Hi guys and girls,
I have an appointment to see my nuro on the 14th of Feb very romantic.
My wife has mentioned that we should pay privately depending on the out come I was wondering if anyone knew how much it costs and whats involved and if it is actually worth doing in the first place?
Also if anyone knows the best person to see in Essex then that would help also.
Lots of peace and Love
Tom
I paid privately after MRI as I was told I couldn’t see anyone for 6 weeks, I saw the neuro privately based at my hospital 2 days later and got my diagnosis. I’m seeing him on the NHS tomorrow for a 3 month follow up after another MRI last week on the NHS.as your seeing someone next week I would suspect you wouldn’t get one much sooner even if you paid. I will see tomorrow how the neuro is on NHS time and if I’m not happy will pay again to see a different neuro from a different hospital even though I’m struggling financially. I think its important to see someone who you trust.
Sorry forgot to say cost 200.00.
Hi Tom, I don’t know where in Essex you are so you may already be under my neurologist who is based at Colchester General Hospital. His name is Dr Sharief and he is a ms specialist. He is a really lovely caring compassionate man. I would definitely recommend him 
Thank you guys,
Colchester is about an hour and half away, I am in Rochford nr Southend on sea.
Thanks Zoe, I will see how my appointment goes and thanks Nanny I will defo see what happens, its not about being seen sooner its about icreasing my chances of getting a diagnoses as soon as possible so I can get on with my life.
Hi Tom, I have read some od your other posts and you have been round the mill. I took an attack over four years ago (left side numb and right side weak!). My GPs would not refer me to a neuro on the NHS as they kept saying the problem was not neuroligical. I was put on strong anti-depressants even though I told them that I was not depressed. They then tried me on other drugs for personaity disorders etc. Failing that I was put on HRT because they thought that my symptoms were menopausal. Anyway this went on for 2 years so I rang a private clinic near me and made an appointment for a neuro. When asked did I have a referal for GP I lied and said yes. At the appointment I told neuro that I didnt have letter from GP because according to them my symtoms are ‘in my head’. After the exam which showed weakness and exaggerated reflexes he said that the problem is with my spinal cord. I was sent for MRI. The MRI showed one lesion in my cervical neck, clear brain. I was diagnosed with radiation myelopathy from radiation treatment that I had in 1990. This is very rare and there is are no real successful treatment options. They tried steriods and warfarin. The numbness etc has gone and I have been left with spasticity in my right leg. Then a year ago I was referred to another neuro on the NHS for botox injections in the spastic muscles. He strongly disagreed with the diagnosis of RM and suggested MS instead. I had another MRI which showed nothing new. He then gave me a LP which was clear. He admitted he cant diagnose MS yet. I have been left as a wait and see candidate. I didnt even get the botox as he said it would not be suitable for me ( I reakon the real reason is funding - but they cant tell you that).
I really feel for you as you are so young and I really hope that you get sorted soon. I am curious as to why you had 2 LPs. What were the results? Has transverse myelitis ever been mentioned to you?
Regards
Moyna x
Hi Tom,
It depends what you mean by “worth it”. If you want shorter waiting times, more time with the consultant, in (probably) more modern and comfortable surroundings, then yes. But if you want “different” answers to the ones you’ve been able to get on the NHS, then probably not. Private neuros will apply exactly the same diagnostic criteria as the NHS, so if your NHS neuro finds there’s insufficient evidence for a confirmed diagnosis, the chances are a private one would, as well.
Obviously, there is some room for subjective judgment, so if it was a borderline case, you might just find one neuro willing to diagnose, whereas another one wouldn’t. But only IF it’s a borderline case. I think, in the vast majority of cases, the verdict of a private neuro will be just the same as that of an NHS one. The only difference would be you see them quicker.
Tina
Hi Monya,
This first LP was a bit of a disaster and thingd like making me cough to get more fluid out, other than being painful and taking an hour with an idiot who realy didnt feel me with confidence my bed afterwards was wet and not just with blood. I believe she spilt the first lot which didnt give them enough for testinf purpose although the first LP showed increased lymphsites and the second showed and greater ammount the the first which showed them apparently it was fighting an infection in my brain somewhere hence the lesion. However when I said if there is more this time then last time why isnt this signifcant she replied tests can very up and down by 10% or so so you may just have the same ammount. I am also on antidepresents, they have given my a high dosage for ages now, i do counciling and CBt its not related to my condition and my councilor at £70ph is very good and believes this to be medical.
