Is it worth going private

[Debbiecoops]

I have OA and RA currently injecting 15mg methotrexate. It's helping but not amazing.

My problem is getting an appointment with my rheumatologist. My arthritis is much worse since I last saw her . Which was around 12 months ago . She went on maternity leave , but has been back a while now . I have mainly seen the specialist nurse's and I've been happy with that. However I rang the rheumatology advice line a week ago . Left a message and they usually ring back within 2 working days. But I've had nothing , rang again yesterday. The answer phone message said please don't leave a message, we are too busy to return your calls. I managed to speak to my rheumatologist secretary and she said her earlier appt is Sept. I really feel like I need to be seen earlier than this , my husband things I should go for a private consultation. I 've never done that before and would welcome any advice. We're in Bristol 😁

[PFKAAde]

Hi Debbiecoops

If you can afford the £200 ish it would cost and your own rheumatologist does private care (and has appointments available), then it would save you some time. Whether it’s worth it depends on how important the money is to you and how much time it saves I guess.

Assuming you mean to see your own rheumatologist, but privately?

🙏🏻

[Debbiecoops in reply to PFKAAde]

Thanks for your reply , I hadn't thought about seeing my own rheumy on s private basis. I just assumed it would be a different one 🤔 . The thing that is bothering me the most is the pain and changes to my feet . I just want to know the extent of the arthritis there i.e. an x-ray etc . Even when I do see my rheumy I end up feeling like a nuisance to her

[PFKAAde in reply to Debbiecoops]

Yeah, as Mike says below any imaging and / or blood tests will cost potentially a lot more than just the initial consultation.

Also if you are seeing one rheumatologist who is (supposedly!) responsible for your treatment, it would get confusing if a different doctor started prescribing different meds. Not even sure they’d do it tbh.

If you aren’t happy with your current consultant, you could always get privately referred to a different one with a view to swapping on to their NHS list after the initial consultation, but I’d imagine you would have to swap rather than see both concurrently. All depends on where you live and if there are others that you are happy travelling to.

Rheumatologists are notorious for not looking at feet much (they aren’t included in the DAS 28 I think it is that they use to assess your current disease activity) so keep mentioning them and make sure they hear you (being our own vocal advocate is important sometimes!).

🙏🏻

[Debbiecoops in reply to PFKAAde]

Thank you for the advice, I think I need to be more proactive myself etc . Doesn't help that I don't have a regular doctor either. I always end up seeing someone different and they are quickly reading my notes as I walk in 🙄

[MikeG1944]

The only danger with seeing an expert privately is that if they send you for further examinations (X-rays, scans, etc.) it could prove to be extremely expensive. Unless you are very rich I would wait and pester your NHS dept daily until they get fed up with you and give you an appointment to get you off their backs.

[Debbiecoops in reply to MikeG1944]

Definitely not rich 😂😂 just fed up . Thanks for the advice, I will ring advice line again today 😁