Petechia for a year maybe?

Hey guys, I seem to be posting on here all the time but I swear it's a new thing every single week.

So, I've been noticing these tiny red spots (petechia) on my arm for about a year. When I first saw them I called the ambulance because 111 thought I had meningitis but they weren't concerned with them at all. But they've never faded and I seem to get new ones every now and then and because of everything that's happened these past few years health wise, I'm worrying about it.

 

I'm 20 and every where I look it says older people develop petechia more so that makes me panic more. And people that have had petechia say that they fade away but mine haven't and some have started developing on my legs. I have been trying to get an appointment at doctors for other reasons but I just can't get one. I was wondering if anyone has experience with this at a younger age or someone anyone knows, because all I do now is panic.

I wasn't really concerned about them until someone mentioned that they could be something serious, and I check my body everyday for more. That's why it's been about a year maybe longer.

If anyone replies, thanks for your reply. It's hard when no one your age experiences these so you feel alone a lot of the time and family think I'm being too anxious because nothing bad has happened to me yet, so they can't be anything serious. So I really just need some advice or support.

Thank you

Abbie

  • Hello Abbie, 

    It must have been a frightening experience for you when you were told it might be meningitis and the ambulance came. I am pleased that it turned out to be nothing serious and I think you can be reassured by the fact that they told you it was nothing concerning. I can understand though why you are feeling worried and it's good that you are keeping an eye on these petechiae. As you've noticed changes and you are worried that they haven't faded away, it might be a good idea to try and talk to your GP about it so it's worth persevering in trying to get in touch with your doctor. If you would like to get a second opinion and talk to a different doctor about it, you can find out more about this on this page and I hope that speaking to a medical expert about this issue will give you the reassurance you need at the moment. 

    Others on this forum may have had petechiae in the past too and I hope that they will come and share their experience with you. 

    Best of luck for getting a GP appointment! I really hope you manage to talk to someone soon and that these will fade away.

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator