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Suspected Melanoma
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Suspected Melanoma

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  • Post
    • January 1, 2018 at 2:08 pm
    Jagsean
    Participant

      Hello there

      I hope someone can help

      about a year ago i had what looked like a fungal nail infection, so i used curanail for a few months, the nail was yellow and fell off.

      it grew back and looks very like it has a brown patch under it with a black line in.

      I got very upset a week ago and called NHS 111 who said make an appointment wiht my GP.

      I went to the GP and she googled it and said it does not look like it but give us a nail clipping and we will test for fugal infection.

      I told her a really need to know and she wrote down check for it too which is not how they check i dont think.

      she also sent me for some blood tests as they need to know liver and kidney function before putting me on medication to treat a fungal infection.

      few days went by and the nerves are getting worse.

      So went back to the GP and saw someone else who really didnt want to refer me to the dermatologist nd said can you not wait for the tests, I explained how scared I am and if its bad its been there a year and time is important,

      He said I will write to them but they might not want to see you,

      This is appaulng what can I do? In the UK can i have a private test? do normal mole clinics test for it?

      Private doctor and appointment?

      Any thoughs

      Thanks all, my doctor has really let me down and I cannot get them to help

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    • Replies
        • January 2, 2018 at 3:02 am
        mel man sd
        Participant

          Waiting for a determination will only work against you. See a good dermatologist as soon as you can. My worst lesion was a small bump on my chest with no pigmentation and was only discovered when my derm. ran her hand over it.  Don't wait .

            • January 2, 2018 at 4:45 pm
            Treadlightly
            Participant

              I am not very familiar with the health system in England, but in the US it can take weeks to get an appointment with a dermatologist. I would recommend that you make an appointment with a dermatologist for their next available date and then work tirelessly to get the referral, while waiting for the appointment date.  Also, you might explore your options for obtaining a second opinion and sidestep that stodgy doctor of yours. 

            • January 4, 2018 at 12:51 am
            JRM
            Participant

              I have been clear of melanoma for five years now after having a melanoma stage 1 lesions excised from my upper arm. I've had many scares over the years and have always gone to the derm ASAP to have the mole/spot removed. In fact, I had a linear lesion removed from my finger and one from my scalp last year. In my opinion, you have to be your own health advocate when dealing with melanoma despite what your primary doctor may be telling you. Granted I am writing from the USA where I can go to a specialist with my insurance without a referral, but I've lived in Germany and Canada, which have similar health systems to the UK. If it's a similar procedure,I understand that you can find a new GP who is willing to refer you or opt to have it biopsied privately. A British friend of mine had this done because she did not want to wait for a referral and she paid approximately 800 pounds, but in the end, this saved her life, as it turned out to be cancerous. I wish you all the best for your health! 

                • January 17, 2018 at 12:16 am
                Jagsean
                Participant

                  Hello thanks so much for the advice.

                  i pushed and pushed and had my dermatologist appointment today. He was great and said it looks like fungal but let’s be on the safe side.

                  the dermatologist also took away my nail and nail bed today along with a nearby mole biopsy.

                   

                  now it’s waiting four weeks for results, on one hand I am feeling better to have moved forward but on the other hand it’s going to be a long wait.

                  thank you all so much

                   

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