Hi Libby,

sorry to know about suspected lesion. It's very natural to feel anxious and worried. Let me assure you probability of melanoma diagnosis is very low. Still lower at your age.

i had exactly similar story where I noted a black line on my toe nail which kept on growing for 6 months and my old nail is lifted. I was referred to a specialist and got it biopsied last week. Regarding biopsy, since it's on nail, it needs to be done by specialist. Injection will be painful but later procedure doesn't feel at all once Anasthesia sets in. My biopsy was done under local Anasthesia which is usually the procedure. I'm awaiting the results.
it will be good to go prepared for the biopsy and it doesn't take more than an hour.

 Let's think positive that it's less likely to be a cancerous. Another thing that reassures me is noting it early. So well done for observing it and going to your doctor. In less likely situation,  where if it is malignant, it is god to detect it early and get treated asap. Hope you speak to someone - family/ friends / GP to help you cope with anxiety and be more positive about early diagnosis.

 It is hard. 

 My best wishes for you. Hope this helps. 
kind regards,

xxxx

Thank you so much for your lovely reply. I instantly feel a little bit better. I have lots of friends and family around me but they really don't know the right words to say to me which is understandable. It's hard for someone to understand when they aren't going through it themselves. Luckily there hasn't been much change in the line since I first noticed it and I'm otherwise extremely healthy with no other symptoms. Fingers crossed all will be okay and I'm sending well wishes your way too. Please keep me updated. We're in this together xxxx

Oh that's reassuring that it isn't a long process! I will post as soon as I'm finish to let you know how it went. 
 

thanks for the support

Hi Libby

How are you? Are you done with the biopsy? How did it go?

I had a follow up visit today, I am asked to repeat the biopsy, referred to other specialist since line persisted even after biopsy!

:(

Hi Healing7, 

so nice to hear from you! I've been meaning to update you! I was supposed to have the biopsy in December, however they looked at my finger and decided against it. I left with them just taking a picture to send off for a second opinion. I got a call around 3 weeks later from the plastic surgeon saying he still wanted to do the biopsy as he isn't confident that it isn't malignant. I had the biopsy last Friday! 
 

I was super anxious, but once I was on the ward I was put into a room with a girl who I actually knew! So that helped a lot, we were in there all day so sat chatting which calmed our nerves. Biopsy went really well, not gonna lie the anaesthetic wore off almost instantly and I was in a lot of pain! I've had my dressing change once which wasn't enjoyable as it got stuck! But feeling much better after it's been changed and the doctor said that they are happy with how it looks. (I haven't dared to look at it yet lol) 
 

they took the whole nail on my left ring finger aswell as a biopsy of the nail bed! they said around 4 weeks for results, but they may want to do another procedure in the future depending on what the results are. 
 

really sorry to hear that you have to go back. It's really not an enjoyable experience is it. I have all my fingers crossed for you and believe your super strong! We're in this together ️
 

please keep me updated and I will update you also! 

Hi Libby,

 I'm so delighted for you that it went well. Sorry to know about the pain after anaesthesia and especially at the time of dressing removal. I can imagine it must be very painful. Anyways, it's over. Do update me with your biopsy report. It must be really comforting to have someone known there at the time of biopsy. I'm really pleased for you!

 My best wishes for your report and I hope it is all normal. Tc.

Oh gosh I could even describe the pain, i would sit through the op ten times over if it meant I never had to feel that pain again! But fingers crossed that the end of it! 
 

gutted for you! I can't believe you weren't referred to a plastic surgeon straight away. Plastic surgeons did mine so hopefully all will be okay! I will be thinking of you. It is really nice to know we aren't alone, you are right! 
 

will let you know as soon as I recieve results 

all my love xxx

Yeah it does pain after Anasthesia wears off. I remember that night I felt my leg is on fire :( needless to say multiple injections were also painful.

 I am sure it will be okay for you. It's a shame that surgeon was putting me away from biopsy that day and now it needs to be repeated...

anways it is what it is. Keep me posted. Tc Libby

Hi 

hopE you don't mind me jumping on. I was reading both your messages and im Interssted to knoW how you both are?? 
 

I have been referred to dermatologist recently from my doctor as I went with a dark mark on my toenail and I've got my app 22nd feb . I am very nervous and worried and also feel stupid incase it's something so silly x

Hi CCmed

you are very welcome to join our chat. I am doing OK thanks. I understandd how you feel. I felt the same and now it seems I am going for repeat biopst for a line and my toenail.

I know it sound silly to pay attention to small line on a nail but it is always better be safe than sorry. I have some medical backround and I understand the the benefits vs rosk of getting it evaluated.

The chances of having sinister is very low, but if at all it is cancer, it is best to get it treated at the earliest.

My best wishes for your biopsy.  Please let us know how it goes. It is very natural to feel nervous about it. Injection is pinful but proedure is not, you might have read it in earlier posts.

Take care !

Hi healing7,

thanks for your response. Do you know when you will get your biopsy ? Also sorry to hear you have to go through this all again. 
 

I do think it is a very worrying time. I google so much and never realised you can have so many problems with toenails. 
 

my doctor freaked me out because I honestly thought she would laugh at me and say it was fungal etc instead she told me she would red flag it to the hospital, I got my phone call a week later and app for 3 weeks. 
 

I hate the thought of anyone touching my feet too lol! I will definitely keep you posted on how it goes

take care!

Hi CCmed,

yeah google can be scary. I have read some scientific papers and guidelines. But as far as I have read - if it is just a line which is unchanged for a long time, the reason to worry is still low. DO you have any other associated symptoms with the nail ?

In my case - it was a new line, developed over a period of 6 months, which got thicker and my nail spliited - with a double nail and a line on my new nail as well. These signs make it bit more worrying.

In my follow up appointment after biopsy, I realised she has not removed the complete nail, which was supposed to. And 2 specialists who evaluated my nail that day said I should go for repeat biopsy, i was fine with it till then. 

I am not very much liking the thoght of going through it again. \Lets see!

I hope things go well with you. It's always better to get it checked earlier.

Keep me posted. Tc

Hi CCmed,

yeah google can be scary. I have read some scientific papers and guidelines. But as far as I have read - if it is just a line which is unchanged for a long time, the reason to worry is still low. DO you have any other associated symptoms with the nail ?

In my case - it was a new line, developed over a period of 6 months, which got thicker and my nail spliited - with a double nail and a line on my new nail as well. These signs make it bit more worrying.

In my follow up appointment after biopsy, I realised she has not removed the complete nail, which was supposed to. And 2 specialists who evaluated my nail that day said I should go for repeat biopsy, i was fine with it till then. 

I am not very much liking the thoght of going through it again. \Lets see!

I hope things go well with you. It's always better to get it checked earlier.

Keep me posted. Tc