Hi I am a 37 year old female. I have had symptoms on and off for over two years. I was sent to the emergency eye hospital in 2014 they recommended neurology appointment. Never came through. GP kept saying waiting for paperwork from them. Meanwhile symptoms coming back and getting worse. became increasingly more house bound. Moved GPs in January this year.
Had eye appointment at specsavers, last week, eyesight perfect, failed field vision test, still having double blurred vision in right eye, she said something about problem with optic nerve, I explained to her about the past two years and she sent off a referral to the GP saying I needed to see neurology urgently.
I went to GP Friday showed her referral from optician which they had received, I had also taken a list of my symptoms with a timeline and a rough drawing of where and when they symptoms where. She asked me three times what i thought it was, I said I dont know. ( I have a high suspicion the symptoms have been MS but I dont know), She tested my memory and reflexes. didnt say whether they were ok or not.
Shes talking to the secretary Monday and sending off a referral. Its taken two years but I am finally being referred to neurology.
I looked on the NHS page and it says about a 16 week wait in my area. Does anyone know how long they have waited and how long to wait for any tests if sent on for example MRIs or lumbar punctures etc?. Any advice for a first neurology appointment?
Thank you for reading this and any help and support. Emma x
I hope that your patience to date is rewarded by a quick referral. Sorry, I have no idea about waiting times for a new referral these days. You are right that it tends to be a waiting game thereafter, but it will surely be a relief to you to be in the system once your get your appointment date, even if there turns out to be more tests and more waiting ahead.
Thank you Alison for the reply. yes its been a relief for me this weekend as i’ve realised I am finally being referred. I can see it being a long wait for things but at least its a step forward. I am thinking it might not be until august for the appointment but the optician and doctor both said urgent and in the near future so i dont know if that will be quicker. Emma x
If it’s an urgent referral you should get seen quicker than the time stated on the hospital website which tends to be for routine referrals. I haven’t been diagnosed, I’m going through tests for ‘suspected MS’ (although fully aware it may not turn out ot be MS). I had an urgent referral to the neurologist last year and it was around 5-6 weeks before I saw the doctor, but this may vary from hospital to hospital. My initial symptoms were mobility related with eye problems and fatigue.
Just to prepare you - it’s unlikely you’ll get any quick answers. I’m not much further forward in terms of answers, but I have every confidence in my neurologist and so feel sure that if there is anything to be found, they are competent and thorough. I’m also under orthoptics for my double vision - I was referred there by opthalmology - but they’re just keeping an eye on things as seem to think my eye problems are related to the neuorlogy issues. The good thing is you’re getting the neurology referral and they’ll be able to thoroughly assess you.
I hope you get your appointment date soon and wish you all the best.
All them years ago my GP sent me to eye casualty in the Royal Hosp in Belfast and they diagnosed optic neuritis and referred me to neurology - then came the diagnosis of MS…
I woke up this morning, after last night I felt the numbness and pins and needles on my face hands and feet start and the loss of bladder, woke up and my vision in my right eye had totally gone. like looking through dense fog took several minutes to go to double vision and blurred vision. that was scary. I hope this appointment comes through soon x
I waited around 6 weeks for my appointmet to come through to see a neurogolist then around another couple of weeks after that to have an MRI on head and back of neck. All of mine were clear now a year later Ive been referred to see a rheumatlogist which is a 9 week wait for my appointment. Hope you feel better soon.
Thank you. I’ve not had a letter to book yet, the doctor was going to ask the secretary to send the referral in Monday. I dont know how long that process takes. I’ve got blood tests at the doctors tomorrow, so I will ask if its been sent and for a copy of it if it has. x