[Hazybear]

That's one problem about us all being so aware of what we should be looking for and checking ourselves for lumps etc...as soon as we get the tiniest thing, that a few years back no one would have really worried about, we rush off to the doctors Not saying we shouldn't get things checked out, but we're so much more aware of the worst case scenarios now

[Clydey]

Was it one of those small white cysts that are very common?

Not sure. It's barely noticeable, to be honest. I happened to be at the doctors, so I thought I'd get it checked. I wouldn't have seen the doctor about it otherwise.

[Clydey]

But did it look like a white spot?

No, it's the same colour as the skin. I only noticed it because I felt it. I didn't actually see it initially.

[Hazybear]

So why is it a problem?

Sorry brain isn't finishing thoughts right now basically that we think worse case scenario I'm a bit of a believer in ignorance is bliss when it comes to health issues...I'm sure it would be different if something was actually seriously wrong

[Hazybear]

In most cases, so am I. I often give myself the benefit of the doubt. I wouldn't have seen the doctor about that if I hadn't been there to get my sick line.

yeah I did that the other day...well sort of, managed to get an on the day appointment with a doctor just before I had to be there for physio He was wonderful and gave me more sleeping tablets

[Aileen]

Defo   Now I only go the doc if its consistantly sore and bothers me.  Stuff like being in pain shouldn't be happening in a healthy body.

Problem is that often potentially serious things aren't sore or irritating initially, like small lumps, moles, etc.  I don't fret about my health but, after reading an article on skin cancer, I realised that I'd had a curious brown spot on my hand for ages.  It had grown in size and had changed shape and colour, so I decided to see about it.

Doc took a quick look and assured me it was nothing to worry about.  When I apologised for wasting her time (don't know why!) she said she'd rather see 100 patients like myself and be able to reassure them than see 1 patient to whom she had to tell "the worst".

[Aileen]

I hate when people, including myself try to self-diagnose. That can lead to so much paranoia.

Apparently the medical profession, in Britain at least, are becoming very concerned about the growing number of people who consult the internet in an attempt to diagnose their complaints because, as a result, many of them are actually led to believe that they have a serious illness and start panicking unnecessarily.  We don't have to pay to visit GPs (although maybe not for much longer), so I can't understand why they aren't their first port of call.