Hi.

I'm going through something like this.

I went to the gp today as I was concerned about a newmole/growth on my upper left arm ..it's been there Bout 2 years I think. I never really thought much of it but over the resent weeks it has changed and become itchy.. also I noticed a lump on the right side of my neck and when I had feel I discovered 4 more 2 of them being on the collar bone. I went to my gp this morning and she has fast track me on the 2 week rule to get the mole checked out. So currently sat here worring and being angry at myself for not going to my gp sooner ! My advise is to go and get it checked. Hopefully it will be nothing but its better to get things checked sooner ! 

Hi there. 

I also have a melanoma question mark over my black spot that I found in my mouth about a month ago and have a biopsy scheduled for this afternoon.

I also suffer with stress and anxiety so know exactly where you’re coming from. It’s enough to make you ill on its own and any physical symptoms can send your levels into overdrive. However, It can work to your advantage with your surgery maybe.

I would tell your GP that as you suffer from healthy anxiety the quickest way they can help you to feel better is to refer you and anyway an itchy mole accompanied by swelling in your lymph node should surely always be investigated.

My dentist told me I should be seen in 2 weeks and I was told after 2 weeks by the hospital that a clinic hadn’t even been approved by the health board yet. I mentioned my health anxiety and basically made a nuisance of myself until I got a cancellation otherwise I wouldn’t have been seen until April. 

Don’t take no for an answer. Keep calm but be assertive and persistent. 

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Hi Jemima,

Please get the GP appointment made and don't Google - it's not up to date and worries you sick. Also, don't poke about in the node area as prodding too much can actually make the nodes feel worse. 

Write down what you have found, when it started and if it's changed since then. Take a photo of the mole and, if your appointment takes a while to come around, take another photo to see if it's changed again. Also explain your anxiety. Hopefully your GP may be trained to examine  the mole with a dermascope (a type of microscope). These show up any change in the mole cells. If the GP thinks it looks OK and you aren't happy with that, it's worth asking to see another GP at the practice for a second opinion which you are entitled to.

Hopefully it will be fine. Good luck and please let us know how you get on.

Angie (melanoma patient)

Good luck Giriesga9987. Hope you aren't waiting too long and it turns out to be fine.

Angie (melanoma patient)

Good luck today Swampfing.

Angie

Thank you for your message. I saw my GP who referred me straight away. She felt my nodes and said they could be normal. She didn't use a dermascope but she did examine the mole and said she felt it was not likely to be melanoma, but she wasn't 100% sure. She said I should have an appointment in 2-3 weeks.

Hope you're ok Angie.

Thanks for your message. I hope yor biopsy wasn't too uncomfortable. When will you know the results?

Anxiety is so difficult, it's nice to know we aren't alone though. Hope you're ok! 

Hi there.

It went as well,as,it could. He said he can’t say if it’s malignant or not but what he could say was that it was thin and on the surface only and that he got it all. They will have results in 7-10 days but will only tell me in a consultation with the surgeon I originally saw which will be in approximately 3 weeks as he is so busy. Whilst I was sat there in the chair flu like symptoms came over me really suddenly and I’ve hardly got out of bed since which has certainly taken my mind off other things as I don’t even have the strength to do much more than sleep at the moment. Wouldn’t recommend it as a distraction though

Still, the end I hope is in sight.At least I’ll,know one way or the other soon. 

Good luck with medical journeys Glriesga, jemimapuddleduck and Angie T. 

Its good to share and thanks for your feedback so far.

It's good to hear that your GP is following NICE guidelines and referred you because she's not completely sure. Hopefully the dermatologist will give you a clean bill of health and you can breath a sigh of relief. Please let us know how you get on. I'm fine thanks - I've been a patient for a few years now and thankfully I'm Ok.

Angie

Glad the surgery went as well as can be expected - hopefully the results will bring you good news. Hope you feel better soon and you aren't waiting too long for the results. Please let us know how you get on.

Angie