Good rheumatologist in London please

[Mimma]

I have finally been allocated an appointment with a rheumatologist on the 30th of May. I ring everyday for cancellations but no joy so far. Please can someone recommend a good rheumatologist in London who specialises in Lupus. Realise I will need to go private.

Recommendations very welcome. Thank you in advance

[Lisalou19]

You have the London Bridge Lupus clinic. I paid privately for my first appointment, and then was referred back to the kind gentleman under the nhs. I found him from this site, Professor DCruz

X

[Mimma in reply to Lisalou19]

Thank you so much Lisalou19, I will call and book an appointment as soon as they open.

[Lisalou19 in reply to Mimma]

Let us know how you get on

Xx

[Mimma in reply to Lisalou19]

Will do - thanks again

[Mimma in reply to Lisalou19]

Lisalou19 - I did try to get Prof Cruz but his first available appointment was mid May. So took whaleroad’s advice and booked with Dr Kaul.

[Mimma]

Thank you whaleroad for the recommendation.

My current appointment is at St Mary’s Paddington - rheumatology dept.

[Mimma]

Just made an appointment with Dr Kaul (private) for the 5th of April. Just want to get this sorted sooner rather than later. Thanks again for your help and advice.

[Helsbels_]

How much is the private consultation? Do you have blood tests etc done before the consultation?

[Lisalou19 in reply to Helsbels_]

I paid £240, no bloods taken. Did a dry eye test and looked at my skin in depth.

With these appointments you need to take as much information with you as possible. I took all previous blood test results , photos, diary and a list of my symptoms. The specialist paid a lot of interest in my photos. You can have bloods done but costs a lot of money. If at the end of your consultation an immune disorder is suspected you can ask for them to write to your gp for a referral.

At the time I was already under a rheumatologist but wasn’t getting anywhere fast. So his letter to my gp asked for them to do a second opinion referral which was granted pretty sharpish x

[Helsbels_ in reply to Lisalou19]

Thank you. My stroke consultant referred me to the Rheumatologist, and I had my appointment today. She didn’t rule out Lupus and said she wants to see me again in 6 months. There wasn’t any positive indication of Lupus but lots of my symptoms seem to be pointing towards it. I previously had a positive result for Lupus Anticoagulant but this wasn’t shown on the blood test I had last week. On the symptoms diary... my sister used to use an app to keep track of a skin allergy. The app allowed you to take photos and diarise and make notes of symptoms. Do you know of anything similar that I can use? I tend to forget to update a paper diary. Thanks

[Lisalou19 in reply to Helsbels_]

I don’t use a digital diary myself, what computer, phone do you use?

I have an I phone and I had a look there are a number of free diary apps you can use x

[Mimma in reply to Helsbels_]

I’ve been told it’s £230 for the initial consultation and £205 for follow ups. I have already had my blood tests done so hopefully won’t need any more

[Lisalou19 in reply to Mimma]

Take your blood results with you. You’d be surprised the number of additional bloods they want to take. Unless your already diagnosed. Ask for a nhs referral after too if they believe they can help you xx

[Mimma in reply to Lisalou19]

Thank you Lisalou19 I am hoping for NHS follow ups

[Lisalou19 in reply to Mimma]

I said I can not afford to be here but no one is helping me. I believe when you go to a place like this, they are specialists that are very interested in each individual who presents with a possible autoimmune disease x

[JStro52]

I have also seen Prof D’Cruz at Guy’s and St Thomas’s but have been with Dr Michele Bombardieri at Mile End Hospital for a couple of years and am very happy with them. This is NHS, however, so maybe for after you’ve seen someone privately.

[soootired in reply to JStro52]

I too am under mile end hospital, but am under Dr dev pyne. Don't think I've seen your Michele Bombardieri. What day is your clinic? Mine is on Wednesday's. 😊

[Nikki246]

My local rheumatologist was useless so I asked to be referred to the Guys Hospital lupus unit and I was lucky enough to get Prof D'Cruz. I think I had to wait 2 months for the appointment but it was well worth it. I don't think I've ever had such a thorough examination in my life. He even did an ultrasound of my finger tips to look at the blood flow because of my Raynaud's. I now see one of his registrars who is just as good. I hope you get the help you need.x

[Mimma in reply to Nikki246]

Thank you Nikki246. Will keep you posted

[Wendy39]

You won’t be disappointed with Dr Kaul. I travel from Pembrokeshire to see him and have recommended him to others who have found him excellent too. Good luck.

[Mimma in reply to Wendy39]

Very reassuring Wendy39 - thanks