Subungual Melanoma referral

Hi, I'm new here and worrying like mad. I had a fungal nail on my thumb with a light black line down the side, I went the docs twice and they said it's more than likely fungal as the rest of my nail was yellow brown and crumbling off. I was told to use a home remedy of nail applicator which can take up to a year. They don't like to give pills for fungal nail as I would need a liver function test due to the strength of them apparently. 

Anyway, I just carried on with my home treatment for nearly a year now, the black has thickened and is starting to raise my nail bed at the side. At the weekend, blood was spurting everywhere from and it was seeping blood all weekend. my nail went flat but stayed black. it's now raised up again with what looks like a lump of skin (I thought it was a blood blister) but smelling so I went to my gp again to treat infection if I had one.

saw a different gp and he agreed I had an infection and gave me anti bs. He then said he was referring me to a specialist and to expect an appointment within 2 weeks to be tested for menalona! 

straight away I went to Dr Google, I cannot sleep with fear, I'm 40 with a 6 year old son and no other family. I'm petrified that the black line has been there for well over a year and nothing has been done and it could potentially now have put my life at risk. Can somebody advise me or help me relating to this I'm so so scared waiting for an appointment and all I'm doing is imagining the worst.

Thankyou 

  • Awww you can do this satish, I have accepted your friend request 

  • I am in the same boat 

     

    my toe hurts, then my thumb line started few years ago the GP been treating me what they thought was fungal until the tests come back negative for that. 
     

    had the photos done and waiting the biopsy. 
    madding my comment to follow the post 

    Bob Marley had this we can do this no thumb maybe no cry? Too early for jokes? (I've had brain surgery) it was benign colloid cyst. I've laughed every day since. 
     

    maybe we can get through our issues with laughing ? Supporting each other this page has helped me so much already.

  • hi

    looking for advise. My mum 74 had a black line running up her big toe nail. looks like the pictures on the internet si thinking the worse. She got an appointment on tuesday and was told the hospital would ring her by tomorrow at the latest. What is the procedure and treatment please also concerned as she is diabetic and supposed to be shielding. I would be grateful for any advise 

    thanks 

  • I know from my own experience, 

     

    they waited a long time ( too long) for me to see a dermatologist, my GP thinking and testing for fungal. 
    my big toe is no line - it's my thumb of the right hand. 
     

    I am 7 months since I seen them first time (dec) 

    they have taken pictures over that time of all finger all toes. 

    I have to see them again in July. 
    I am to get a biopsy of the nail bed I think ( looks sore) not looking forward to it. 
     

    I come to this group for help of maybe someone has had the same and it was a positive outcome I am only 29 years old. 
    scary stuff - don't google too much and listen to the specialist. 
     

    stacey

  • Thank you Stacy 1 week in and waiting for an appointment she thinks as she is older they wont rush things

  • Hi my mum had this black line on the edge of her pinky finger nail and it got darker. My grandma had melanoma as well but not this type. My mum called the gp today and they are concerned and they are also worried about her moles all over her body. She's got a biopsy in 2 weeks. I'm really worried since my grandma passed away 8 months after she got diagnosed. The black line has been there for just over 4 months. Does anybody know in case she has it, which stage would it roughly be? And is it curable if it's been 4 moths? Thanks 

  • Hi Louise,

     

    I know this an old post so apologies for replying here but I've tried adding you etc and I'm not the most technologically minded so I'm giving this way a go! Is it ok if we talk please? I am having a thumbnail biopsy on the 29th of this mo th and would love to get your opinion on things if you don't mind! Thanks a lot, Rachael x 

  • hi mum has had a biosy on her  nail 4 weeks ago and we still have had any news....is this good or bad?

  • Hi,

    You can't tell whether it's good or bad news from how long it takes I'm afraid. The current waiting time for results can be anything from 2 to 5 weeks. All biopsies go through the same procedure - they are examined by histology, the report goes back to the consultant and then the results are discussed at a Multi Disciplinary Team meeting (MDT). This is where the dermatologist, plastic surgeon, oncologist and specialist nurses decide on the next course of action for each patient as per the biopsy results (discharged if benign or further surgery if positive). The hospital then contact the patient to (usually) come back for their results - it's rare they give results by phone or letter. If the hospital didn't give your mum an idea as to the waiting time for her results, I would ring them on Monday and ask if the results are available and when can you expect to hear from them? Sometimes results are delayed because the MDT is only held once a week.

    Good luck, I hope you aren't waiting too much longer and that they bring good news. Please let us know how you get on,

    Angie (melanoma patient)