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Original poster

Need to off-load a small worry.

26 replies

Loonytoonie · 11/04/2011 21:09

I have had a small mark on my upper leg for years, like a tiny tiny bruise. It's changed, become lumpier and purple like but because it's small, thought nothing of it. Working from home today and....idle hands.... google imaged it and now it seems that I should be worrying. Am really worried that I have some form of skin cancer as it looks exactly like the pictures I googled. Don't want to tell anyone else - husband has work worries and has barely slept so this will make him worse. Needed to vent a bit to try and ease my concern Sad

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Original poster
Loonytoonie · 11/04/2011 21:10

Docs in the morning. Have already made the appointment.

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ChickensHaveNoEyebrows · 11/04/2011 21:11

Ok. Well, any health worries need checking by a doctor. It's probably just a vein gone mad or something, but think how much better you'll feel to have a trained professional say that Wink So go on. Book in with your GP :)

Hassled · 11/04/2011 21:14

Google is the work of the devil, sometimes :). Good that you're seeing the Dr - he/she will either say don't be so silly, or deal with a very treatable and localised problem. Whichever it is, always better to know. I can see why you're wobbly - I would be - but even if it's worst case scenario, it's treatable. And it will probably be nothing.

Original poster
Loonytoonie · 11/04/2011 21:23

Thanks for your replies. I've had no one to talk to about it (everyone around me at the moment are neck-deep in personal issues so didn't want to add to the pile) and my mind has been working in over-drive.

I always keep a level head on things and don't usually resort to googling symptoms - a headache is always a brain tumour on some sites! On a positive note, the GP I'm seeing is the dermatology specialist for the practice so he'll be pretty spot on, I'm sure. Just want to get it over and done with now.

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Acekicker · 11/04/2011 21:28

Well done for making the appointment - I probably go in to see our doc every couple of years or so to get some sort of mole/freckle/strange skin thing checked out. GPs are very used to it and ours actively encourage people to get things checked out as even if it was nasty, like Hassled said, getting it checked at this stage means it won't be a big deal...

What you said about a headache is always a brain tumour if you google also applies to 'small marks on upper legs' too don't forget! Smile

Karia · 11/04/2011 21:30

Sounds like a weak or a varicose vein. They run in my family, when I was 25 I had a small vein in my leg rupture or burst I think and I got a spectacularly dark purple bruise over it. Went to the GP really worried and he just said "it's fine!". Don't panic :)

Original poster
Loonytoonie · 11/04/2011 21:33

Thanks again - this is all helping. I'm off to have a bath now and will properly breathe for the first time in hours Grin. Thank you.

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Original poster
Loonytoonie · 12/04/2011 11:22

Update - went to my GP and the mark is a cellular Blue Nevus. It's got to come off and first available appointment is in a month (he has skin surgery every monday and between full lists and bank holidays, that's the first available slot for me). He wants it analysed to rule out any nasties. I shouldn't have (I know I know) but I googled it and found that generally, their ok, but some aren't and turn out to be really aggressive melanoma's. Trying to keep a level head on things and be logical. Can someone silence the hypochondriac voice in my head please Sad

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iwantavuvezela · 12/04/2011 11:26

Loonytoonie ... do step away from google. Tell yourself that you have done a good thing - you have gone to the doctor; you have an appointment to have it removed - and you are in good hands. Let them worry (the specialists) for you now! What you could do if you are feeling anxious is speak to the receptionist at the skin surgery, and let her know you are available if there are any late cancellations.
Anything removed is analsyed - i even had a skin tag analysed - its just what they do ....
sending you a big hug, as I do understand ..... and will have my fingers and toes crossed for you ...

Original poster
Loonytoonie · 12/04/2011 11:37

iwantavuvezela Thank you. I've not looked at google again, and I won't now. I will give the docs a call like you said and put my name forward for any cancellations. Thanks for this -I needed a steadying hand!

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blinks · 12/04/2011 11:41

it's very rare for it to be malignant but following a change in appearance, always best to rule it out so you've done the right thing... how long has it looked different for?

Original poster
Loonytoonie · 12/04/2011 12:02

blinks, I've noticed it lumpier and slightly more prominent for about 1 month. The lump is felt under the skin with only a tiny bit raised on the surface. To be honest, because it's only about 3 mm in size, I'd dismissed it as anything that needed looking at. Glad I've gone though.

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NoelEdmondshair · 12/04/2011 12:22

Loonytoonie - your GP will have seen plenty of these cases and will have a good idea if it's a bad 'un or not. If he was concerned he'd been re-jigging his skin clinic to fit you in or sending you off to the hospital.

Hugs from a fellow worrier Smile

Original poster
Loonytoonie · 12/04/2011 12:52

Aw thanks NoelEdmondshair - hug duly appreciated (and needed). You speak sense. He is a really senior 'Skin' GP so I have absolute faith in him. Thanks again Smile

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Garlicrisotto · 12/04/2011 14:45

Loony - they ALWAYS biopsy anything they cut out. I've had loads of bits cut out of me over the years.

blinks · 12/04/2011 15:23

1 month isn't long which is great... much better to get these things looked at quickly if they start changing/spreading.

Original poster
Loonytoonie · 12/04/2011 19:47

Took a call from the health centre today. It appears that the GP wants it chopped out sooner and has re-scheduled some appointments to fit me in. Having it removed next Monday Hmm

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NoelEdmondshair · 12/04/2011 20:02

Good! Your GP has decided that your thingy takes priority over someone else's skin tag. He wants your thingy off you and analysed so that he can make sure you're OK.

Another hug.

Original poster
Loonytoonie · 12/04/2011 20:05

Smile feel better already! Thanks. I'm usually the one to dole out sensible advice to my friends and now that I'm needing some, I can't talk about it in RL. Am I weird? lol.

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Acekicker · 12/04/2011 22:00

Glad you're feeling ok - step away from the internet (apart from here of course). Keep talking here - it's not weird at all to want to offload online rather than in RL!

Original poster
Loonytoonie · 12/04/2011 22:17

Thanks Acekicker. I'll hang around here, most definitely.

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Garlicrisotto · 13/04/2011 11:09

Loony - that's good, you've obviously got a good GP who could tell you were anxious. There are some good uns going about.

Original poster
Loonytoonie · 18/04/2011 21:37

Update - had the mole chopped out today. All fine and I'm feeling only a teeny bit apprehensive about the result, but the GP told me to see him in 3 weeks, so I'll need to engage a bit of logic and calm down. 3 stitches in my upper leg and they only ache occasionally, so all is well.

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Acekicker · 18/04/2011 21:43

Glad the chopping went well and you're not too achey. I have no idea about the procedure of this kind of thing, but I'd imagine that GP's probably know what potentially 'dodgy' moles look like when they remove them, so I'd say that him saying 3 weeks time is a good thing... Hope the waiting isn't too bad - think of it this way, by the time we're done with all the bank holidays, it will only be a few more days...

NoelEdmondshair · 18/04/2011 22:05

Glad it went well, Loony.