I have been waiting to see a neurologist on NHS so far for 10 weeks. The referral was marked as urgent by my GP but apparently now, that isn’t take account of . I have been told it could still be around 20 weeks to wait. I first went to my GP in July with sudden head tremors. Had a head MRI which came back clear. I have other pronounced symptoms that are cognitive and very unusual for me. I may pay privately to see a neurologist and if I’m going to pay… it will be tight financially… I’d like to see someone good. I live in Stratford Upon Avon but having researched cons. neurologists in Warwickshire, I’m not that impressed with reviews. I have no problem driving to other areas such as Oxford, even London… as this is important. I have been trawling the internet all morning to try to find an unbiased list somewhere. As my GP and myself have discussed MS as being a possibility, I would like to see someone who has MS as a special interest. Has anyone had personal experience of seeing someone they can recommend please?
I think the best place to start is to find out who is the MS specialist consultant neurologist (I’m assuming here that you and your GP suspect MS) in your local NHS Trust and find out where that person does private clinics locally and get seen there. That way you won’t be starting from scratch with a new person if/when you get referred back to his/her NHS list for further investigation/diagnosis/treatment. Honestly I wouldn’t pay too much attention to reviews. What matters is how you get on with the clinician, not how others do, and you won’t know that until you’ve met them. If you do have MS, you will be wanting to keep it local rather than be trekking across the country multiple times - and it will be multiple times - so best stay local from the start if at all possible.
With respect, I am able to make my own decisions regarding travel and am well aware of what will be involved. I only wanted someone to respond who had a recommendation. Not for general advice. Thank you anyway.
I’m no expert but I guess that it’s good that your MRI of the head came back clear. MS lesions can and do occur in the spine but I can’t imagine that these would cause cognitive issues - more likely bladder, bowel and limb problems ( familiar to many with MS). My original MRIs showed ‘quite a few lesions in my brain’ ( horrible to think that my brain is being eaten away but there you are).
Sorry but I’ve absolutely no recommendations on Neurologist in general but what sort of ‘specialism’ are you looking for ( if MS then you might find that all they will do is arrange for further and Private MRIs- not sure of the cost but they won’t be cheap).
I assume your GP has decided that the tremors are not caused by other conditions- essential tremor and the like or even Vitamin B deficiencies ?
I saw an NHS MS Neuro who did private work one day a week. 10 minute consultation with DMT Prescription was £250 seven years ago. After that I just went back into the NHS system. Otherwise there was an estimated 10 months waiting list.
Just to say that I no longer need any help as I have arranged things today that suit my particular needs.
No advice needed.