Had my online video chat. Dermatologist isn't concerned, told me it's a normal mole  and discharging me but couldn't answer why it was sore , told me to ask gp again. So now I still have a mole that's sore and don't know what to do  

So fed up .

So now I've submitted another econsult to question GP about mole. Still there and still persistantly aches. Starting to get really irritated that I'm not being listened to ...  

Nine months and counting now. 

Hi Lola,

I'm sorry you are still having this problem and haven't been able to see a dermatologist in person. 

It's unusual for a malignant mole to feel sore or ache - it's usually painless or it might itch. That may be why they couldn't determine what's causing the soreness/ache. Whilst waiting for your econsult, consider using a mole App that will take a photo & tell you if the mole needs checking out. This may strengthen your case to get another referral & a face to face examination with a dermatologist. This app is recommended by one of the melanoma charities https://www.skinvision.com/

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

Angie (melanoma patient)

The gp called back and said they are not concerned as a dermatologist has seen photos and cleared it as ok but is happy to arrange for it to be removed as minor op as it's sore. I am so glad! I am going to call back just to make sure they send it to histology for peace of mind. 

Feeling a bit better about it. 

The gp called back and said they are not concerned as a dermatologist has seen photos and cleared it as ok but is happy to arrange for it to be removed as minor op as it's sore. I am so glad! I am going to call back just to make sure they send it to histology for peace of mind. 

Feeling a bit better about it. 

Just my opinion but if concerned I would ask to be seen.  I went to see a dermatologist today as I was concerned about a few liver/sun spots on my face.  All of those were fine.  Whislt there I asked if as a male who lived alone was it worth getting a torso check at the GP as obviously when you live alone no-one sees the back of your neck or back.  The dermatologist looked a bit put out but said she would have a look at my back.  Two moles both looked fine to the naked eye but one looked a bit red with a little bit of black in the middle under her microscope tool.  They cut it out there and then and have sent it off to histology.  Bit worried now obviously but at the same time if In hadn't asked I wouldn't have had it seen and would have just carried on and not worried about anything as it's been there for years but doesn't hurt or itch.  As she said it's likely it's just in an area that gets rubbed by the back of seats etc but it's worth checking out so I would push to put your mind at ease.

Hi Lola,

I'm glad they will remove it for your peace of mind. They should send it to histology as the norm but certainly check with them that they do this. Good luck and let us know how you get on,

Angie

Hi Max,

It's good to hear that you asked & received a check of your back & that they've removed a mole for histology. My dermatologist does presentations at our Melanoma Patient Conference and she always emphasises the importance of 'Patient Empowerment.' Some consultants and GPs may not like it but we know our own bodies and if something worries us, we should push for it investigating. 

Good luck and I hope the results come back clear,

Angie

Thanks Angie.  I was surprised actually she didn't have a closer look at some of the others,.  I have quite a few moles on chest and back but she didn't look at the chest and only two on my back, and as I said the one they cut out looked fine to the naked eye.  She seemed a bit put out as I wasn't there for chest and back so it does go through your mind to wonder if she checked properly, but she was the expert!  The one I went in for on the face was I think she said Seborrhoeic keratoses and just to keep an eye on it as it may grow.  I also asked if she could check (was probably pushing my luck by this point!) a dark mark on the side of my big toenail.  It's not a thin black line. more a chunky tan shading purely restricted to the nail.  Again she just had a quick look and said it was a fungal infection which are common in nails.  I suspect they are so experienced a quick look is all they need to tell in most cases but I felt it was so unneccessary that she seemed so put out by my request.  After all if I hadn't asked I would never have had it removed.  It makes you question what you should do in future almost.