More of a ramble than a rant

Pthree

I have a "growth" like thing just above my knee, hard and the size of a pea, it started off like an annoying spot and I assumed an in -growing hair, stuck some tea tree oil on it for a few days and it seems to go down a lot, but never really went away. As I had a lot of family stuff going on at the time so I just sort of forgot about it, that was 5 – 6 months ago.

Now it is a hard bump, itchy now and again, doesn't hurt.
Over the past week or so every publication I pick up seems to have something about skin cancer in, so I googled images why did I do that?

I have a Dr's appointment for tomorrow but I am totally bricking it, half in case he thinks I'm stupid for googling and half in case it is something serious.


I can’t really tell anyone in real life at the moment (I mean what if it’s nothing, I’ll look like a fool then!), but I am really freaking out.

No need for any responses, I just needed to say it out loud I guess and tell “someone”.

tea_lover

Hope it goes ok tomorrow. Don't worry about looking silly - the GP is there to answer these things. After all, if you knew what it was he'd be out of a job!

System

ive got several 'lumps' on my body. Only small they are but as I got older I acquire more. I did show them my doctor and he said they were fine. He told me it was due to my age.... I affectionately call them 'knots' cause they are like knots in trees. The older I get the more I get.:rotfl:

pukkamum

My son has one very similar sounding, his is just a cyst and is going to be removed next month, his too gets itchy and red, this is a sign it's infected.
Step away from google, I'm sure you'll be fine x

Gigervamp

Try not to worry too much, it's probably just a cyst. I had one on my arm for months but it eventually went down. My mum had one on her back that grew to the size of a golf ball, that one was surgically removed.

aliasojo

Pthree wrote: »

I have a "growth" like thing just above my knee, hard and the size of a pea, it started off like an annoying spotreal life at the moment (I mean what if it’s nothing, I’ll look like a fool then!), but I am really freaking out.

Son had what sounds like an identical thing on his leg between knee and hip. Doc looked at it and said it was nothing worth doing anything about. He's had it for at least 10 years now, it never got worse and never got better.

Peace of mind is worth it's weight in gold, best the Doc sees it so he can put your mind at rest.

maman

I think you've done the best thing by making your Dr's appointment. If the GP is at all concerned you'll be referred to dermatology and they'll remove it PDQ (around here within 2/3 weeks). If he's not really concerned you'll join a waiting list and it'll be removed eventually. If he thinks it's OK to leave alone, you'd have to pay for it to be removed. That's roughly how it works in my experience. Thought it might help for you to know what to expect.

Let us know how you get on.:)

Kynthia

It's good you are getting it checked out, but try to realise that there's loads of things it might be other than cancer. It's common near joints to have some of the fluid leak out and go hard. Lots of people get these by their wrist. Then there's cysts or a bite that you're body's immune system has overreacted to and surrounded with tissue.

indsty

First - everyone now googles - it is a good opener to the GP actually - "Hi, I've got this lump on my knee, so of course I googled it - and now I'm imagining all sorts of terrible things!" Lets the doc know you are worried without actually saying so.

Second - I expect you will feel a lot better once the appointment is over as then you can either a) stop worrying altogether, or b) know what it is and what you can do about it.

Lieja

My OH has a hard pea-sized lump on his inner thigh. Been there for years, and doc says its fine. Best to check, but try not to diagnose yourself with something terrible before you see your doc. Most likely it's nothing!

Shelldean

Can fully sympathise, DS is 17 and has a huge mole on his back. I noticed at beginning of June and thought ooo better keep an eye on that one. Son mentioned it to his father while we was all on holiday, Dad looked and said oh maybe that should be looked at. First time I try not to be a cotton wool mum and I'm overruled by dad LOL

Anyway finally got son to Gp and he went in by himself, so I only know his version. And his version was Gp said it was probably nothing but best get it checked out. Mum's panic level rises a bit.

Next day hosp call and a very abrupt woman asks for Son, explain he is at work and can I help. Yes she snaps his appointment is 3 Sept. OO that's fast I respond. Yes the GP INSISTED she replies. Mum's panic levels go off the scale.

Further investigation proves the GP didn't actually insist but it's guidelines that the initial appointment is within 14 day. Why she couldn't have just told me that I don't know??

Anyway he had his appointment today and all is well.
I spent the last two weeks in complete unrealistic panic all over nothing.

Hope your story has an equally happy ending xx