Tina thank you for your words of wisdom, I can be seen quick enough on the NHS ill cal everyday for a cancellation if nessosary, I just want to see someone that i feel actually cares and sympathises with my condition, She was worried the first time, then the second time after doing all the tests they want to put it down to a one of issolated incedent. well this time my wife and I will be having a to the point conversation with what she plans to do about it and what we can do in order to get this sorted, I appreciate eveyone is different and these things take time but as my spinal scans wernt clear and in there words, the seoncd one was blurry but readable enough means to me there could be another lesion in my sine somewhere thats small and has not been seen.
I dont like speculating I just want to make my wife happy and earn money and live a nice life enjoying life. at the moment what we have been through in our 2 years of marraige most people wont go through in 30 years so I think we are set for life. It doesnt help the matter but it is tearing things up. i dont think im no worse than anyone else without a dx but at the same time, If i dont push for me noone else will. I know its hard for everyone and I cant go through this for 2 years before they decided on something
Hello Tom,
I went to see a Nuero back in March’12 after being admitted to hospital in Jan’12. It was thought I had been having mini strokes and 2 doctors thought this was not fitting my symptoms and referred me, I did not know why at the time, but went with the flow. I saw a Locum Nuero (his attitude was not a compassionate one or respectful, but he had the higher ground over me becuase I wanted to know what was happening, so went with it, even though slightly annoyed with him) but he headed his letter to the GP as the Nuero I was supposed to see, so when I ever say I had not seen this named Nuero, nobody beleived me, so this did not help me at all. the Locum referred me to a Nuero surgeon for trapped nerve, but he said he did not want to proceed with surgery and referred me back as he could see I was concerned about the progressive neurological disfunction (thats how he described it)as i have had episodes since 2006 and each time i end up with some permanent damage from each one. In the meantime, I had another episode in August and admitted to hospital again and had another appt with another Nuero in September and it was him towards the end of our appointment that said I showed MS symptoms but clear MRI, shocked at this point as I never expected them to say this. But now I was intriged, found this site and forum and realised my symptoms where simular to others on here. So i decided to pay for a private Nuero appointment, and low and behold when I walked into the room it was the original Nuero I saw that nobody believed I did. Paying private gave me a longer appointment, the Nuero was more relaxed and I did not feel like I was rushed. For me it was worth it as I felt I was on the higher ground now as I personally paid for his time. I am no further with a diagnosis but it has encouraged me to change my lifestyle and enjoy life more. What ever the future will bring I will take in my stride. Good luck in your quest.
Catherine
Thank you Catherine,
Good luck to you to.
Hi Tom I was diagnosed with MS last may and initially went to my NHS doctor who told me I had 6-8 week wait for an MRI scan. I remembered I had Bupa medical care with work so got my 1st MRI privately which then lead to me being admitted to hospital for a 5day stay in that time I was diagnosed. My experience has shown me that going privately got me diagnosed quicker as some people wait a lot longer. My doctor also practises under NHS which I am now under as ongoing treatment is ridiculously expensive. Charlotte
Hi Tom, I was seeing a numpty neuro after two separate clinically significant episodes, & changes on scans only 8 months apart (after apparent CIS). He would not act on this, was dismissive, rude, indifferent, & pompous & I did not want to see him again…ever. I discovered the real MS specialist at the same NHS hospital also practices privately. I arranged to see her. Paid £200, but got a thorough exam the next day & she said she’d see me at the MS clinic on the NHS. I shouldn’t have had to do this, but it had the desired effect. Coincidentally the previous neuro is renowned for his failings. Not acceptable, but he’s still at the same hospital. Good luck & best wishes. Anne
Thank you everyone this is really helpful,
I think after seeing what she has to say on the 14th I will find out who the specialist is in the hospital and go form there.
Thank you guys and girls