[Archived] Lump In The Groin.

[ihtd]

Right guys, i'm pretty much bricking it right now without putting it in anymore of a crude way. I've discovered a lump in the good ol' groin region and its got me pretty much scarred s#######. Add to that i'm having problems swallowing food and pain in my lower back it appears to me to be pointing to one thing. I've got a doctors appointment tomorrow night but my GP isn't exactly the best doctor in the world and spends very little time in dealing adequetly with their patients :S and will more than likely just fob me off with anti-iotics like usual which never do anything for me. Can you pretty much demand that you are referred for a ultra-sound scan even if its just to put your mind at ease?

Anyway, have any of you guys had any experiences with lumps in areas you'd rather they wasn't and found out what they are etc?

[broadsword]

Just bloody demand to see a specialist and don't leave the surgery until you have got a referral.

If that doesn't work, change your GP immediately, he sounds a complete ass.

[ihtd]

Just bloody demand to see a specialist and don't leave the surgery until you have got a referral.

If that doesn't work, change your GP immediately, he sounds a complete ass.

Am i actually able to demand an immediate referral or would i pretty much just get struck off the GP's register of patients if i did that? I had no choice but to sign on for this GP when i moved to Bolton, all the others in the local area where full

[JC4LAB]

You could also go to a sports injury physio just for an opinion.(see yellow pages).... Probably be able to identify a rupture type ailment....

[dellinsert]

I had a scary experience recently, not a lump but other symptoms which scared the sh*t out of me. My doctor referred me to the specialist at Royal Blackburn Hospital. The NHS now uses a "choose and book" system where basically you log on and can choose the soonest appointment at any nearby centre. Demand to use this when you go.

Any doctor worth his salt will do all he can for you, and set your mind at ease. And don't worry if they think you are some form of hypochondriac, if you aren't happy keep going back until you're satisfied all avenues have been explored.

If you need any advice feel free to pm.

[ihtd]

You could also go to a sports injury physio just for an opinion.(see yellow pages).... Probably be able to identify a rupture type ailment....

I'd be rather happy to if the lump wasn't on a testicle, but thanks anyway

Its in a rather awkward spot to find as well due to the location of the lump so i'm hoping the doctor isn't going to have any trouble finding it, my girlfriend has had no trouble finding it though which made me book the appointment ASAP. Its all the other symptoms that are worrying me though, the problems with swallowing food and the lower back pain and then the lump, IMO its not looking too good right now, so i'm stressed out to a level i've never been before.

[koi]

If your not happy with service you get COMPLAIN, go to the NHS Trust that funds your GP.

My Mrs is a medic so I have some 'inside info' but in general:

Easy to say but hard to do; Chill as much as you can. The chances of it being anything serious are slim. It's easy to jump to conclusions and think the worse, it's natural. There's loads of everyday problems such as hernia's. abscesses, twisted bulloks, cyst's, varicous vains or simple wear n tear damage. You could quite easily have an infection such as glandular feaver which could cause your sore throat. IF and its a big IF you have a tumour or something of that ilk then it is extremely treatable. So, chillax, take it easy. Or ring NHS Direct and have a nice chat to the advisor.

OR have you been dippin your tinky winky in dirty waters?? STI?

Seriously, I know its worrying but try and keep everything in perspective.

[ihtd]

If your not happy with service you get COMPLAIN, go to the NHS Trust that funds your GP.

My Mrs is a medic so I have some 'inside info' but in general:

Easy to say but hard to do; Chill as much as you can. The chances of it being anything serious are slim. It's easy to jump to conclusions and think the worse, it's natural. There's loads of everyday problems such as hernia's. abscesses, twisted bulloks, cyst's, varicous vains or simple wear n tear damage. You could quite easily have an infection such as glandular feaver which could cause your sore throat. IF and its a big IF you have a tumour or something of that ilk then it is extremely treatable. So, chillax, take it easy. Or ring NHS Direct and have a nice chat to the advisor.

