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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.

 

Parents
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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)

Reply
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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)

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