PRIVATE

[nanawilson]

Has anyone gone private for treatment !

[Deniseelk]

I did for diagnosis stage ( private insurance) as it was taking far too long under NHS together with being under a dreadful Macroskeletal specialist and constant NHS admin errors ( resulted in destruction of wrist) but once diagnosed I switched to NHS ( with same Rheumatologist) ready to start Benepali ( I don’t believe my insurer would cover me for this drug as it is long term so decision made). Under private it allowed far more thorough testing / much quicker with some of the test results provided whilst I waited. Also opened doors very quickly to referrals to other departments such as physio , pain clinic etc. As it is a life long condition I cannot see the benefit of private care after diagnosis stage. Maybe someone else could enlighten on this with their experience?

[nanawilson in reply to Deniseelk]

It would be more for surgery etc thanks for reply

[Sjhoney in reply to nanawilson]

Hi, I’ve just had a private consultation with an orthopaedic surgeon. I kind of wish I’d done it with initial diagnosis as it was a bit of a drawn out affair.

I’m going to have a knee replacement and there’s no way I would get NHS so I’m pleased with the outcome 😊

Sarah x

[RA2002 in reply to Deniseelk]

Yes, I quite agree with you - see my response to the original post below ...

[Campaigner]

Hi there. Yes I went private out of desperation. I was in such a state of pain and swelling I could not wait facing a 3 month wait to see a consultant.

I already had blood tests confirming acute RA and had X rays taken.

I was put on various doses of Prednisolone and had around 5 private appointments and was then handed back over to the NHS when lots of blood tests were needed at around £175 a time for Methotrexate treatment.

I really recommend this, if possible as the sooner treatment begins the better. The waiting time is barbaric considering the suffering.

Please let us know how you get on.

Lots of good wishes

[nanawilson in reply to Campaigner]

I’ve had r a for about 16 year I’m just so frustrated I’m on benepali methotrexate and sulfasalazine always struggle to be seen last consultation telling me my disease is under control I have been zero negative up until about 2 year ago as my bloods alaways seem FINE!! even tho I have

Damage erosions have had wrist fusion subtular fusion next month then possibly other wrist fused My g p thinks perhaps a consultation with a private rheumatologist but I don’t know if this will affect my benepali etc so my head is in a spin 🙈

[Frankiefocus]

I had to pay £200 for a private rheumatology consultant to diagnose me because my GP was not convinced I had RA. My knees were so imflammed I could hardly walk. It was money well spent as it got me ahead on the NHS waiting list as I had no insurance. GPs are not trained for rheumatology they are trained to keep you taking drugs.

[patsymay13]

Yes I went private because of the long wait for referral, I was seen within 2x weeks , then bounced back onto nhs with the same rheumatologist, otherwise I would have had a 7 month wait , it’s not right that we have to go down this road but I am pleased I did.😊

[nanawilson in reply to patsymay13]

Good for you thanks for reply x

[Lolabridge]

Yes I was in agony and went to GP back in May 2018. I could not wait several weeks for a referral to NHS so paid (£150 I think) to go private at The Spire for an appointment almost immediately with a Rheumatology consultant. He had been Head of the Rheumatology Department at my local NHS hospital and had recently retired from there. He thought RA most likely and asked my GP to arrange blood tests (so I did not have to pay for those). Next thing was I got offered an emergency appointment with NHS consultant who then confirmed diagnosis and ordered more tests.

I think someone on this forum said you can't get access to the biologic or biosimilar drugs unless you are in the NHS.

Good luck!

[nanawilson in reply to Lolabridge]

That is why I ask I am on biologics now I am thinking more for surgery thanks for reply x

[Lolabridge in reply to nanawilson]

Sorry I misunderstood. I’ve not needed surgery....yet!

[nanawilson in reply to Lolabridge]

No not at all I’ve made a new post as I hadn’t explained myself well 🙈 thanks for reply x

[nanawilson]

I wish I had when I first started out with all this good for you thanks for reply

[KittyJ]

I wouldn’t think going private for an operation will affect you getting Benepali as that’s prescribed through the NHS. They wouldn’t say you can’t have it because your op is private. Or am I getting the wrong end of the stick here? Do you have insurance and want to have it done on that ?

[nanawilson]

Well I thought I did but I’ve been offered appointment so quick through nhs I don’t think. I need too it is more for a rheumatologist as I’m not happy with the care I’ve been receiving lately thanks for reply

[Staycalmandcarryon]

Yes and best £200 I ever spent. I love the NHS but no way was I waiting 14 weeks for initial consultation. Got seen and treated quickly then referred back to NHS. Now in long term remission.

[nanawilson in reply to Staycalmandcarryon]

Brilliant nice to hear I achieved remission when I started benepali but I don’t think it’s working as well now. Long may yours last thanks for reply x

[Recorder500L]

I have gone private for the first consultation with a Consultant (not RA). I was very lucky in that he put me on the end of his list of private patients to do the small operation in a private hospital, but the NHS paid for it. Sometimes it does pay to pay for the first consultation. I have also gone private for the first consultation when I changed hospitals but am now seen as a NHS patient. Take Care.

[nanawilson in reply to Recorder500L]

Yes I just want more reassurance at the minute as I feel like my treatments aren’t helping like they were but it’s just so hard to be seen lately in the area I live . Thanks for reply x

[RA2002]

As with Deniseelk below, I saw a Rheumatology Consultant privately. I was in such pain and getting nowhere fast with the GP. Fairly soon, I was given the diagnosis of RA by the Consultant who suggested I then transfer to his NHS hospital list as they could do so much more for me. I have been a patient there since 2002 and cannot complain at all about the care and treatment. I would definitely recommend trying to find the funds to pay for a private consultation.

[Hidden]

My only experience of having an operation in a private hospital (sent by GP and paid for by the GP surgery) made me determined not to have any surgery in a private hospital ever again. The surgeon was the same one who did the op in the local NHS hospital. I was only sent to the private one because the NHS equipment was broken and might or might not be replaced eventually.

The problem was the nursing care after the op. I was left alone in a room, very drowsy, with a buzzer to press to call someone. I was attached to a machine that measure my blood pressure every 15 minutes. After inflating one time, it started to beep and, half asleep, I kept thinking somebody would come, but couldn't quite remember where the buzzer was. It beeped the whole 15 minutes until the next inflation. Fortunately, at that point it seemed to think I was ok.

My experience may sound trivial, but I remember that, some time afterwards, a woman had a baby in a grand London private hospital, her blood pressure dropped suddenly and dramatically and no-one was there checking on her. She died. From now on I only want operations in properly equipped NHS hospitals, where you come round after surgery in a room with plenty of people about to check on you.

[nanawilson in reply to Hidden]

Sorry about late reply since I put this on I’ve heard a few horror stories like this I’m sticking NHS too wish you well x