only noticed it about a month ago although maybe I’ve always had it, just seemed weird though because i feel like I’d have seen it in the mirror or felt it when fake tanning

Please go, op. It’s likely nothing to worry about, but you’ll know this once and for all.

thanks, honestly I don’t know why I’m so nervous about it! I think it’s because I don’t want to be a time waster / seen as being anxious when I know it’ll be nothing

If it's a worry to you you're not wasting time. Book an appointment and put your mind at rest

Try not to worry too much, I have just had breast cancer and had a lump like this - the dr noticed it too but it wasn’t anything to do with the cancer, just my collarbone which is a bit uneven..

Tip op. When you call, do so at 8.29 and 30 seconds on your landline and 8.29 and as it rings dial from your mobile. If the landlines gets the a/m disconnect and go again. This will get your call picked up very close to the line opening and there will be minimal people in the queue.

Good luck.

I doubt it's anything BUT, if it's different to the other side, just go and hopefully they'll happily reassure you it's just your collarbone. This happened to a friend of mine and the GP said "Erm, it's your rib". If it's not just your collarbone then they'll check it out a bit more and you'll be relieved you went.

Thanks for the comments. Right I’m going to suck it up and try to put the nerves to one side and book an appointment on my day off next week

I’m not actually nervous about the lump itself it’s just the whole making an appointment thing and getting grilled by the receptionist on the phone and having to beg for an appointment that puts me off haha

does anyone know what to expect? I’ve never been to the gp before for a lump so have no clue what to expect at all!