OR have you been dippin your tinky winky in dirty waters?? STI?

I've not been dippin in any dirty waters but thanks for making me laugh right now, needed that. I've not got a sore throat though, I am just really struggling to swallow food, its like my brain is telling it not to let me swallow it and i find myself practically choking and needing to swallow pretty much everything i eat with water. Bread is pretty much a no go right now, i need a pint of water to make it go down.

I'm trying to relax but I really can't. I had my final biomechanics exam this morning at university and i couldn't even concentrate on it because of this. luckily i think i've done enough on the exam but i know i could have done a bit better.

[den]

Am i actually able to demand an immediate referral or would i pretty much just get struck off the GP's register of patients if i did that? I had no choice but to sign on for this GP when i moved to Bolton, all the others in the local area where full

If it was me and I wasn't satisfied with his diagnosis ihtd, I would ask nicely for a second opinion. Don't go in with the intentions of having a set to with the doc, that will only make it harder for both of you.

I think you're jumping the gun though. Go, listen to what he has to say and I'm fairly sure you will be dealt with properly.

[Majiball]

I'm trying to relax but I really can't. I had my final biomechanics exam this morning at university and i couldn't even concentrate on it because of this. luckily i think i've done enough on the exam but i know i could have done a bit better.

If your results are bad apply for a PMC, it will be given for circumstances like that.

Koi's advice is sound it could be any number of things, the odds of it being what I assume you think it is are very slim.

Another approach would be to go to A & E, if you have no faith in your GP (sorry I can relate to that at present) they will deal with it there and then.

[koi]

No worries mate!

Oh biomechanics, are doing Sports Science or something similar?

Just a thought, does your Uni not have a drop-in facility or something similar arranged with a local GP? Mine did, I think, well he said he was a doctor, actually now I think about it............. the scoundrel.

A young relative of mine had a similar issue, his nads really swelled-up (I mean big-time, gold-ball sized swelling). It turned out to be a cyst on one of his swingers, which had to be drained. It's since returned and this time they had a right go at it, seems to be okay now though he does speak in a higher pitch. Joking, he's always talked like a girl.

[ihtd]

Koi's advice is sound it could be any number of things, the odds of it being what I assume you think it is are very slim.

Another approach would be to go to A & E, if you have no faith in your GP (sorry I can relate to that at present) they will deal with it there and then.

I hope it isn't what i think it is, i really do because everything has slowly been falling into place over the last few months and this would completely derail everything I'm moving into my first place in less than two weeks with my girlfriend, getting a job in sports development (dependant on them getting the money to pay me) and have been generally happy after a bad year last year with finding out my dad had taken out a loan to fund his second life cheating on my mum etc etc.

I'm very tempted to go to A & E if the doctor tomorrow doesn't refer me to a specialist for at least a scan in the next two weeks. I was reading on the Everyman website, that a GP is meant to have you referred for a scan within two weeks of seeing them, so hopefully this is the case.

[berkshireblue]

I hope it isn't what i think it is, i really do because everything has slowly been falling into place over the last few months and this would completely derail everything I'm moving into my first place in less than two weeks with my girlfriend, getting a job in sports development (dependant on them getting the money to pay me) and have been generally happy after a bad year last year with finding out my dad had taken out a loan to fund his second life cheating on my mum etc etc.

I'm very tempted to go to A & E if the doctor tomorrow doesn't refer me to a specialist for at least a scan in the next two weeks. I was reading on the Everyman website, that a GP is meant to have you referred for a scan within two weeks of seeing them, so hopefully this is the case.

ihtd

Had exactly the same thing last week , went to Doctors, a lady, no blokes free, she reckoned it may be swelling at the top of the tube and has prescribed 6 days of anti biotics ( I also do a fair bit of cycling which does nt help ) The pain has gone but the lump is still there, so if no improvement I will return and demand a scan but she seems to think that its an infection and swelling so dont panic too much

[Rovermatt]

It depend where it is in your groin. I had a similar experience a couple of years ago and it turned out to be a hernia.

