I've often read through medical threads online, and found them useful, but never joined one to ask questions.

I would like some advice on a few things, and i'm sure someone at some point (should anyone reply - i hope you do- ) will recommend seeing my GP.
I have an issue about that, one that i have to overcome, yes, but it's nevertheless an issue.
My mother passed away 5 years ago, and regular visits beforehand of complaints of fever and terrible chest amongst other symptoms, were ignored by THREE of the doctors at our clinic. They blamed her history of being a smoker (although she had quit for over a year before these problems) She eventually admitted herself to a great London hospital under a week later, but passed away very suddenly. She had pneumonia, and wasn't strong enough after one of her lungs collapsed.
I do not blame the clinic, i don't blame anyone, but visiting the doctors installs a deep panic in me.

So... any help here would be very much appreciated

One of the two things id like advice on, is a lump on my right hip. It is hard and doesn't move around, and has made the skin above it slightly raised and is darkened in colour (the area is no larger in diameter than a small fingertip). I have had it for a few years now, and am only reminded of its presence when dressing and moisturising. It isn't painful, and my ex boyfriend assumed it was just a mole. Any ideas?


Snoring. Nice! I have snored horribly (like most in my immediate line of family) ever since i was small, and not only is it hugely embarassing, it causes terrible throat problems when i awake most mornings. I have tried sprays, those minty strips that desolve on the back of your tongue, and the gumshield style mouth guard that forces your bottom jaw to sit forward. None of them worked (the guard would never be in my mouth in the morning).
Does anyone know of any true effective treatment?

Thanks for reading