I have a bruise like lump on right side - any ideas what it could be? (Photo included)

[Newschapter]

Hi all, sorry for asking and not going to the doctor but I am one of those people who feels like a hypochondriac or that I'm wasting the doctor's time if I make an appointment and it turns out to be nothing.

Anyway, I have had this lump maybe for about six months, but yesterday dh said he thought it had got bigger and a slightly darker. It's like a bruise on my skin but it's not painful or tender to touch.

I have pain inside my back/rib area, like a burning sensation and I did go to the doctor with this maybe last summer? I was referred for an MRI and it came back that my pain was muscular as I have scoliosis (leaning to the opposite side of where this bruise type mark has occured)

So because had been through all this and it was only muscular, I am reluctant to go back to the doctor and say the pain is still there and this bruise has appeared.

Has anyone any ideas what this could be or where I could go to research marks like this?

I have covered up as best as I can in the image and the little peach covers my bum crack so as not to offend

I think the bruise is easy to see but it covers quite a large area and is slightly darker colour than the rest of my skin.

Thanks in advance for reading and any advice will be gratefully received.

No idea, but you should definitely go back to the GP.

I can see it. I have no idea what it might be but if I had that I would be making an appointment to ask to have it looked at.

You’ll send yourself mad googling, just make an appointment tomorrow.

You would not be wasting a Dr's time with that. Get an appointment tomorrow.

See your gp for goodness sake. No one here can diagnose you.

@Marcipex

See your gp for goodness sake. No one here can diagnose you.

Yes, thanks for that, that's why I didn't ask for a diagnosis 😁

I am more concerned because I've already been and had an MRI and surely if there was anything wrong it would have been picked up. Hence not wanting to make a pain of myself during covid when my GP has limited appointments.

Did you have any bloods done at the time ?

@DinosaurDiana

Did you have any bloods done at the time ?

Yes, they said everything came back ok.

I also had a smear which came back clear but also a referral to gynae as I have on and off bleeding. That appointment hasn't came through yet.

You asked if anyone had any idea what it could be.
That’s asking for a diagnosis.

If you hadn't said you had had an MRI , I would have said that combined with the scoliosis it raises the possibility of a plexiform neurofibroma.
Do you have any café au lait spots, or freckling in your armpit or groin?
Or small growth that look like skin tags ?

Anyway, go and see a GP, you are not wasting their time

@Marcipex

You asked if anyone had any idea what it could be. That’s asking for a diagnosis.

Fgs she is asking if anyone has had anything similar/advice whilst waiting for an appointment with Gp, lots of people post things like this on here

I've rang my surgery and sent a photograph through.

The nurse called and asked some questions and said the Dr will call me later.

Thanks everyone for not making me feel like I was being a drama queen.

Well done. Hope you get an answer soon.

I've an appointment for later in the week.

I'll update you all, thanks again.

@Newschapter I hope you managed to see your gp.

@Cormoran thanks for asking, I saw the GP last week and she said she's not worried about it.

She says it's all connected to the curvature in my spine and is muscle/fat/skin.

She thinks if I lose weight the bruise will go away.

I'm not entirely happy with this so am going to make an appointment with a different doctor at the clinic.

• Did you always have the scoliosis or did it occur after the onset on this bruise-like patch?

• Does it still burn? Because a burning sensation would be linked to nerves.

** Clueless-guess nr 1:
If it was higher up, the combination of darker skin+burn+curve would fit notalgia paresthetica. but it can also occur lower.
Do you take allergy medication by any chance that would mask the itching?

** Clueless-guess nr 2:
It could be post inflammatory hyperpigmentation but what was the cause?

You could escalate your "Dr. MN" search and ask Reddit. www.reddit.com/r/AskDocs/ @Newschapter , those who reply presenting themselves as doctors have been "verified"

Another thing to consider is to address and try to correct the abnormal curvature of your spine because if it causing issues when you are still young, you will have a lot of trouble in 30 years time

Yes it burns, like an ache?

I don't take any medication and it doesn't itch.

The doctor said I am not the correct age group to have surgery to correct the spine curvature (I am in my 40's) I was offered it when younger but my mother turned it down.

When I had the MRI and an appointment with the specialist he said muscles around the vertebrate were getting crushed and suggested pain relief or yoga.

My understanding is that depending on the degree of curvature, surgery is still an option as adults, but obviously trying to address the issue first with physio and/or yoga is a good idea.
However for both, you need guidance and clear instructions, and at least in the beginning, someone there correcting your positioning.

Have you tried something? Because if your scoliosis is bad enough to cause inflammation (burning) and bruising, just telling you to lose weight is not very helpful.

I hope the next doctor you see will give you a plan and some physio sessions to get you started.