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Forums General Melanoma Community Input appreciated

  • Post
    abcmom24
    Participant

      Hi all,

      I am sad that anyone is here or that this discussion board even has a need for existence. But I'm glad that there is someone to talk to. And I thank you for any response.

      At the end of February I had shave biopsy to lower, inner calf. I was called first week in March was told I had Melanoma in Situ and my dr wanted me to have MOHs . The dr she referred me to was going to work me in the next week and do a small wle instead of MOHs, however the dr's  mother became ill and that appointment was cancelled. During the next week I began to notice a vague pain in my calf also that the biopsy site was very red and irritated , but I thought the pain was psychological bc of other stressors (we were out of our home for 9 days due to flooding and my son had a medical issue that required multiple dr visits). I got an appointment with the second MOHs surgeon exactly one month after the shave biopsy. Meanwhile I had a follow up appointment (2 weeks post shave) with my dermatologist and told her about my pain (pain had been 1 week at that time) and she also agreed the site was red so she put me on antibiotics. She addressed the pain as perhaps being a blood clot(I have some varicose veins) and sent me for an ultrasound, which was negative for clots. At the end March I had MOHs done and now have 2 inch scar, still through all of this I've had this ache that had increased to pain anywhere up and down my leg from hip to toes(front, back, or side of leg), pain that ranges from an ache, to feeling of pressure being put on the outside of my outer calf, to a small cramp or sharp pain.

      At the beginning of May I was referred to a dermatologist at MD Anderson(at this point I hadn't seen another dr for leg pain other than my dermatologist). The referral was for mole mapping and my first question was about the pain possibly being related to the melanoma in situ, she was very thorough and checked me head to toe and told me it was very unlikely related to the melanoma in situ. I had mole mapping done there and go back in 6 months.

      Since seeing derm at MDA I've been to two more Drs(I guess I'm dr shopping, I don't have a pcp as I never get sick)and also quick care and was told again by all very unlikely pain is related to melanoma in situ, at first no tests were done until the last couple of weeks. I've had blood work, MRI of lower back, X-rays of leg from hip down…all normal. I will say that at quick care 2-3 weeks ago I was given a steroid and toradol injections and the pain is some better(some pain still in buttock(very little) and some in inner and back thigh but majority in the calf/lower leg)but it is there. One dr put me on mobic(but it makes me a bundle of nerves so I can't take it).

      I know logic says it's not related to melanoma in situ but I need some reassurance and suggestions. In the middle of all this my dermatologist removed 3 more moles, they all came back as dysplatic nevi. I have gotten a copy of all my tests including pathology from MIS. Sorry for the length! Any insight is greatly appreciated, as I'm begin go to feel somewhat crazy about all of it. Im unsure of what to do, what should be done, what kind of dr to see…I just figure if something hurts for 3 months it's legit. Prayers for you all.

    Viewing 2 reply threads
    • Replies
        Fen
        Participant

          It really doesn't sound as if it could be melanoma related.  In situ means it hasn't spread horizontally so it is very unlikely.  I've racked my brain and can't think of anything it could be except a muscle ache.  Is it possible that you are tensing that muscle or walking more gingerly/awkwardly so that you're putting stress on different skeletal muscles?    Give it some time.  You've covered your bases with tests so give it a couple months and see what happens.  I know, easy for me to say.

            Daza08
            Participant

              Hi,

              I posted few weeks ago about my problem which sounds similar with yours . I had a shave on March and not longer after I stared to have bad pains in my bones especialy in legs , buttocks, back and ribs I had my chest x-ray and bood test which came back negative I did ask for a CT or MRI  but not a chance ( i am in Uk) they gave me dicoflex which is doing the job especialy in the night when the pains are more intense . Forgot to tell you my mole was removed form the area  above breast was a thin one 0.6mm stage 1B.Yesterday I had my appoitment with the Plastic Surgeon  for WLE and SLNB and he was surprised when he heard about my pains he is 99.9% is not related to melanoma however we will find out after the SLNB will be performed.

              Whising you all the best 

              abcmom24
              Participant

                Thank you. Not feeling so alone on these crazy symptoms. I will have a follow up appointment this week. I really don't know what dr will suggest, but I think it will probably be to wait. I had requested an MRI too but insurance wanted X-rays first, on X-ray of tibia it showed a bone island. Of course,I've over analyzed that. It's frustrating to try to take the wait approach when you have pain there to remind you there may be something going on.

