Hi. I wondered if anyone had any experience of paying to see. neurologist privately?
As many of you on here know I have had problems with very strange head feelings. Not pain but a constant muzziness slight balance problems and just weird sensations. My GP referred me to a neurologist at out local hospital who did a scan and confirmed the blood from the brain bleed had vanished and just prescribed Pregabalin which did no good whatsoever. I’m now really fed up with this constant weird feeling and wondering about going private. However I am concerned about the cost. Ok I Pat a fee to see a Consultant but if he suggests scans blood tests etc the cost could be just too much. Just wondered if anyone had any experience of this.
Janet
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Hi Janet, i haven’t done this but I know sometimes you can pay to see the consultant privately & then move back into the NHS system for further follow ups etc. It might be worth looking to see if that is possible in this case.
Do you think a private neurologist might investigate further than the NHS one you have seen? If cost is an issue could you request a 2nd opinion on the NHS?
Have you looked into whether your meds ate causing this? I remember my stroke consultant saying clopidogrel can cause headches etc. I know your symptoms aren’t headaches but maybe they can cause other head issues too.
I have lots of sympathy with how you are feeling. I so look forward to a day when I have a clear head again & I really hope you get to that point too.
Good luck in finding the end to your symptoms.
Ann x
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I have, at an eye watering cost and they found nothing different to the scans I had done when I was first admitted. It was a complete waste of both time and money tbh. Perhaps I just lucked out on the neurologist but I felt short changed.
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Hello Janet @Apple - I have not seen a neurologist privately, however, I thought I would at least share my thoughts and give you something to think about.
Firstly, exactly as Ann says, do you think the outcome will be different because you pay for it and further, before you spend that money is it worth getting a second opinion which I believe you would be entitled to do?
My personal thoughts are the NHS is actually not all that bad and going private doesn’t necessarily guarantee a different outcome. What it does do as far as I am aware and indeed, I have experienced it for other medical conditions is get you quick access, so the waiting time is almost nil. If you have the money and time is of the essence, go private, but don’t expect miracles.
You may be aware, or you may not that many of the NHS consultants also work in private practice - so hopefully you would think that they should arrive at the same conclusion when they see you whether under the NHS or in a private capacity.
As per the above, this is only one example but it kind of supports what I am suggesting.
I myself have paid for private treatment and today I am still suffering from the same ailment i.e. after the NHS consultation I thought go private, I did and the outcome was the same. I am no better off and slightly lighter in the pocket. Now that is not to say this will always be the case.
As Ann says do you think there is a benefit or likelihood of a different outcome with a private consultation? If so, then to satisfy yourself, you should try it so that you can at least have peace of mind knowing that you have been examined as best as you can be.
I have heard the phrase, “You get what you pay for”, but in this case I am not so sure. Don’t forget, whilst you might think the NHS is free, of course it is not - you have paid into the system and that is why you are able to get the treatment under the NHS. Yes, there are some weaknesses but overall I think it is not such a bad system.
Hope this gives you something to think about.
One other thing I would add is that if you are thinking of going private, have you thought about complimentary medicine?
There are a few members on this forum who may have ideas, or they may not on this route (complimentary medicine), so I’ll give them a plug here. I am thinking of @pando Roland, possibly Rupert @Rups and one of our newer contributors @smellypup.
Wishing you all the best.
Namaste|
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Hmmm, I tend to agree with @ManjiB, there’s no guarantee that going private will resolve any issues, especially if they are not life-threatening or causing severe pain. If the brain is damaged, it will have a knock effect throughout the entire body, but there are ways to gently encourage towards homeostasis. However, some damage may cause on and off, irreparable defects that may haunt and taunt us for the rest of our lives, and as we age other conditions come into effect and we strive to manage and attend to these in the best possible way. I sometimes wonder how many people get uncomfortable and distressing ailments, only to put them aside and not talk about them. My recent MRI showed T2 hyperintensity which I was told is not uncommon but I would have, blissfully, gone about my business had I not known this, this is a recent development and one of aging, it’s amazing what you find under the hood but little one can do about it except apply best practice to living habits and lifestyle, hope one’s genes are tough enough and … realised I was going on a tangent.
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Hello. Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply to my pathetic meanderings yesterday! Great to have the support from this helpful and friendly group.
I spoke to my GP this morning and he was very much of the opinion that going privately or having a second referral to Neurology wouldn’t really help. He said I would probably just be advised to take Gabapentin or similar but as Pregabalin had no affect it seemed unlikely that anything else would help either. So I battle on. I did try Acupuncture but no success there either. Looks as if it’s a shut up and get on with it symptom so I will do just that of maybe I will try Ann’s remedy and wear a tight hat! Thanks All Janet
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Hi Janet, it is so frustrating isn’t it when you can’t get any respite from bothersome symptoms. Sometimes there isn’t an explanation or anything that can be done. As no doubt you do, I have days where I can get on with my symptoms & then other days where they get me down.
I really hope in time thecsymptoms improve - even just a little bit.
Best wishes
Ann xx
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Thanks Ann. Yes it’s very frustrating and my GP said yesterday he felt guilty because he couldn’t help bless him. Oh well it’s a beautiful sunny day so think it’s time for some fresh air!
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I’m going private next week as I was disappointed in my NHS consultant, and would rather pay and speak to someone than request a second consultation then wait X months.
I chose this one myself based on credentials. Can’t put a price on peace of mind imo.
I’ve also gone private in the past for various things and definitely got what I paid for so im willing to take my chances again. Will let you know how I get on
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In my experience most consultants are the same. Tought the same talk the same etc. Old info etc
You will find more cutting edge stuff on forums like from @pando or youtube. HBOT, accupuncture and massage are my top 3 for stroke, way more than you may think, along with all the common stuff you see mentioned.
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Thank you, @smellypup
That’s right. Thinking ‘outside the box’ or just ‘thinking’ will get you very far !!
I will put together a new clip on my trip to Italy, this last week, where I made some amazing progress with my rehab.
I welcome everyone to my channel, of course !!
https://www.youtube.com/@Start-Again-xyz
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Just an update for anyone interested. I went to see a private neuro, a young guy, who took great interest in my case. Reviewed all my scans, made notes etc before I even arrived. Very very informative, talked me through it start to finish.
Long story short he has ordered a new bubble echo as he thinks it’s likely I do have a PFO after all, with another consultant he trusts. Explained the failings of the NHS that led to me getting the ‘cryptogenic’ diagnosis. All in all, a good result, would definitely recommend it. Anyone in NI you can message me and I’ll tell you his name etc incase you want to go yourself.
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