Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Is there any point going to the GP about this cyst/lump

20 replies

pastabest · 01/01/2018 21:32

I've had a lump on my head for about 10 years, about the size of a large baked bean. I've always assumed it's a cyst and cosmetic and never thought much about it.

Recent it's definitely got bigger (probably now marble sized) and I can feel it constantly. I wouldn't describe it as throbbing but it's definitely a tight uncomfortable feeling. I'm waking up in the middle of the night very occasionally because it feels sore. I'm pregnant again and unfortunately it's on my left side, I currently fall asleep on my back but that's not going to be comfortable for much longer.

Will the GP do anything about it or is it a case of getting it lopped off privately? It's not something I can really afford just coming out of one mat leave and soon entering another...

OP posts:
hungryradish · 01/01/2018 21:34

I think you should get it checked by the GP if it's got bigger & it's causing you discomfort!

SoftlyCatchyMonkey1 · 01/01/2018 21:35

Your GP will probably send you for an ultrasound scan to determine the nature, particularly as it's grown. I wouldn't worry though.

teablanket · 01/01/2018 21:36

I had a similar thing removed on the NHS a few years ago. A quick in-and-out procedure with local anaesthetic.

Paperdolly · 01/01/2018 21:37

There's ALWAYS a point to getting lumps checked out...if only to put your own mind at rest. Make an appointment ... NOW!!! 💐

KiteMarked · 01/01/2018 21:37

Definitely get it checked out - according to previous accounts given by mumsnetters, you may have anything in there ranging from seashells, sewing needles or someone else's tooth! Shock

booksandcoffee · 01/01/2018 21:40

Get it checked. That is exactly what the NHS is there for.

Original poster
pastabest · 01/01/2018 21:42

Polly the NHS is fab but I doubt my rural GP surgery is open at 9.30pm on New Year's Day Grin

I will however book an appointment when I'm there on Thursday for a midwife appointment if people think that's reasonable?

I'm just really reluctant to book an appointment if it's not something the GP will deal with/refer on within the NHS, I would hate to take up an appointment at this time of year when everyone is sickly with chest infections/flu etc and need proper medical help.

The reason I ask is a rudimentary google suggests that the NHS sees this sort of thing as cosmetic now and no longer treats it.

OP posts:
Original poster
pastabest · 01/01/2018 21:43

Or paperdolly but Polly is what my iPad decided was a suitable autocorrect Blush

OP posts:
Original poster
pastabest · 01/01/2018 21:45

Hmmm Kite well it did appear when I was living the high life at university... so who knows!

OP posts:
Doje · 01/01/2018 21:46

Definitely get it checked. It will probably be nothing.

I had a lump, got it checked, doc said all fine, nothing harmful, come back when you want it lopped off and we'll refer you. I was busy... It stayed there for years. Like ten of them. Then, when I got pregnant, it grew! I had a baby, got pregnant again, and it grew more!

I went back after having babies and got the referral etc. Somewhere during that (loooong) process, someone mentioned that your body produces a growth hormone for the baby, and that probably made my lump grow.

Doje · 01/01/2018 21:48

Mine was treated just 18 months ago. Things may have changed from then I suppose though.

Haggisfish · 01/01/2018 21:50

If you can convince them it gets caught on hairbrush or at hairdressers, you have more chance of nhs lopping it off.

Original poster
pastabest · 01/01/2018 21:50

Doje I've suspected that pregnancy may have had something to do with its expansion.

I assume it's the same lovely pregnancy growth hormone that has given me tiny skin tags in my armpits too.

I'm fairly sure it's just a cyst, if it was something nastier it's not managed to kill me off in the last 10 years anyway.

OP posts:
Original poster
pastabest · 01/01/2018 21:53

Might be diffcult to convince anyone I've been to the hairdressers recently. Or used a hairbrush particularly.

I could perhaps insist that it's a problem because birds keep mistaking it for a egg in a very untidy nest?

Actually, it's kind of the reason I've stopped going to the hairdressers. May have attempted the MN haircut ... not a good idea.

OP posts:
SeaToSki · 01/01/2018 21:58

Rule of thumb for lumps and bumps, if it is changing in size, shape or colour, get it double checked by a GP

Haggisfish · 01/01/2018 23:51

I had a sebaceous cyst removed from my scalp like this and actually, it was only once it was gone that I realised how much it has affected me-I wasn’t constantly feeling it or checking it wasn’t visible, and I could go to the hairdresser. My gp was happy to remove mine.

Ashamedandblamed · 01/01/2018 23:53

My mum had this. They got it chopped off very quickly. Please don't delay. It could be something it could be nothing. You owe it to your child to check just incase x

snozzlemaid · 02/01/2018 00:07

My mum had one too. Was there for years causing no bother. Then it changed in size so she saw GP and it was removed very quickly and easily.

HappyAndRelaxed · 02/01/2018 00:08

It could be a cerbatious cyst (spelling?) but if it's getting bigger or changing then go and get it checked out. It's probably nothing but better safe than sorry.

MrsDilber · 02/01/2018 00:25

Yes. Definitely go.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page