Decided to go private

crabby85

Im on a 6 month waiting list to see the Rheumatologist and it all got too much for me yesterday. The pains, the not knowing, the waiting...

So i rang the private hospital and they have a slot on Friday afternoon.

I feel relieved im going to see someone but dont know what to expect. I feel completely lost - i am in pain in most of my joints (and some areas that arent joints, like forearms) but theres no swelling, no obvious signs of anything. I dont know if a private consultation is any different to the nhs, i just want them to be thorough and find out whats wrong with me The blood tests ive had so far (and seems like they've tested me for everything they can in the gp surgery) have all drawn a blank! The gp referred me as she was kind of stumped as to why im getting these pains. I just feel so abnormal because i havent got obvious signs of anything but feel dreadful.

villier

Crabby, I am so glad you have your appointment on Friday as it is the waiting and not knowing that can sometimes be the hardest. I honestly do not know if they will do anything different because you are private. They will probably do the usual looking, prodding, x-rays. bloods I hope someone comes along that has been private to answer your question, good luck for Friday, please let us know how you get on................Marie xx

elnafinn

Hi Crabby

I am sorry to read about the pain you are in, you being young too and with a young baby to look after. Thank goodness family are there for you.

I do hope your appointment goes well for you. You can at least rest assured that you will see the named rheumatologist and not "a member of the team" or however they seem to phrase it when attending via NHS. Hopefully your GP has sent an informative referral letter to the rheumi. He may be able to access your blood results but quite often they prefer to do their own tests so may start from scratch. Take your pain diary along which I think you mentioned you have started and a list of questions you may wish to ask.

At least you will be seen by the end of this week. Do let us know how you go on.

Elna x

As5567

crabby85 wrote:

Im on a 6 month waiting list to see the Rheumatologist and it all got too much for me yesterday. The pains, the not knowing, the waiting...

So i rang the private hospital and they have a slot on Friday afternoon.

I feel relieved im going to see someone but dont know what to expect. I feel completely lost - i am in pain in most of my joints (and some areas that arent joints, like forearms) but theres no swelling, no obvious signs of anything. I dont know if a private consultation is any different to the nhs, i just want them to be thorough and find out whats wrong with me The blood tests ive had so far (and seems like they've tested me for everything they can in the gp surgery) have all drawn a blank! The gp referred me as she was kind of stumped as to why im getting these pains. I just feel so abnormal because i havent got obvious signs of anything but feel dreadful.

6 month waiting list is a long time, I was due to see a new Rheumatolgist in August of this year (Appointment made in oct/nov) I eventually got them to see me in early march after kicking up a fuss.

I can't really offer any advice on what to expect at the first appointment, I was a child when I had my first appointment and don't even remember it. Do let us know how it goes and good luck.

salamander

6 months is a shockingly long time to wait for an appointment. Aren't there national guidelines, or targets, or whatever they are called for waiting times?

I wish you the best with your consultation on Friday.

As5567

National target is 18 weeks I think

maria09

Hi Crabby
Wow 6 months that's dreadful and certainly not hitting the governments targets.
I am just about to get medical health insurance for my daughter as I,want her to have the benefit of faster healthcare. It's quite expensive and the one I've found will cover her chronic condition (ulcerative colitis) after she has had the policy for 2 years even if she has had medical treatment in those 2 years as most policies say you have to be symptom free for those 2 years and if you have had medical treatment you have to start the 2 year wait again which is not possible for her as she's in a constant flair.
The consultant will ask you lots of questions like is the pain and stiffness worse on a morning, how long it takes to get dressed and how long does the stiffness last before you can move around.
It might be worth writing such things down and also any questions you have as I always leave thinking why didn't I,ask him that!
He will probably send you for blood tests and maybe X-rays too if you are feeling nervous take someone with you for support.
I,hope all,goes well on Friday
Maria

lulubell69

Hi crabby
When I first exhibited the symptoms of RA my gp was totally uninterested, even when I went to the surgery in a wheelchair as I couldn't walk. Long story. He wouldn't refer me to a rheumatologist, receptionist said he was too busy!!!! Anyway, I went private and he fully examined me, gave me two steroid injections in knees and made a follow up appointment soon after (NHS). It cost about 180 but it allowed me to jump the queue and I was seen to much quicker. The consultant told me that my gp should have referred me immediately and I would have been seen within two weeks ( guidelines).
I initially tried all different roots, a and e, walkin centre, numerous gp visits, etc but no one was interested in helping. From exhibiting the first symptoms to seeing the rheumatologist (privately) the RA had spread throughout my body.
Good luck
Les

crabby85

Thankyou all for your replies.

