I’ve been having the following symptoms for the past year or so:
FATIGUE
muscle twitches
Headaches
‘Jolts’ either side of my spine
Stiff aching muscles.
I was referred to a neurologist in February but I’m still waiting for an appointment and they said they have a 12 to 18 month waiting list! Has anyone paid to go private? If so how much did it cost for consultation and scans?
Thanks
I can’t help with your question but I feel your frustration, I have been waiting a year next month for my neurology appointment, 8 years suffering with symptoms. I hope you get some answers.
8 years is a long time to be suffering. I hope you get sorted soon x
£250 per consultation but from my experience it can take more consultations than you expected, so be prepared for that.
I had scans done on the NHS but it is also possible to get MRIs done privately. Just check exactly what needs scanning (brain or brain and spinal cord).
12-18 months is terrible.
A GP may be able to help you with some of your symptoms (eg pain) without having a final diagnosis. I was put on amitriptyline and that helped with pain.
Thank you. Not sure I can afford that and will have to wait. Was your NHS MRI after your private consultation then?
Thank you, I hope you also get sorted soon. I’ve just received an appointment with the neurologist after waiting 11 months for my referral.
Well 11 months is better than 18! There’s hope 
Good luck x
I have been prescribed amitryprilne for ibs but have been reluctant to take it as also on antidepressant and anti anxiety medications. I will give it a go. Did you take 10mg?
Yes, 10mg for the first week as a starting dose. It takes a bit of time to work (unlike eg paracetamol) so you need to give it a few days. I was told I could step up to 20mg then 30mg allowing a week on each dose before proceeding. But even at 10mg it did begin to help to reduce the pain. It can also make you a bit sleepy, which to me was a plus as I have problems with sleep.
I didn’t want to be on it for longer than necessary. When you think you might be ready to come off you need to cut doses as gradually as you can (I even split the little pills), taper it down over time: a sudden stop can cause problems.
So are you cured now if you were able to come off it? I took one last night and slept like a baby! It also seems to have helped with the muscle twitching a little
This was some years ago when I was in pain and awaiting neurology referral. I tried tapering off once and the pain came back. But then a month or so later I tried again and it was ok. It was just a matter of experimentation, but always being careful not to stop suddenly.
Good morning. The NHS wait in my area is December 2026!!! And that was back in June so most likely 2027 now.
I believe it’s around the £250 mark for a private consultation, the MRI will be most likely close to £500 per body part then extra if they want contrast. Then the follow up consultation with specialist. Horrendous! These are only
Ages but from reading on different sites I think generally that’s what they are xxx
An update on my referral (referred February this year). I received a text today asking if I would still need this appointment and obviously replied ‘yes’. Does anyone know how long after that text I might be seen? Thanks 