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Nail matrix biopsy - just a little bit TERRIFIED!

nikinokinoo
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Hi

Im not sure why I'm posting as nothing has happened yet but I'm due to have a nail matrix biopsy next Tuesday (26th) and am feeling VERY nervous about the procedure and resulting pain - let alone the possible subsequent diagnosis.

I noticed a thin brown vertical line on my thumb nail about 6 months ago and, on the advice of my nail technician friend, sent pictures to my GP. He then referred me into a dermatologist who asked me to take photos of the nail and to return 12 weeks later. I did this and the appearance of the line remained unchanged but she said she couldn't say with absolute certainty that it was a melanoma (although she was quick to point out that it is rare). She suggested that if I wanted peace of mind or to know either way, that I have nail biopsy - which means removing my thumb nail and some of the nail bed underneath.  I've obviously done what you're not supposed to do and referred to Dr. Google and freaked myself out a bit.  I can't even think about a possible diagnosis as I'm so scared about the biopsy itself! Has anyone been through this and if so, can you give me an HONEST account of what the post-op pain is like; what the nail / nail bed looks like and what, if anything, I can do to prepare (ie what kind of painkillers will I need etc.)?

 

Thank you very much in advance.

 

  • Hello nikinokinoo,

    Please don't be afraid to speak to your doctor about your concerns. They'll be best to help you with your questions about the biopsy. When you are worried that you may have cancer, it can be tempting to look for answers online, but this can end up increasing anxiety rather than making you feel better so try to stay away from google.

    I hope this is helpful,

    Moderator Anastasia

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    Hi,

    There are several posts in the forum from those who have gone through this. You can find them by searching either 'nail' or 'subungual' in the Search Forum bar at the top of this page. You will see that some have come back after the biopsy and shared their experience and result which, in a few cases, was clear. Please also remember that people come on here, like yourself, worrying about the biopsy, however, only a small amount come back to update with their results. These, in the main, are those that got clear results and they get on with their lives (quite rightly). It is helpful for others following in the footsteps though to know that not everyone has a positive biopsy for subungual melanoma. In fact, this type of melanoma is not common - it only makes up for 5% of melanoma diagnoses so hopefully yours will be fine.

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

    Angie (Stage 3 superficial spreading melanoma patient since 2009)

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Thanks so much - I'll check them out 

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    Hi there I came across your post as I'm about to have a nail biopsy in 5 days time. Just like how you described in your post I'm so scared about the pain and the possibility of  bad diagnosis. I have very low tolerance when it's come to pain so it's really freaking me out and feels like I want to back out. Can you please share your biopsy experience, how was it and how painful was it and how long have you been suffering with the pain? please give me some tips and advice too. I'm so terrified I've had sleepless nights because of it. Hope the outcome of your biopsy was good. 

  • Offline in reply to Mariandy

    Hi!

    No problem at all. I felt EXACTLY the same way and just couldn't find the info that would put my mind at rest. Wel hopefully this will help. Sometimes I think the more you know, the better prepared you can be.

    When I got to the hospital I was so nervous. I was taken to a small rim and had my blood pressure etc taken and the the surgeon then talked to me about the procedure in a very matter of fact way and explained that he'd get me back in see him a few afterwards.

    we then walked to a small room that said 'Minor Ops' and in it was a chair/table a bit like a dentists chair. I lay in that and had my arm on a rest to the side of me.

     

    they applied numbing cream although to be honest is already slathered it all over my hand as I didn't want to feel a thing. That would be my one piece of advice to you if you're nervous. You can buy it at any chemist and I try didn't feel the injections (although my heart was facing as I was laying there waiting for the pain!)

    Then it's just odd. You feel tugging as they loosen around the nail but I made sure I kept my head turned away as didn't want to rush seeing anything. I also cried a bit. But die to any pain but just because I think I'd gor myself so worked up so much! But everyone was lovely and chatted away and told me when it was over. They then bandaged everything up abs I had a thumb that looked like Popeye!

    I took some pain killers as a ofecaustikn but over than some throbbing in the first 24 hours I didn't have any pain.  I went to have the dressing changed but could have easily done it myself, there was a lot of Fred blood in a sort of scab but that started to come off and the thumb never looked as odd as is imaged. 
    the good news is that it was all clear and my nail has grown back normally now.

    I hope ot goes ok for you. The best of luck and buy numbing cream!!!!

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