Black nail. Terrified.

[Pinkbedsheets]

So since I was younger (about 9) I had a black pigment band on my nail (19 now) during my pregnancy (my dd is 16 months now) I noticed it spreading. Google tells me pregnancy can do that, or that I have melanoma. If it helps I am of darker skin and I’ve noticed in my family people have them quite commonly on their toes. Tbh I’m so scared I have melanoma and I’m going to die and not see my daughter grow up. I can’t sleep, can’t eat and withdrawn from my daily life. I’m going to go to the drs but that won’t be for a couple of weeks as I can’t get an appointment. I’m so scared

Forgot to say I do have health anxiety also and I’m really struggling with that

Why won’t it be for a couple of weeks? If you think you have cancer ring tomorrow and ask for an appointment that day? Although if you’ve had it for 10 years then a few weeks will probably make no difference.

Realistically, it’s probably nothing, but if you can’t eat or sleep and are withdrawing from daily life either get an emergency appointment or go to the walk in centre.

I’m so scared, when my daughter had a nap I honestly cried. I’ve been dealing with health anxiety for so long, I know it sounds stupid but I really do think I’m going to die and leave behind my dd

I’ve moved into a new area so don’t have a drs atm, so I’m just allowing time for the sign up process. I will call one of them tomorrow and explain

Do call. But it's highly unlikely you developed melanoma at aged 9 surely. You need to make that appointment. They can check it out, put your mind at rest and also discuss treatment for the health anxiety. That sounds like the real issue.

I will call, I’m just anxious as the nail band has spreaded. I know it’s unlikely, but there’s is a possibility. I know the health anxiety is the real issue, but I know feel I can talk to anyone in real life about it without them thinking I’m crazy

I don’t know if anyone will see this but I have no one else to talk to. I’m pretty sure I’m having a panic attack, I’m can’t breathwe
I can’t just about type, I think I’m gonna throw up
I don’t wanna leave my baby

You've always had it with no ill effects and google says pregnancy can do it and it happened while you were pregnant so it seems very likely to be a harmless effect of pregnancy. It's worth getting it checked but don't worry it's much more likely to be pregnancy related changes.

No one else can fix this for you. You have to decide to get help.

Oh OP, I couldn’t read and run.

Are you able to go and make a cup of tea and sit quietly for a bit to try to calm down?

You're not crazy.
You're not leaving your baby for MANY years to come.
That doesn't mean you're not unwell. The anxiety (such an innocent sounding word) is making you feel like this.
Breathe out. Slowly.
Breathe in. Slowly.
Count if it helps. Slowly.
You can do this but you will need support and treatment for the health anxiety.
But you're not mad and no Heath professional will think you are.
Do seek help. Call tomorrow?

I didn't want to read and run either. Deep breaths. Focus on breathing. You'll be ok. Health anxiety is common. It will get better.

I can’t breathe. I feel so bad, I’m home alone and my baby is watching me cry babbling along

You can breathe. You are breathing. You are safe and you will get through this.
Breathe out.
Now in.
Slowly.
Then decide on something to distract you.
Can anyone be with you?

No one can be with me. I have no partner, I have my mum but she’s sick of dealing with it with me so I can’t talk to her. I have no one

Since this is common in your family why not call a family member who may know something about it. Someone to talk to may help. If you call the GP tomorrow and say that you have been told this is a sign of cancer and its making you anxious they will get you an appointment on the day.

I don’t feel comfortable to call anyone. I don’t have a gp, I’m gonna call around tomorrow and ask for an appointment, I honestly can’t cope with the anxiety anymore. I haven’t eaten all day, all I wanna do is cry

Oh sweetheart, exactly the same happened to me last year. I had a far

I had a dark band on my nail. I googled and convinced myself it was melanoma. I had a panic attack. The next day I got a msame day appointment. It was fine in the end. It's your health anxiety talking. Don't look at google. Speak to a doctor

Sorry for the rubbish posting but my phone is being an arse.

I work at a doctors. If someone hasn't got a doctors, but has an emergency (or even if it's likely not, but it is to them and they're very upset), then I ask them to bring the reg forms in ASAP, get admin to put them on as an emergency and they can see one of the doctors that day. Even if you've had it for ages, more concerning to me would be your level of anxiety over it, which would warrant an emergency appointment. Just make it clear how much this is affecting you. GP receptionists aren't all witches, I promise

The google descriptions definitely tend towards the ominous!

I managed to call Samaritan’s for a chat and I’ve calmed down now. I just have a constant feeling of dread hanging over me, I know my health anxiety is the problem but I’m really convinced I do have melanoma. It’s just the thought of not seeing my daughter grow up which scares me so so much

But you will see her grow up
What you need to do is see a GP, get the health anxiety sorted and have her growing up seeing you happy and healthy.

I just hope I can see a gp tomorrow. I honestly can’t deal with it mentally for another day. I’m gonna put her in my bed tonight and snuggle up extra close. I need the cuddles