I have been a member of health unlocked for many years but not posted anything! I have RA and was diagnosed in 2000. Over the years I have learned to cope with my RA and the other conditions that have come along with it! For myself I have tried to keep positive all along and didn’t want this to overtake my life. While there have been times where it has sucked the life out of me I have still tried to keep positive! I have not seen my Rheumatologist since before lockdown and when I was eventually sent an appointment to go and see him it was cancelled a couple of weeks later. Since then I still haven’t had a new appointment. The reason for my post today is I have a growth on my thumb which started as a very small lump that was squishy, over time it has become bigger and bigger! I have spoken several times with my nurse and with a a GP and they have no idea what it is? As it’s grown bigger the top part of it is hard and the bottom of it as it grows is squishy. It’s gone from a very small lump to nearly covering my thumb. Does anyone on here have any idea what it could be please?
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Freefrompain
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Sorry I can’t help with what it could be but I think I would insist on being seen in person rather than just speaking to the doctor. Lumps should be investigated, I can’t believe because they don’t know what it is they’re happy to just leave it without even seeing it. If they don’t know then they should refer you to someone who will be able to tell you. It might just be a nodule but it’s growing and that’s not good. I hope you find out what it is soon🤗
Thank you so very much!! It feels like at times I’m just fobbed off and since having my first Covid vaccine it became bigger and then the same after my second vaccine?
Hi Freefrompain. Have you tried your nearest A & E or ringing 111, you need it looked at and if your GP or rheumy department won't check it out, someone else should. Good luck.
Or if there is one in the area that I would try the walk in Minor Injuries unit…they deal with most things….they confirmed my attack of Shingles & got me an emergency GP appointment to get the anti virals.
Ours isn't that busy since Covid (on the odd occasion I've been in there) but the nurses do tend to stand around chatting and laughing between themselves sometimes which is a bit annoying when you're waiting to be seen, but it's better than nowt.
Ganglion? but your GP must know surely. He/she should see you or refer you to a dermatologist to get it checked out. Even if not painful it must cause problems when gripping stuff.
I agree with Kitty. This definitely needs investigating. Don't be fobbed off. Ring for an emergency appointment today. Someone needs to see it and deal with it. Good luck. Let us know how you get on.
You need to be referred for further investigation. I had a lump for a couple of years which I thought was a ganglion. It wasn't. I saw a second GP who sent me for an ultrasound and I had to have the lump removed and a biopsy - which fortunately was benign. Don't delay
Yes you definitely need it seen by a doctor but could be a nodule linked to RA. I seem to be prone to these despite my RA being generally well controlled. Mine vary massively from hard bony lumps to tiny hard spots. They don’t hurt at all but come and go in various parts of my hands.
I do have Nodules on both my hands which are pretty much the same size as yours. I also have a couple on my wrists and toes do I’m certain it not a Nodule.Thank you for your advice .
I have two on my thumb but they are now hard , I would get your GP to look at it. I haven't seen my consultant since lockdown but the nurses are great . Don't lose your positivity
Hi I also have the same lumps. Mine appeared about 3 years ago. I’ve also went and should my doctor who looked then asked few other doctors to look and told didn’t know what it was and I also went on to show rhemy my nurse and a few different doctors and I never got a answer neither. All I got was mmm and I’m still none the wiser.
I understand completely unfortunately I have had the same response as yourself and it does get you down as when you are told over and over again that they have idea what it is and it does worry me.
It looks like a ganglion/cyst…they can be removed …..or it could be a Heberden node…I have these on my fingers & rheumy tells me they are from osteo arthritis. Mine don’t hurt most of the time…then for no reason they are very painful for a couple of days then they go back to normal.As you have shown it to your GP & he doesn’t know what it is I’d try to at least to get your rheumy nurse to have a look at it.
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