Early, mild symptoms - is it worth getting a private consultation?

I’m a 26-year-old woman and I’ve had seemingly neurological symptoms for about 4 months now, but so far they’ve been quite mild. I’m trying to figure out whether I should just manage my anxiety and wait for the NHS appointment, or get seen privately.

In April, I experienced pins and needles in my hands and forearms for the first time in my life, which freaked me out as I’d never had that sensation before. I also had some upper back pain and concluded it’s probably just a strained nerve. The sensation went away in a week.

In late June, I suddenly felt my left hand go slightly numb, and it stayed that way for several days, with pins and needles in both hands developing over the next few days. I could still grip things and move my hand normally, but it felt more difficult than usual, and I was very anxious. This is when I first started worrying that my symptoms might be an early sign of MS. I went to see my GP, who did basic neurological checks and said it’s probably cubital tunnel syndrome, but I should come back if the symptoms get worse as it could warrant a referral to a neurologist. The sensations gradually faded, and for a few weeks I felt completely healthy again.

However, in late July/early August, I’ve had more new symptoms - one morning I woke up feeling very dizzy, and the vertigo lasted for a couple of hours. Again I could still walk and coordinate, but it felt distracting. I’ve also felt a slight feeling of numbness around my mouth and tongue. Last night I had a headache with mild nausea lasting several hours, which is unusual for me. When I woke up this morning, I had slight tingling in my hands again.

I decided to get in touch with my GP again and sent in an e-consult saying I would like to be considered for a referral to a neurologist. However, I’m worried that even if my GP agrees, the wait will take a year or longer. Therefore I’m wondering if it would be worth it to shell out hundreds for a private consultation and fast-track the diagnostics process. I am aware that my symptoms are mild and aren’t really stopping me from doing anything at the moment - it’s mostly just the anxiety that it could get worse that’s gnawing at me. I know it’s also possible that my anxiety is making me hyper-vigilant about sensations in my body that might be normal.

At this point, I’m not sure if the benefits of a possible early diagnosis would justify the high cost. I thought this forum might be the best place to ask. Would it be more sensible to wait for the GP’s opinion and referral or book a private consultation?

Hi, hope you’re ok? Have you got any further with your appointments?

My doctors fast tracked me and my local NHS service said they have 8 weeks for fast track referrals to issue an appointment.

I am having a private consultation and I have moved my NHS care from one area to another due to poor care (I’m lucky I live on a boarder of two cities) and the area I am transferring too have MS specialists.

If it was me and the anxiety is making things worse for you and you have the funds to have the initial appointment privately then go for it. I did my research and I have found a specialist by me that works before privately and with the NHS.

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Hi CSHE, I’m doing pretty well, I hope you are OK too :slight_smile:

I ended up waiting for the NHS referral, and I have now been given an appointment at UCLH in the end of January. I’m glad I didn’t pay for a private neurologist, because the wait time ended up being shorter than I expected (about half a year). It’s still long but my symptoms have remained mild so I haven’t felt a strong sense of urgency. I continue to get tingling in my limbs that comes and goes along with some other random symptoms that may or may not be neurological, such as a feeling of weakness in my jaw.

Although my symptoms aren’t really holding me back at all, managing the anxiety is definitely the most difficult part right now. In any case, I think I’ll be OK until January. Of course I don’t know yet what the timeframe looks like after that, but I hope that once I’ve had my initial appointment with the NHS, I’ll be able to keep the ball rolling without going private.

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Hi I am in exactly the same position, early and mild symptoms that could possibly all add up to MS. My mum has had it for 40 years so I know quite a bit about it. I’ve been referred to a neurologist but it could be 6 months before I get an appointment ! I am suffering from terrible anxiety and finding it difficult to control it and feel I’m in limbo and can’t find the joy in anything. I too am thinking if it’s worthwhile trying to go private but my GP advises against it. Surely early diagnosis is key to early treatment in slowing it down - grateful for any advice right now Thanks