Sun spots

[LJay]

I completely get you! I always look at other peoples’ skin and notice their freckles/moles etc and think they’ve got more to worry about than me yet there they are getting on with life and enjoying it! I wish I could too! But obviously they’re not worriers like us. None of my family /friends are like me- they all say they’ll only worry about something if they’re told its something to worry about!


Even I think if two doctors have told you it’s ok, you’re ok! I cancelled my doctor appointment tomorrow after speaking with my cousin. I feel a bit scared doing that but I have to learn to accept what I’m told. I’m also convinced that in a matter of weeks some other symptom will pop up somewhere and this current worry won’t mean a thing!
It might actually help you to go to the dermatologist so they can discuss all your worries with you and try and put your mind at ease but I guess with that you’ll have to remember what they’ve said next time you spot something so you don’t go running back!

Yep I do that all the time now, my manager knows about my HA lately and even showed me some on her arm that are much bigger than mine. My husband too is so laid back about everything and I'm just like....hnnnggg...I wish I could be as chilled out as you about this...

You're right I just need to listen to them that all is well :( I'm glad you're feeling better. It's funny you say that about other symptoms because last week when I was told the freckle on my face was fine, I instantly started to focus on another patch of skin and worrying about that!

I hope the dermatologist doesn't find anything :( I'm so scared they will. Because the alternative would be blissful - the feeling that I can let go and stop worrying. I just hope that's how it pans out and not "oh we need to remove that for biopsy" or something because that would petrify me and I don't think I'd cope.

[Dying_Swan]

LJay, please try not to google these things. It absolutely makes it worse. I have a skin condition which can occasionally lead to cancer, and when I first found it I tortured myself with Google. The GP wasn't too bothered, but I'd booked in to see a private specialist by the end of the day. Fast forward to now, and yes I have been diagnosed with the condition, but a mild form of it which currently none of the doctors are concerned about. Thanks to Google, I had been convinced I had the severe form and my life was over. That's because I'm not a doctor and I'm not able to tell the difference between the stuff online and what I actually have. It is hard to step away from looking it up but I swear you will start to feel better if you do. Go to your appointment, step away from Google/Instagram/Whatever, and try to get some CBT set up. Best of luck.

[LJay]

LJay, please try not to google these things. It absolutely makes it worse. I have a skin condition which can occasionally lead to cancer, and when I first found it I tortured myself with Google. The GP wasn't too bothered, but I'd booked in to see a private specialist by the end of the day. Fast forward to now, and yes I have been diagnosed with the condition, but a mild form of it which currently none of the doctors are concerned about. Thanks to Google, I had been convinced I had the severe form and my life was over. That's because I'm not a doctor and I'm not able to tell the difference between the stuff online and what I actually have. It is hard to step away from looking it up but I swear you will start to feel better if you do. Go to your appointment, step away from Google/Instagram/Whatever, and try to get some CBT set up. Best of luck.

I’m so sorry to hear of your diagnosis 😔 but I’m happy it’s not the form you dreaded. How are you doing now?

I’m definitely in a better place mentally when I don’t google or go on Instagram, because you can find all sorts to make your mind go wild with worry. I’ve seen stories that have made me physically ill because I imagine myself in that position.

Thank you everyone for being so lovely. You’ve helped me get through today x

[Dying_Swan]

Thank you. I'm doing ok and the skin condition seems to be under control at the moment.

I'm so glad you've found it helpful to post here. I saw you say you're moving and wonder if that is probably contributing to all this. I find sometimes I cope with the big stuff and it'll take one little thing to tip me over. Computer games are great for distraction sometimes! Fingers crossed you'll get the all clear tomorrow, get your house move sorted, and have some CBT, and can then put all this behind you.

[LJay]

I'm so glad you're okay and everything is under control.

It is helpful to post here because I feel less alone when I see others in a similar mindset, even though I'd never wish this torture on anybody :(

You're right about the move etc, it may be contributing to me feeling like this. Even subconsciously, but before I became fixated on these freckles I was excited about the move. I just want to be excited again and not scared out of my mind. :(

I'm in work atm - almost turned up late because I had a panic attack before I left the flat. Trying to get on with things but whenever I think about seeing the dermatologist today I feel my heart drop and panic overtake me. My mind flashes back to those scary photos I saw on Instagram, and I obsessively keep slapping high SPF on my skin like it'll make the freckles go away.

I'm so scared. I hate this.

[BlueIris]

Good luck! I don't think for a second that you'll need it, though.

[LJay]

Good luck! I don't think for a second that you'll need it, though.

Thank you so much. I'll let you all know how it goes. Luckily my colleague is coming for lunch with me today so I'll have some distraction before I have to leave for my appointment.

<3

[LJay]

FFS I'm so scared the dermatologist is going to want to biopsy the freckle next to my eye. I wouldn't feel so scared if it wasn't on my face.

It's just a flat, light brown freckle about 3mm. I have others similar to it on that side of my face but I hate where this one is.

Trying to calm myself down. I feel sick.

[Kiko22]

How did it go?

[LJay]

Hi everyone,

Just saw the dermatologist. He checked me over from head to toe and said my skin is healthy. I asked him about a blue mark on my skin & he called it a blue nevus? They look darker than most moles but are benign. The freckle next to my eye he was least concerned about & said yep it’s just a freckle!

I also asked him about a mark on my back and he called it a dermatofibroma or something? It’s not even a mole it’s like a scab from an insect bite.

He then chatted to me about what to look out for and how to protect my skin from the sun.

I feel so, so much better now and for the first time in weeks ate a full meal and ventured into a coffee shop to just sit and enjoy not worrying so much.

I’ve realised from this that therapy is definitely the way forward now, I need to arm myself with ways of coping with these things. My tendency to overthink and fear the worst has to be addressed - I never want to be in this place again. Leaving the dermatologist today didn’t magically make me feel 100% but I realise that’s the anxiety in me and not because I disbelieve the opinion of 3 medical professionals.

Thank you all so much for your help, this site has been a blessing and I’ll stay if it means I can help others. Be kind to yourselves 💖