Mole - GP appointment Friday

[anxiousmess81]

Have name changed for this.

Just looking for some advice or reassurance as I'm going out of my mind. I suffer with bad anxiety in general so this really isn't helping.

I've had a mole on my torso since early childhood. About an inch or two down from my breasts in the middle. Always hated it as it was always quite large, darkish brown and stuck out. Over the years, it would itch slightly after I'd had a bath, or a day here and there, not often, then would stop. When I was pregnant in 2018 it got bigger, not a huge amount but noticeable. I put it down to the skin being stretched. It was fine, nothing worrying.

Then one day a good few months ago, I noticed a little bit of extra growth on the side of it. Thought it was weird but didn't think too much about it. A few months ago, it started getting a bit itchy more regularly. And for the past month or more it's been bothering me a lot. I find it itches and feels sensitive/tickly when I'm wearing loose clothes and the clothes brush it. Rarely itches when there are no clothing touching it (but this has increased lately). I find wearing tighter vest tops better when there is something constantly touching the skin. It can also feel slightly painful on the odd occasion if i am bending down or something.

I have been in a hole of anxiety for months about it. Sometimes it feels I will collapse from the anxiety. I always think the worst and my worst fear is leaving my daughter as I don't have any other family. I finally plucked up the courage today to call the doctor. I was shaking like a leaf. They asked me to send a picture to their email address so the doctor could look at it and call me back. I did this. He then called and i explained everything I have just done here. He said he was looking at the photo, that it looked a regular shape, i can't remember his exact words as my mind was going nuts but from what I can tell, he didn't seem concerned. He said that moles can get itchy for no reason. I do trust the doctor as I've been seeing him for years, but I'm still really worried. He's basically said it looks normal to him but gave me an appointment for Friday so he can see it properly in daylight. I am absolutely terrified. I know pregnancy can affect it and I've also been breastfeeding for thw last 2.5 years so not sure if these hormones would cause changes too?

I’ve had one on my face which itches from time to time but I’ve had it checked a couple of times over the years & have been reassured that it’s fine. You’re doing the right thing by having it checked and hopefully, the fact that the GP has actually looked at it, will put your mind at rest.

Thank you. Would the GP be able to tell if it was anything to be really concerned about by looking at it?

Yes. Mine had a chart to refer to and said she sees a it of moles!

A lot of moles, that should say.

I had a mole on my knee that suddenly appeared during pregnancy. I ever queried it until it too started itching and seemed to grow. I went to my GP who had a really good look at it under a magnifier. She said that she didn’t think it looked nasty but it wasn’t her area of expertise so she would refer me to a specialist anyway.

I got an appointment really quickly. A specialist looked at it and told me he suspected it was a Nevus of reed (or something like that) and totally benign but that they’d remove it there and then and send it away to be tested. I had the results back in 6 weeks (I was told no news probably meant good news) and it was benign but high was a huge relief. I’ve really suffered with health anxiety in the past so I sympathise with how you feel. It really is awful and I can completely relate to the feeling like you’ll collapse with anxiety. It’s awful. The best thing you can do is go and see your GP though. It’s worth it for peace of mind alone.

Thank you all. I am really panicking today. I just had a vm from the doctor asking to call in because he wants a word. Called back and they receptionist asked if i could go in today. I asked if the afternoon was okay, she went to check and said no it's OK he'll see you tomorrow. What could have changed or been so urgent that he decided he wanted to see me today?

Maybe they had a cancellation and they were trying to fill up today’s slots?

That's what my friend said but it makes no sense that he called me himself. Wouldn't the reception do that?

I really wouldn't read anything into that OP. He had a few minutes and tried phoning. Perhaps a cancellation. I had a mole on my lower back which my GP checked as it had become itchy but it was a blocked pore next to it.

Thank you. I am doing my nut. I think if it was that urgent he would have made sure he spoke to me or got me in today. I also said I could make it in about ab hour/hour and half and they said no and to keep the appointment tomorrow. Concerned though as the Dr himself left Vm at 8:49am, then they tried again at 10:22 but left no message.

He was setting up his workday I'd say and trying to squeeze you in. Don't stress. He's just double checking after seeing the photo. 💐

anxious he would not have said it looks normal unless he thought that. He's double-checking. Totally understand the health anxiety. I had a breast lump checked and was beside myself that I'd die leaving ds. Had to get my anxiety under control afterwards.