I picked up copies of my last set of blood tests from my gp surgery today so i can take them with me to the consultant tomorrow, so he knows exactly what they've tested me for already (i'm so needle-phobic, but i know he'll want to do some more blood tests!) The reason the gp referred me in the first place is because one result showed an 'inflammatory marker' - she had the test repeated about 3 weeks later and told me everything was fine the second time round but would refer me anyway. I've just looked at the copy and it is clearly marked out on the sheet in bold print with the word 'high' on both tests. Im not sure why she told me it was ok now if it is still high. I will show the consultant tomorrow. Maybe he'll repeat the test.

Still in pain today, tomorrow cant come quick enough.

crabby85

lulubell69 wrote:

Hi crabby
When I first exhibited the symptoms of RA my gp was totally uninterested, even when I went to the surgery in a wheelchair as I couldn't walk. Long story. He wouldn't refer me to a rheumatologist, receptionist said he was too busy!!!! Anyway, I went private and he fully examined me, gave me two steroid injections in knees and made a follow up appointment soon after (NHS). It cost about 180 but it allowed me to jump the queue and I was seen to much quicker. The consultant told me that my gp should have referred me immediately and I would have been seen within two weeks ( guidelines).
I initially tried all different roots, a and e, walkin centre, numerous gp visits, etc but no one was interested in helping. From exhibiting the first symptoms to seeing the rheumatologist (privately) the RA had spread throughout my body.
Good luck
Les

Gosh, how terrible no-one was willing to take the time to help. I know what you mean though, i feel so insignificant when i go to the gp. Good job you went private but it shouldnt have to be the case! x

crabby85

maria09 wrote:

Hi Crabby
Wow 6 months that's dreadful and certainly not hitting the governments targets.
I am just about to get medical health insurance for my daughter as I,want her to have the benefit of faster healthcare. It's quite expensive and the one I've found will cover her chronic condition (ulcerative colitis) after she has had the policy for 2 years even if she has had medical treatment in those 2 years as most policies say you have to be symptom free for those 2 years and if you have had medical treatment you have to start the 2 year wait again which is not possible for her as she's in a constant flair.
The consultant will ask you lots of questions like is the pain and stiffness worse on a morning, how long it takes to get dressed and how long does the stiffness last before you can move around.
It might be worth writing such things down and also any questions you have as I always leave thinking why didn't I,ask him that!
He will probably send you for blood tests and maybe X-rays too if you are feeling nervous take someone with you for support.
I,hope all,goes well on Friday
Maria

Medical health insurance is the way to go if you can afford it. Im lucky that my parents are paying for me to be seen tomorrow. x

dreamdaisy

GPs know a little about a lot, whereas rheumatologists know a lot about a little. I think one thing is true - it takes a confident professional to be equable when their 'judgement' is called into question, especially by a mere 'amateur'.

I went for a private consultation many years ago and discovered that my NHS docs were doing all they could. Your situation is different and I hope that you can get a much clearer idea about what is going on with you and why. Please let us know how you get on, yes? I hope you have made a list of the things that are causing you the most trouble because, although we intend to mention everything, once we're in that room our good intentions have an unfortunate tendency to vanish. Good luck! DD

fortuna

Good luck tomorrow
Fortuna

barbara12

Hi Crabby
I think you have done the right thing ..at least you will hopefully be a bit nearer and can still be treated on the NHS..its awful how you have had to wait 6 months..good luck with the appointment and please let us know how it goes x