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 I can’t sleep, can’t eat and withdrawn from my daily life.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

Hi everyone, I’ve just woken up, didn’t really get any sleep and anxious as ever again. The first though I had as I woke up is I have melanoma and I’m dying I really just wanna scream. My head hurts from all the crying yesterday

Is anyone up? I’m feeling really scared

You need to call a GP today. You can't manage your anxiety until you see your old GP.

Yes, you are right. I’m gonna call one.

I’m taking deep breaths, I’m just terrified of leaving her

A different way of looking at it is that it almost certainly isn't melanoma (as you've had it so long, others in your family have similar etc) but even if it was, if you go to the GP asap they can get on and treat it. I think the bigger thing here is your anxiety. I had the same worries as you and the thing for me was that as soon as my biggest health fear was taken away the next one would just rise to the top of the pile to take it's place. It is understandable that you are worried with such a young child and no real support on this. Please let us know how you get on with the GP.

I really feel for you OP.
First step is your GP for your anxiety, but I also think that not having much support for your DD might not be helping? You need some time to do some self care and have some support.

I used to work in a sure start centre, I know they have had lots of cuts since I worked there but it’s worth seeing if any of these things are still around.

We used to run a group called POPT - Positive outcomes for parenting Teens - what was nice about it was that it was a small, informal, friendly group of young mums so gave the women a chance to get to know each other and make friends

We used to have a small budget for some nursery places for mums who were struggling - I would imagine this doesn’t exist anymore to be honest but it’s worth asking about

Home start

Look after yourself. Please see your GP today x

Hello Pink, most docs open at 8.30 so not long until you can ring them, tell them you are terrified and need some help with health anxiety - it is a horrible thing, I have it too and get panic attacks about having cancer and leaving DS...it feels so real that I struggle to remind myself it's "just" in my head...get some help lovely, things will get easier I promise, you're not going anywhere

It will get easier OP.
Call the docs as soon as you can. This is a really common anxiety. There is help out there.
Take care of yourself.

Thank you, the drs opens at 8. I’m just waiting until then, it’s funny, I never wake up earlier then 9 as my daughter let’s me have a lie in. She’s sleeping now, looks so peaceful, no worries, nothing, she’s so beautiful. I love her a lot

When you get your GP appointment, ask to be referred for counselling. Your problem is your anxiety, not your black nail. I will eat a very large hat if it turns out to be anything nasty! And I AM a doctor!
The counselling is important, because otherwise you will just invent another health scare to obsess over once you’ve been reassured about this one. Pregnancy tends to make women more emotionally labile and at risk of anxiety anyway, so you need help to manage this. Good luck, OP.

I’ve called and been the automated voice message said call back at 8 30 for same day appointments. So just waiting now

My house is a state, I don’t have the energy to clean it. I feel so useless

A good friend of mine developed a new strange mark under her fingernail during pregnancy which had to be investigated - it wasn’t a bad, just an oddly shaped area, think like an irregular mole. She was terrified but she’s absolutely fine. It’s very common for issues with skin pigmentation to change / begin during pregnancy.

I have suffered from dreadful anxiety since I was pregnant and especially around my boys health as one was seriously ill for his first few months and in nicu. I really struggle with it. Get in today, get it checked out and talk to them about your anxiety. This is very common in new mums, they will see it all the time.

You don't need to clean the house. It can wait. Concentrate on playing with your DD and getting to the docs today.
Please make sure you tell the doc about your health anxiety as well as the nail. Don't just say about the nail and then go home and continue to have to deal with the anxiety.

Hey OP, hope you’re feeling a bit better today. If you do manage to get to the docs, ask about your local IAPT service who do free CBT on the NHS. I’m a cbt therapist and I’ve seen lots of people with health anxiety get better, don’t lose hope. Fingers crossed for you that things start getting better soon.

Yes I have a feeling I’m going break down when talking to the dr, I don’t feel very strong today

They won’t see me, have told me to go to a & e.

I don’t think this is urgent enough to go to a&e as I know is my health anxiety talking. I told the receptionist it was urgent and it didn’t really make a difference.

Sorry, I told her I was anxious I mean.

Honestly, if it is melanoma, and you developed it when you were 9, you’d have died long ago.

The fact you’re here and posting about it strongly suggests it’s not melanoma :)

But definitely get it checked, and get help for your anxiety.

I called 111 like an idiot and spoke to a very reassuring lady, she told me to make an non urgent appointment with my gp. She also said she understands how the internet can help but also hinder things so not so worry too much. I felt so stupid when she asked me all the questions and my answer was no to if I’ve basically had any other symptoms

OP ring back and get an appointment. Any appointment is better than no appointment. Even if you have to wait weeks. Nothing will happen to you in the mean time, the mark has been there for years. A&E is probably not the best place to go especially if you are anxious.

I think it's a good idea to discuss your health anxiety with the doctor and see if you can get some help. This is no way to live, you must be exhausted from it.

I’ve called my drs and got an appointment for May 23rd. It’s far but atleast i know In my mind it’s sorted, the lady on 111 obviously didn’t think it was anything bad or she would have told me to get seen urgently. I think I know I’ve spoken to someone with a bit of a medical background I feel a bit more reassured. When I attend the appointment gonna talk to my dr about my anxiety.