                Prayers for good news and speedy recovery. Please keep me updated. 

                abcmom24
                Participant

                  Thank you. Not feeling so alone on these crazy symptoms. I will have a follow up appointment this week. I really don't know what dr will suggest, but I think it will probably be to wait. I had requested an MRI too but insurance wanted X-rays first, on X-ray of tibia it showed a bone island. Of course,I've over analyzed that. It's frustrating to try to take the wait approach when you have pain there to remind you there may be something going on.

                  Prayers for good news and speedy recovery. Please keep me updated. 

                  abcmom24
                  Participant

                    Thank you. Not feeling so alone on these crazy symptoms. I will have a follow up appointment this week. I really don't know what dr will suggest, but I think it will probably be to wait. I had requested an MRI too but insurance wanted X-rays first, on X-ray of tibia it showed a bone island. Of course,I've over analyzed that. It's frustrating to try to take the wait approach when you have pain there to remind you there may be something going on.

                    Prayers for good news and speedy recovery. Please keep me updated. 

                    Daza08
                    Participant

                      Hi,

                      I posted few weeks ago about my problem which sounds similar with yours . I had a shave on March and not longer after I stared to have bad pains in my bones especialy in legs , buttocks, back and ribs I had my chest x-ray and bood test which came back negative I did ask for a CT or MRI  but not a chance ( i am in Uk) they gave me dicoflex which is doing the job especialy in the night when the pains are more intense . Forgot to tell you my mole was removed form the area  above breast was a thin one 0.6mm stage 1B.Yesterday I had my appoitment with the Plastic Surgeon  for WLE and SLNB and he was surprised when he heard about my pains he is 99.9% is not related to melanoma however we will find out after the SLNB will be performed.

                      Whising you all the best 

                      Daza08
                      Participant

                        Hi,

                        I posted few weeks ago about my problem which sounds similar with yours . I had a shave on March and not longer after I stared to have bad pains in my bones especialy in legs , buttocks, back and ribs I had my chest x-ray and bood test which came back negative I did ask for a CT or MRI  but not a chance ( i am in Uk) they gave me dicoflex which is doing the job especialy in the night when the pains are more intense . Forgot to tell you my mole was removed form the area  above breast was a thin one 0.6mm stage 1B.Yesterday I had my appoitment with the Plastic Surgeon  for WLE and SLNB and he was surprised when he heard about my pains he is 99.9% is not related to melanoma however we will find out after the SLNB will be performed.

                        Whising you all the best 

                        abcmom24
                        Participant

                          Thanks for your response. Logic tells me that it's unlikely to be melanoma, but just would like that definitive answer. I know you're correct in telling me to wait but I'm so high strung and can't stop thinking about the what if I'm that rare case and I've done nothing. 

                          Thanks so much for your input. I have a follow up visit this week, so will see what dr says and will go from there.

                          abcmom24
                          Participant

                            Thanks for your response. Logic tells me that it's unlikely to be melanoma, but just would like that definitive answer. I know you're correct in telling me to wait but I'm so high strung and can't stop thinking about the what if I'm that rare case and I've done nothing. 

                            Thanks so much for your input. I have a follow up visit this week, so will see what dr says and will go from there.

                            abcmom24
                            Participant

                              Thanks for your response. Logic tells me that it's unlikely to be melanoma, but just would like that definitive answer. I know you're correct in telling me to wait but I'm so high strung and can't stop thinking about the what if I'm that rare case and I've done nothing. 

                              Thanks so much for your input. I have a follow up visit this week, so will see what dr says and will go from there.

                            Fen
                            Participant

                              It really doesn't sound as if it could be melanoma related.  In situ means it hasn't spread horizontally so it is very unlikely.  I've racked my brain and can't think of anything it could be except a muscle ache.  Is it possible that you are tensing that muscle or walking more gingerly/awkwardly so that you're putting stress on different skeletal muscles?    Give it some time.  You've covered your bases with tests so give it a couple months and see what happens.  I know, easy for me to say.

                              Fen
                              Participant

                                It really doesn't sound as if it could be melanoma related.  In situ means it hasn't spread horizontally so it is very unlikely.  I've racked my brain and can't think of anything it could be except a muscle ache.  Is it possible that you are tensing that muscle or walking more gingerly/awkwardly so that you're putting stress on different skeletal muscles?    Give it some time.  You've covered your bases with tests so give it a couple months and see what happens.  I know, easy for me to say.

                            Viewing 2 reply threads
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