[ihtd]

It depend where it is in your groin. I had a similar experience a couple of years ago and it turned out to be a hernia.

Its a small, pea sized lump towards the bottom of the testicle mate, so i'm pretty sure its not a hernia, thanks though anyway.

[Shevchenko]

Is it painful in general or when palpated?

It is most likely nothing too serious, but I understand it can be hard to not panic. Lower back pain is very common and can be cause by a range of different things and chances are there is no connection to anything testicular. Can´t see how trouble swallowing foods would be related either.

Good luck!

[broadsword]

whatever you do, dont try to self-diagnose using teh internet, you'll probably get it wrong and you'll scare yourself half to death

[stuwilky]

no advice other than whats already been given ihtd.

I know how you feel, had a scare with the youngest child last year - referral was 8 days after our usually inept GP gave us an urgent referral. Turned out despite all the signs to the contrary that it was nowt hope its the same outcome.

[den]

whatever you do, dont try to self-diagnose using teh internet, you'll probably get it wrong and you'll scare yourself half to death

No, don't self diagnose - definately not. Having said that, if it wasn't for the internet I wouldn't be here today Bryan.

[ihtd]

I've only had a look on the Everyman website just to try and put my mind at ease but to be fair its made it worse.

Must admit, i've not been this worried in my life so far

Shevchenko, the pain is pretty much there most the time but it is rather painful when palpated too, its more of a nagging pain all the time.

[1864roverite]

One piece of advice

GET IT SEEN and DONT be embarrassed.

[tony gale's mic]

I was going to ask some questions on here about the lump since I'm a couple of weeks away from being confirmed being a qualified doctor, but I don't think that's a good idea really since I wouldnt want to give you the wrong impression of what is a very sensitive topic. It really needs to be seen on examination. There are all sorts of things that can lead to lumps in the scrotum though, including herniae.

I will say though that your priority should be to make sure the doctor listens to all your concerns and addresses them in a manner that makes you feel that they've done that. Don't automatically expect or demand that you should have a scan - if everyone had every investigation for everything then the NHS would be long bankrupt. Worrying pathology in the testicular region is usually telltale and can be identified quite easily on palpation. Most of the time it's something benign and a lot of the time the doctor will feel there's no further investigation needed. If another investigation is required (eg a scan) this doesn't mean you've got something bad, it's still more likely there's just a small lingering doubt and the doctor wants to make sure.

However, if you feel the doctor hasn't been paying attention to what you've been saying or has been flippant or dismissive of your concerns, then that's the time to take things further.

[Rovermatt]

Its a small, pea sized lump towards the bottom of the testicle mate, so i'm pretty sure its not a hernia, thanks though anyway.

Ah you didn't mention the testicle. That's not a hernia then. I really hope it turns out ok.

[Tom]

Hope its all OK mate.

I was once worried myself when I was about 19 turned out to be just tissue after a visit to the GP

[OhmiBRFC]

Right guys, i'm pretty much bricking it right now without putting it in anymore of a crude way. I've discovered a lump in the good ol' groin region and its got me pretty much scarred s#######. Add to that i'm having problems swallowing food and pain in my lower back it appears to me to be pointing to one thing. I've got a doctors appointment tomorrow night but my GP isn't exactly the best doctor in the world and spends very little time in dealing adequetly with their patients :S and will more than likely just fob me off with anti-iotics like usual which never do anything for me. Can you pretty much demand that you are referred for a ultra-sound scan even if its just to put your mind at ease?

Anyway, have any of you guys had any experiences with lumps in areas you'd rather they wasn't and found out what they are etc?

I had a lump there and it scared me for a very long time. In the end it was nothing but a hernia.