I'm a bit scared (update page 2, all clear)

[WDWHound]

Its probably nothing, but I can help feeling a bit scared.

A about a year ago, I felt a rough patch on my skin while scratching my back. I ask Mandy (my wife) to look at it and she said there was some skin flaking off, but no mole or discoloration. Over the following few months I had her check it every so often. Same result, some flaking skin, but nothing else, so I forgot about it.

This last weekend (approx 6 months since the last time she checked it ) and I asked her to check it again. Not good. Where there was just a patch of scaley skin, there is now a rough brown colored patch about the size of a dime which is still flaking skin. Its regularly shaped with regular edges and all the same color, but it still fits too many of the symtoms of Melanoma for my comfort.

My problem is that getting an appointment with a dermitologist in the Austin area is next to impossible. The earliest appointment I can find is in late JUNE. I don't want to wait that long,. Heck, It may be dangerous to wait that long for all I know. I know the odds are good that this is nothing, but not being able to find out is driving me nuts and my imagination is running away with me. I'm a little scared and a lot frustrated. I spent much of the afternoon trying to find anyone who could see me sooner (with no luck) and my frustration level is unbelievable.

Anyway, thanks for listening. I just had to do something or I was going to go nuts and just the act of typing this has helped a lot.

 

[Cruisin]

Could you go to your family doctor and have it looked at first? Maybe that would help to ease your fears or get you into the specialist quicker.

 

[Disney Doll]

Did you tell them you had a specific area that you were very concerned about???? I am surprised that, with that information, they didn' try and fit oyu in.

 

[peg2001]

I was just about to post the same thing as Robin. She beat me to it.

Peggy

 

[Barb D]

Could you get your GP to look at it in the meantime? Maybe S/he could tell you if it's something to worry about, and pull some strings to get you in to a specialist if it seems urgent.

 

[Rajah]

And I would agree with both -- check and see if your normal doctor can see you if you can't get in any earlier. Or, even come down to Houston or San Antonio and go to a Dermatologist there instead if you can get in.

 

[Stepharoonie!]

 

[WDWHound]

Originally posted by Cruisin'Kroezes
Could you go to your family doctor and have it looked at first? Maybe that would help to ease your fears or get you into the specialist quicker.

That slapping sound you just heard was me whacking myself upside the head. THANK YOU! Why in the world didn't I think of that? I am picking up the phone and calling my doc now.

 

[WDWHound]

Thank you all. I just got an appointment for tomorrow morning with my regular doc. I feel so much better. I still cant beleive it didn't occur to me to do this. For some reason, I only thought of seing a dermatologist. Maybe I'll have the doc check to see if my brain is still working while I'm there.

 

[MosMom]

I hope it is nothing. If it is anything, it sounds like it is pre-cancerous and they will just remove it. Good luck!

 

[caitycaity]

hey hound. first try not to worry. i've had several moles removed and a lot of times it's nothing, just a wierd mole. second of all, even if it is something, a lot of times removing it is effective. i have had cancerous moles removed. feel free to pm me if you'd like.

i don't know what it is with doctors. i belong to an hmo and even with my past history when i want to get a dermatologist appointment to have something checked out before my annual check up i always have to wait at least a month to get in. the last time i started crying and the scheduler still wouldn't get me an appointment. going to another doctor isn't financially an option for me. maybe they know something i don't.

in the mean time, seriously, try not to worry about it. i have a lot of really freaky looking moles/skin patches that i have been given the all clear on. it's good you're going to get it checked out.

ETA: even if your regular doctor doesn't think it's anything, still go in for a dermatologist appointment. the last time i went in, i brought a spot to the attention of my PCP and he didn't want to refer me b/c he thought it was harmless. i made him give me the referral. when i went in to the derm, he immediately thought it looked funny and wanted to remove it.

 

[phamton]

It sounds exactly like a "liver spot" or "old age spot." I have some on my hands that started just that way. Flakey skin, then months later, it darkened and is still dry and flakey but now the skin is a little tougher like a callous. My husband has some on his shoulders.

I'd still get it checked out though to be safe. Some people are more prone to them that others. It is from genetics and from sundamage. The medical name is: Solar lentigo

Some of mine are precancerous lesions called: Actinic keratosis though. See: http://www.healthcentral.com/mhc/top/000827.cfm

 

[Tulirose]

Glad you got the appointment for tomorrow.

I just called dermatologist myself today to have some moles removed from DS's back. (His regular physician says they are not cancerous but should be removed due to size and location). Since it will be a first time consultation, he could 1) have consult with NP on Tuesday next week or 2) have consult with doctor at the end of May. I chose #1.

I find NP's to sometimes be more thorough than doctors. Surgery, of course, when scheduled will be done by the doc.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Glad you got in for tomorow, Don, my best. I just saw a dermatologist this week, for a periodic skin check, just good health practice. He asked me about a little something by my ear, how long I had it. I said a few months, probably nothing. He said, hmmm, let's cut it off and have it biopsied. About 3 minutes later I was all done and on my way. Should have results soon. Always best to play safe.

Anyway, glad you are in, update please.

PS: Say hello to Mandy for me.

 

[esmerelda51]

I have something like that on my hands and arms. My doctor and dermatologists both say age-spots. Hope that is what you have (even though it doesn't sound nice to call them age spots.) I always have them checked at every physical though because my dad was prone to skin cancers.

 

[Pooh67_68]

 

[Pooh93]

Glad you are going in tomorrow. Please update. Lotsa good thoughts and PD sent your way.

 

[CamColt]

Best of luck tomorrow. Be sure to keep us updated. Prayers & Pixie Dust on the way!!!

 

[tiggersmom2]

prayers and pixie dust!

 

[WDWHound]

Well, I feel silly. The report from the doc is that it's just a mole, nothing to be concerned about. I'll keep my appointment with the dermatologist in couple of months and have it checked again just to be sure, but it looks like this whole thing was just a massive over reaction on my part.

Thanks for all the support folks. I really appreciate you putting up with my little panic attack on this thread.