not asking for diagnosis or medical advice, but

meritaten

should I see GP?
I hate wasting GPs time - in my experience with common sense most problems can be dealt with.
except - I do examine my breasts monthly because I have had problems with cysts in the past. but this is different. in the last couple of months I have noticed the skin around the nipple in my right breast has become very dry. today I found a couple of areas which had what looked liked 'whiteheads' but scraping at them with fingernail I pulled what were more like threads. but were sort of 'waxy'?
should I go to GP or is this normal for a woman in late fifties? I don't want a diagnosis or medical advice - I just need to know if I should see GP or this is normal for women in my age group.

tbh - I had to have a couple of glasses of wine to pluck up the courage to post this - I am worried but sometimes worry over nothing. and the doctor then makes me feel like an idiot.

markdebby

Any changes should be seen by GP.

meritaten

yes but its usually cysts and the doctor dismisses me. and its cysts again and I feel I am wasting his time.

KateBob

Go and see your GP.
You're right you shouldn't go and see them over every sniffle but this is a change to your breasts, better safe than sorry.

marisco_2

You can never be too careful with your health. Any changes should be checked out. Go along to your gp and make sure they take care of you, check you over and hopefully eliminate any worries that you have. You are one of the strongest people on here and very worthy of respect meritaten. Don't stand for any gp who makes you feel like an idiot, or that you have wasted their time. It is their job to advise you. Thinking of you.

itsanne

If you have to ask the question, you have to go. Better to go and feel silly than not go and discover too late you should have. GP would rather you went.

(You are asking medical advice, though .)

coolcait

Anything which makes you ask friends, family or the internet "Should I see the doctor?" has only one sensible answer

"yes"

Because it is the only way that your mind will truly be put at rest, and because it is the best thing to do.

I don't know whether this advertising campaign was only run in Scotland, or if it was UK-wide, but it reinforces the idea that it is important to see a doctor if there are any changes in your breasts:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxQdfB-no50

Please go and see your doctor.

Torry_Quine

meritaten wrote: »

should I see GP?
I hate wasting GPs time - in my experience with common sense most problems can be dealt with.
except - I do examine my breasts monthly because I have had problems with cysts in the past. but this is different. in the last couple of months I have noticed the skin around the nipple in my right breast has become very dry. today I found a couple of areas which had what looked liked 'whiteheads' but scraping at them with fingernail I pulled what were more like threads. but were sort of 'waxy'?
should I go to GP or is this normal for a woman in late fifties? I don't want a diagnosis or medical advice - I just need to know if I should see GP or this is normal for women in my age group.

tbh - I had to have a couple of glasses of wine to pluck up the courage to post this - I am worried but sometimes worry over nothing. and the doctor then makes me feel like an idiot.

Just wondered when your next routine mammogram was due? I agree with others you need to see your GP, is there a different one in the practice who is more sympthetic maybe a woman?

arbroath_lass

I agree, if you are asking you should go. Even if you were wasting his/her time, well, it's only 7 minutes isn't it?


Your GP should not make you feel like that, though. Is there another in the surgery you could see? If not I'd be tempted to move surgeries. No-one should be worried about making an appointment.

meritaten

thanks - I will make an appointment. I know this isn't 'normal' for me, I was just hoping people would say it was for others.

meritaten

Torry_Quine wrote: »

Just wondered when your next routine mammogram was due? I agree with others you need to see your GP, is there a different one in the practice who is more sympthetic maybe a woman?

my gp practice is sort of uncertain. I may get the GP - or a locum. most probably the locum as GP wants to retire and spends less and less time there.
I have had the mammograms and they have been fine. last one was about four years ago though.