I hate these GP practices that use a photographer to send photos to a dermatologist - there is nothing better than a dermatologist seeing your thumb with the naked eye - even then they can get it wrong but they usually biopsy it to ensure they have made the correct decision. I agree with Louise - go back and see your GP and ask for a proper referral. If they refuse or prevaricate I suggest you ring one of the private health care providers and ask if you can pay for a private consultation with a dermatologist and if they think it's SM can you then be transferred to a NHS dermatologist so that you are only having to pay the consultation fee. In most cases the private dermatologist will also be a NHS dermatologist anyway. Good luck.

Angie (melanoma patient)

Does anyone know how I can find a dermatologist that has experience with SM?

If I have to go privat, I cannot afford to waste my money getting misdiagnosed due to inexperience.

Where do you live?

I don't have any knowledge of melanoma care in Wales I'm afraid, however can I point you in the direction of MelanomaUK https://www.melanomauk.org.uk/ who are a charity that, amongst other things, work with dermatology consultants in the UK. Explain your experience of how you were 'diagnosed' & that you think you will only get a correct and speedy diagnosis if seen privately. If they don't have an immediate answer to your question they will certainly make some enquiries for you. 

Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

Angie

Thank you Angie.

i will contact them.

All the best

Petra

Hi.  I’m glad I found this forum.  I went to the chemist today, thinking I had a fungal nail infection and mentioned my black nail on my big toe.  She told me to book an urgent appointment with my GP.  Like all of you, i’m completely shocked and stunned as I am also being referred to skin specialist.  My GP hinted this was to rule out melanoma.  At first she was just going to send off the clipping but then she decided she wanted to check it out to be on safe side.  I have done some reading too on this and I am feeling scared.  More scared than I thought I would ever feel.  I can’t remember how long my toe nail has looked like this but I think it has darkened recently.  My toe nail has started to split on one side, and top part dislodged from skin.  Did anyone else have any other symptoms like tiredness etc.  I’ve googled symptoms but can't find any other info other than what the nail look like.  Mandy 

Remember, the doc is referring you as good practice, it may be nothing, but no,I felt absolutely fine before,during and after diagnosis.

Still waiting for a referral. Apparently my GP didn‘t think it need to be done as an urgent referral, so Ian on a 10 week waiting list.

This weekend I found a black spot on at the base of one of my toe nails. I know that I have not dropped anything heavy on it, which could be the only other explanation for it. Doesn‘t even look like a bruise as it is more brown than black.

Not feeling hopeful!

Finally got an appointment for Wednesday. Fingers crossed they can finally give me a diagnosis. Good or bad.