Private rheumatologist

[piggylovesgolf]

Hi everyone,

Back again, GP has referred hubby to a rheumatologist and he tried to see the one in question privately. Here in the North West of England (we are in Lancashire) there is no one who sees patients privately or at least not locally. Received a letter this morning from the NHS stating it will be 3 months before they can even discuss an appointment. Has anyone any experience of seeing a rheumatolgist and can anyone recommend a good one he could see privately?

Many thanks

[jinasc]

How far are you prepared to travel.

Have one in Morecambe Bay

[piggylovesgolf in reply to jinasc]

Hey we live 10 miles from there---just outside Lancaster

[piggylovesgolf in reply to piggylovesgolf]

Should have said hubby spoke to the receptionist but she said none of the rheumatologists saw anyone privately so assumed there was nothing local. Our GP knows this guy and recommended him but it will be a while before an NHS appointment

[jinasc in reply to piggylovesgolf]

Sent you a PM.

If he does not do private - how far you prepared to travel. I am assuming hubby has GCA.

[Liby57]

I saw Professor Robert Moots. privately. I waited so long to see my rheumatologist , I gave in to paying privately.

You can also have a video call with him if the distance is too far to travel.

topdoctors.co.uk/doctor/rob...

[piggylovesgolf in reply to Liby57]

thanks--see reply below

[Poll8]

Hi, I am in Sandbach, so not too far from you.I was in excruciating pain for 6 weeks and during that time could not get a face to face GP appt.

I decided to see a Rheumatologist privately, which has made me VERY unpopular with my GP surgery, but cannot praise her highly enough.

Dr. Pretty Shah, works out of Wilmslow. She saw me within 3 days of me calling!

I saw her privately for about 4 visits then she took me on as an NHS patient and now I see her once a month.

She listens...the mistake I made is that I have pushed to lower my pred. faster than most and although she was wary, she agreed that I could try it my way. OK..hands up..I was wrong and I'm about to increase my pred. dosage and come down slower. She was very patient and explained all the pro's and con's...so lesson learned...just listen to her and do as you're told(unlike me)

Good luck. Hope he gets the help you need soon

[piggylovesgolf]

Thanks Poll and Lib for your responses. Hub's GP was all for him seeing a rheumy so no problem there although I think he wants him to see rheumy as he wants to get him off the steroids if possible and the one he recommended and referred him to doesnt see private patients so it would involve a wait. Hubby has said he does not think he is nearly as bad as many of the people on this site (despite the fact that he actually thought he was going to die when it initially started--couldn't get out of bed etc, couldn't shave---but said the 1st does of pred was like a miracle and called himself Lazarus after that!!!) but he is quite mobile and his main symptom is the fatigue and loss of muscle --strength. Thank you both

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