I've had similar just before Christmas, and just be aware that if they refer you to the dermatology clinic it may go through under the fast cancer pathway. My GP reassured me that he really wasn't expecting it to be cancerous (it wasn't) and 90% of the referrals they get to our local one are completely benign, but it's marked as cancer pathway to make sure. Handhold from me

I had that with the breast lump doolalley. They don't take any risks. Hope you're feeling okay OP.

Thanks again all. It's really messed me yp today and I'm convinced there is going to be bad news. At this point even if it is vad, I just hope that I've not left it long enough that it's spread somewhere. I keep getting weird pains and I'm connecting the two. My worry is that when I emailed the first photo, it was a bit blurry, so I sent another about 10 mins later. He called about 5 minutes after sending the second photo. So I'm worried that what he said yesterday was going by the first photo, and he saw the second one this morning and decided it looked bad and called me. But both were sent by yesterday morning so I'm thinking he would have seen the second one yesterday anyway?

@anxiousmess81 this is definitely your anxiety speaking. You’re overthinking everything, I’ve had 3 rapid referrals in the last 4 years and have exhausted my self with worry each time.
Every thing turned out to be fine each and every time.
Last year I convinced myself I had Motor Neurone Disease and got into a really dark place. I was diagnosed with PND and put on citalopram which eventually started to work. I recently had another baby and every day I can feel myself being pulled back into the cycle of health anxiety, sleepless nights and google rabbit holes.

It’s really tough.

Hey OP

I can’t help with the mole but wanted to just say I’m in a similar head spin. Noticed I had an enlarged tonsil. Doctor said wasn’t too worried but referred me ( not urgent) to ENT and I’ve got an appointment next weds ( as went private).

I also have anxiety and have gone into a complete panic about this - convinced it is tonsil cancer via google and having to try really hard not to cry around my two little DC ( single mum). So just wanted to reach out and say I know exactly how you feel but reading your message I can see you probably don’t have too much to worry about - although I know that won’t help!

Anyway this has reminded me that whatever I really truly must get on top of my health anxiety ( or at least try).

@user1488481370 - sleepless nights and google rabbit holes put it so perfectly ( my health anxiety also developed out of PND).

Sorry that sounded about me!

What I was trying to say is it is your anxiety speaking. I know it’s so hard but really try to hold onto that and know whatever happens you will deal with it. You are nearly there now so lots of luck tomorrow

Not at all. I'm a single mother too which makes it harder. I cannot leave her in the care of others. Looking at her lately causes me to tear up. I hope it all goes well for you. A non urgent appointment doesn't sound bad. I am dreading what he will have to say tomorrow. On looking at it mt friend has said there's a white blob. I haven't looked at the photos I took myself because I can't bear to. Took them with a sheer scarf over my head as ridiculous as that sounds.

This is the sort of thing that totally builds up in your head, but I'd actually less scary once you're getting on and getting it sorted. GPs see loads of moles and will be able to have a proper look for you.

Also, there's no point googling it or trying to analyse it yourself - you'll automatically match it to cancer!! I've had moles with white patches, a weird thing on my face, something on
my toe - had them all checked out, all different things and none of them cancer. But when I googled them the only result I looked at was the worst one!

I hope that is the case. It has really worried me that he has called today though, I actually felt a little better after speaking to him Wednesday but that's gone out of the window now. I haven't eaten a crumb today with the anxiety. Doubt I will sleep but will just have to wait until tomorrow

I had a mole removed on Monday from my back. Took pictures in June. Doctor felt it looked ok, but sent it to consultant in dermatology form a look in case. Saw consultant Dec 23rd; removed Monday. I had it scraped off rather than cut out. No stitches. Scrapings gone away for analysis. Doctor didn't feel it was suspicious but sent away to be sure.

Thank you allycat. That's slightly put my mind at rest. I came across a post on here earlier, the ABCD thing of moles and panicked because I thought I have every single one, plus itching on top. At this point I don't even care if it's cancerous, just as long as it hasn't spread. In my experience, when anyone close to me has gone to the doctors, it's cancer and the type that you can do nothing about. Lung cancer not skin.

Have you had the results yet tinytemper?