Private Healthcare

[ah1234]

Hi all,

I was just wondering if anyone had gone to a private health clinic in the UK for their PA?

Thinking of the best route to go down if my Dr refuses to up my injections.

(May go down SI if private doesn't work out).

[Caren77]

Hi Ah,

I had PA and the first time the NHS tested my bloods they told me I was just a little aneamic. I was told to carry on as normal. I took my horse up to the gallops about 5 days later and from the exertion and sweat I was almost blacking out when I got back off him. I went to see a specialist the next week, through private insurance, and they called me straight up within 24 hours saying they needed to see me urgently. I went in and they told me the reason I was cold, light headed, dizzy etc is cause my count was 4 when a normal count should be in the regaining of 12! From there I was ushered quickly for colonoscopy in the next few days which reveals I have crohns of the small intestine (ileum I think it's called) and I was given an iron infusions which made a world of difference in how I felt in the upcoming weeks. Now the point I'm trying to make is, I kept going to my doctor and complaining that I was tired (and I mean, TIRED!! - I'd have to go to the ladies room at about 2pm everyday and have a 20 minute power nap, sitting on the toilet. That is how bad things got. I am not unfit or massively overweight, I carry prob 10 pounds over my ideal weight, so I could do to lose a bit but my point is, I'm not massively unhealthy, I eat relatively well with greens and veggies etc. don't eat excessive meat or fatty foods. So my GP just kept fobbing me off with - eat better, get a better nights sleep, And my personal fav "it's a sign of the times! We are all tired!" So needless to say I raised this with my GP surgery cause I could've actually died with a blood count going lower! So do with that information what you will, but that was my experience. I do have to say though, other than the last time I went in for pain management - the NHS staff have been wonderful. This last time they would wait until I w as screaming in pain before giving me my next dose of painkillers, which I understood has to be no more within 4 hours, but I'd start petitioning for the drugs half an hour before I knew the last lot would wear off, which is around 4 hours for me - and the pain would start building and they would just ignore me basically. I got into such a state of pain I was drooling and slobbering everywhere and thinking of discharging myself to go and find Herione out on the streets to stop the pain. Ridiculous I know, but when you're in the kind of pain I was in you'd also start thinking like that - I do t even know where one would start trying to find painkillers not through the doctors! If you have the opportunity to go for private, be aware they still put you through the same route as all the other people on NHS. It's just the consultant can charge what he wants to and therefore you might get seen a little bit earlier! For me, private was essential

Take care

Caren

[ah1234 in reply to Caren77]

Thank you for your reply

A few days ago (before my injection) I couldn't work, wasn't sleeping, exhausted, couldn't string a sentence, faint and achey.

My gp said it was a virus, disputed it was my anemia and said to try and sleep more. Had my injection Friday and feel fantastic.

I'm going to go back when I feel the same as I did (which undoubtedly I will) but I have heard so much more positive things about private that thinking of going directly to them.

I have no complaint of the NHS, just the Drs not understanding how we feel!

(What made it worse is that I had more blood tests done and my B12 is in the normal range. Another reason for her to insist it isn't my PA)!

[Caren77]

Ah yes, the doctors know best! I have to say, after I had my iron infusion within a few days I felt like my old self again. I don't have any complaints really about the NHS - we are very fortunate to have it. However, they are seriously unstaffed and under financed which puts them all under so much pressure.

I really hope your doctor starts listening to you, rather than waiting till you are in dire straights! Good luck with it all. I found private staff no different to NHS staff. Take care. Caren

[specialk16]

Hi

Lots of people said to me once you go private NHS won't help you. That was total rubbish. It did the opposite.

So we did both. Did battle with the gp after we did medichecks on line testing so we had results to prove we had b12 d. Gp wasn't very helpful but did refer us to haemotologist. In meantime saw private gp with same results who didn't hestitate to set out treatment plan. Each apt cost us £50. Worth every penny. Haemotologist wrote to our NHS gp and told him private gp did the right treatment. we found the private gp to be so helpful and constantly gives us advice on all related matters that the NHS gp should deal with but doesn't and he doesn't charge us and we are usually there past our allocated time. I think we have managed to combine the two though I feel my private gp has restored our faith that someone will listen and care. Best of luck to you.

SpecialK xx

[ah1234 in reply to specialk16]

That's exactly what I want to happen! 😂

[specialk16 in reply to ah1234]

I hope it works out for you.

Xx