Private or wait for NHS?

moongazer

I'm not sure what to do next really and need a bit of help. I have seen GP and been diagnosed with OA in spine, having another x ray (hips) and blood tests (to rule out RA) tomorrow.

GP has referred me to specialist but has said appointment will take months to come through - there is a waiting list. I have been on specialists website - a private consultation is £180. Is there anything to be gained by paying and getting an earlier appointment? Will it really make any difference? GP has prescribed glucosamine and chondroitin.

I have asked about exercise and to be referred to physio. However, at the mo, the physios will not take GP referrals for any condition which has been present for more than 6 weeks. GP has said he will try to get me an appointment but to expect answer to be "no".
How important is it to see a physio ASAP after OA diagnosis? Will it make any long term difference?



Thanks

Moongazer

skezier

Hi Moongazer,

Ah the forum s your safety net and they wot let you fall.

I don't know about physio.... I was first diagnosed with oa as a teenager and didn't have physio (you didn't back then) till after the op.

My back doesn't like physio but getting the muscles strong really helps the spine I find. There are some exercises on the AC site, if you look on 'about arthritis (I think) you will find a link to another AC page so it might be worth that.

Now private or not ...... I had to wait for ages to see a Gastro s went private. I got a diagnosis, some tablets to really help and he arranged tests on the NHS then so the tests are lest time away. For me then it was the best thing to do.

Good luck and take care Cris

elnafinn

Hi Moongazer

If you can afford it, I would go private. as I understand it though if the consultant wishes to have xrays doneyou would have to get them done again, for his records. Try to go to a private consultant that also works on the NHS so you can be referred over if necessary.

So your gp has not prescribed you any pain killers or anti inflammatories. I wonder why not......

Sometimes physio works and other times not. I find it most bizarre what the physios are saying about if you have had the complaint for more than 6 weeks they will not touch you with a barge pole. Is this for any patient, I wonder, ie frozen shoulder and other ailments?

As Cris says there are exercises that you can download from this site.

I have oa and tend to do stretching exercises 6 days out of 7 and find it really helps. I am an active person and also think this has helped me. I had oa of the knees but had them replaced in the last 2 years. I have oa in one shoulder, both thumbs, neck and lower back. Anti inflams help me immensely and my daily exercise regime. I poodle around locally on my bike, use an exercise bike 10 minutes daily and am not overweight, if that accounts for anything.

I hope something gets sorted out for you soon, either on the NHS or privately.

Luv
Elna x

speedalong

Hi Moongazer and welcome,

I have nothing much to add to the advice given, let us know what you decide.

Speedy

moongazer

Thanks for late-night advice, I'll have a go at the exercises on this site while I ponder my future.

GP advised paracetamol and nurofen for pain. To be honest, I'm not one for taking tablets of any kind - if I have a headache I usually try to go to bed but I must admit these last few weeks I got really tired with not sleeping properly and probably should have taken something.

I think I am hoping that I won't get any symptoms again and so I can forget about it, it was hubby who nagged me to go to GP, I thought, maybe naively, the OA would just stay in my fingers - I hadn't considered it might travel round and now am shocked to find it has.

Physio 6 week limit is crazy, depending on who you talk to it is either due to budget or staff shortage.

Moongazer

dreamdaisy

Morning moongazer - what a lovely name! I don't have OA, so shouldn't realy be poking in my nose, but I do remember well the early days of all this malarkey and wondering what the hell would happen.

OA, like all forms of arthritis, develops. The rate of development and speed of it varies from person to person, so one cannot be specific. GPs usually deal with it and yours seems to have done all the right things so far. Pain does come with the territory so it may well be time to try and lose your aversion to tablets. If you are not in pain you can do more.

Delays are inevitable in the NHS, only you can decide about the private option. I have seen my rheumatologist privately, just for consultations. The main benefit you have is time: there is not a waiting room full of people. It's all very civilised and polite, and mine has always geven me as much time as I need. The cost for a consultation in my neck of the woods (East Anglia) is £70.

I wish you well, please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. Dreamdaisy

carola

Hi Moongazer.
I don't have OA however when I started all this Arthritis stuff and my GP suspected but needed to refer me to a Rheumatoligist I had to wait 5 months for my 1st appointment on NHS.
Therefore as I was still working at the time I went private too to hurry things along. I went private twice which amounted to £550 which incl. a steriod injection. My private consultant advised to put me on Methotrexate and suggested special blood tests that my GP hadn't heard of! To keep the cost down we got GP to do blood tests.
The funny thing was that the private dude I saw was the one I ended up going to see on the NHS!! But I don't regret the money as I started on my meds months quicker.
Unfortunately I had to give up my job due to pain so cannot go private anymore however with my experience if you can afford it then go private as you cannot mess about with your health
Hope this help, Carol

moongazer

Thanks for advice


Moongazer

valval

there are lots of ups and downs with getting your head around arther that is for sure and why we all come on here and let off steam and get off our chests to those who understand things that everyone else can not get there heads around welcome we are here when you need us val

moongazer

Thanks Valval

Moongazer

dreamdaisy

I like the idea of staying home and eating cake, sounds good! The best of luck with your appointment, moongazer. Please let us know how you get on. DD

frogmorton

Hi Moongazer

Glad you have made a decision - this will give you a focus now and may help you start to 'get your head' round it all.

Good luck for the apt and, as DD said, do let us know how you get on.

Love

Toni xx

moongazer

Thanks Frogmorton

Moongazer

dreamdaisy

Ummm yes, there's the one at Helmingham Hall, can't remember what it's called but I think it's soon, then there are a couple of little ones, then V in Chelmsford at the end of the summer! DD

carola

Hi Moongazer

Now that you have made the decision to go private remember to GET YOUR MONEY'S WORTH!!

Make sure you write bullet points of everything so you don't forget anything and to keep costs down try to do what I did eg Private dude told me what blood tests to have my nhs GP carry out and then I got a print out of the results and took them back to my private dude.

Good luck and keep us posted.
Carol

moongazer

Thanks for that Carol.

I thought the following might be important

Symptoms of my OA
Diet - eat/don't eat - any foods antagonistic
Weight - will dropping 2 stone make difference
Exercise - walking, gym?, pilates? yoga? cardio/range of movement/building muscle D
Daughter


Can you guys think of anything else

Thanks
Moongazer

frogmorton

Hiya

You have been planning havent you! good idea.

Think you should split OA symptoms down to when you get pain - e.g after activity or in the mornings or when?

How much it affects you

e.g.

walking, driving, bathing etc

What you ahve tried yourself

e.g.

meds, heat packs, cold ice packs any alternative therapiser you have tried yourself.

Love

Toni xx

moongazer

£180 for 40 mins kinda spurred me on and greatly focussed my mind.

Thanks for advice Toni, I'll do that

Moongazer

frogmorton

Ha ha!!

don't blame you at that price!!

I know they need to knwo how it impacts on your life.

You take care and I will be interested to hear how you get on.

Love

Toni xx