General Medical Question - Non Urgent - don't know what is best?

marilynnrose · 22-08-2011, 06:32 AM

hi guys, quick question,
my gp is generally pretty good when it comes to recognizing irregular marks on the skin etc, and although he did get me an urgent referral to a dermatologist back in December for a mole he thought needed to be removed, he missed finding the one that was in fact melanoma. it worked out as i saw the derm and he checked me over completely, however the dermatologist can be very crude with me. he has made several extremely unprofessional comments about my scars and procedures he's done. since they did find melanoma on me and it runs in my family, i'm due for regular check ups with my dermatologist. I'm already two months late on my check ups, and my appt is on the 29th. Problem is, i've never had a fresh slip up when i go to see him, and i am quite nervous as to how he'll react. I've honestly really been trying these passed few months to stop SI and i am really not wanting to see the look on his as well as the nurse's face. i was also planning on asking about scar treatment, and i suppose now that would be out of the question. but anyways, to the point! should i just go to my regular doctor, who is not as cruel and trust him to do a good check up or should i suck it up and go to the dermatologist? is it worth the risk? i dunno...

effervescence · 23-08-2011, 12:16 AM

I think you need to see a dermatologist especially with your history as I'm sure you know that melanoma can kill.

Is there any way you could ask to see a different dermatologist, perhaps ask to see a woman?

marilynnrose · 23-08-2011, 07:20 AM

unfortuneately if i asked to see a women she would be an 8 month + wait. so would the other two dermatologists. basically, i've been thrown to the crap doctor that nobody wants cause he's an ass and i have no other current option.
I suppose your right, I do know melanoma very well and i've seen it work its way all the way to the end. i'll just see him, sticks and stones, thanks for the response, i guess i just needed a confirmation to what i was already thinking.

Geranium2 · 23-08-2011, 04:10 PM

I agree that you do need to see the dermatologist for this, (even though in conduct terms he's not doing his job very well.)

I was wondering if you felt able to discuss his comments with the GP? They might be able to have a word and stop that happening.

Imperfect.Star · 23-08-2011, 07:32 PM

There are some GPs who have a special interest in dermatology. Maybe there's one in your surgery who you could see. If not it is worth seeing a dermatologist as they are likely to be the only ones with a dermatoscope (the instrument to look really carefully at lesions to see their structure). Does the consultant you see have a registrar doing clinics with him? If so maybe you could see them? You might have to see the consultant too but you could ask the reg to ask him not to say anything about the injuries.

About scar treatments...you can still ask about them even if they say that now isn't the right time. I just had steroid injections into my keloid scars even though I had fairly recent cuts.

marilynnrose · 23-08-2011, 11:32 PM

I did make my GP aware of some of the things he has said, although I didn't describe them specifically. It was quite obvious that my GP has had those complaints in the past. The dermatologist is a private clinic and its run by him and a few other nurses. I don't think I'll be quite as shocked to hear from him this time around as I'll be expecting it. I'd rather be the one to tell him his bedside manner is unprofessional than have it come from my doctor. I think it'd get the point across better.

Geranium2 · 24-08-2011, 02:56 AM

If you feel able to tell him it's unprofessional that's great. I'm glad because you really shouldn't have to put up with those kind of comments. You sound really strong!

marilynnrose · 24-08-2011, 03:14 AM

nah i'm just fed up with people and i dont give a ****. haha :p