Trusting Doctors
Does anyone else struggle with trusting what your doctor tells you?
I just had a regular skin check and my dermatologist gave me a clean bill of health (I have had some AKs and non melanoma removed before), used 5FU in Feb on my ears and then started to pick at my ears (continue to do some still) which created skin trauma on my ears.
My dermatologist said he thought I might need to use 5FU again but didn’t see any sun damage on my ears, which should be a good thing, but I picked at my ears again, opening a tiny wound and am struggling with anxiety now about it.
I also have other spots that the doctor said were okay, but my mind wants me to think that they are cancer or precancerous.
I want to believe and trust my dermatologist, whom has been very understanding and helpful, yet my fear and anxiety are ramping back up.
Almost like I feel I need another skin check asap.
we can understand your fears and concerns about suspicious spots. It sounds like you like and hopefully trust your dermatologist which is important. Do you think it may settle your fears a bit if you get a second opinion just to confirm what your doctor has said? Please know that you’re not alone, and so many in the community experience these same concerns. Sending positive vibes and well wishes, Julie (team member)
I think I already replied to a post you had on anxiety. I have not always felt my dermatologist was doing a good job. Not sure that is is anything against them as a person, but some just don't seem to have the time to spend with you to get a complete picture of your problems. You just have to keep searching, right now I am very satisfied with my care.
I see three different health care providers for my skin. My primary care provider, she is a PA. I she her every three months for shin checks. I feel she is the best at finding anything suspicious, a PA spends more time and is not quit as sure of themselves, so they will mark more lesions as suspicious. When and if she picks a lesion as suspicious I am sent to another Dermatology PA. I will then be checked again and biopsied if needed. Again this PA is more likely to send for biopsy than a MD Dermatologist. If the lesion comes back Cancerous I am then sent to a Dermatology MD to have it surgical removed.
