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Date: 16.02.2012
From: Marg

Subject: Paying to see a specialist

Can any one give me any idea how much it costs to see specialist. I have completely given up on my GP. He just keeps telling me it's my age.I have muscle and joint pain all over and I am finding life difficult at the moment.
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Date: 16.02.2012
From: suz

Subject: Re: Paying to see a specialist

Hi marg,

To see a specialist private at spire or buba cost about £150 or £195

dpends if they ask you to do xray maybe more, its best for you to ask your GP consistently its their JOB PART OF nhs as taxes are paid.
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Date: 16.02.2012
From: marlene

Subject: Re: Paying to see a specialist

Marg, you need to be more firm with your GP age!!! doesn't come into it. Do you have another Dr in your practise you could see?
There is no need for you to go private. Tell your GP you need to see some one that specialises in muscle and bone disorder. A Rhumetologist is who you need to see.
That is exactly how I was presenting when I was diagnosed with OA. Among other problems that go along with it. If your GP still refuses tell him politely it is your right to have a second opinion.
I was fobbed off for years!!! its this its that.
You know when your body is telling you something is wrong.
Marg i'm routing for you age they make me mad by the way I am 61 in a couple of weeks, I was in my 30s when it all started but i was unaware that this was what my real problem was.
Take Care, make an appointment and be firm, big hug XX
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Date: 21.02.2012
From: Marg

Subject: Re: Paying to see a specialist

Hi all went to see another GP this morning, still no luck at getting a referral to a specialist, was informed that because my last blood tests 6 months ago can back normal there is no indication of anything that needs investigation. It is just general wear and tear that comes on with age, even though I told him my original symptoms have got much worse and I now have others like really sore eyes my tinitus has got much worse and for some reason I keep getting a red rash on my face and have started with really bad headaches and some days the light is just to bright it hurts my eyes. Was told to come back in 6 months. Is it worth waiting or start saving?
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Date: 21.02.2012
From: Jeanette

Subject: Re: Paying to see a specialist

Marg sorry to hear your trouble. Sometimes wish they would just not go on blood tests. I went with to my GP with just red knuckles and tenderness and had tests for RA and Gout. It came back with RA but my DR could not believe I had RA with my normal results for inflammation (esr and csp) I may not have been sent to rheumatology with those reults had it not been that within that week of waiting for results my a joint swelled up. Maybe just ask for one more appt and argue that you can not always go on blood results. Plus have heard that you can have sero negative RA which does not show in blood. So would try once more with that arguement before you go down the line with private.
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Date: 21.02.2012
From: Colin

Subject: Re: Paying to see a specialist

Marg ,
what does the rash look like , some people get butterfly rash , if you need to google it

hope you feel bit better soon
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Date: 21.02.2012
From: Patricia

Subject: Re: Paying to see a specialist

Hi Marg,

I had just the same difficulties you are having with being referred :-( Nothing ever showed in my blood but I felt awful. Stiff muscles and joints, tiredness beyond belief etc. Then my index fingers started changing shape and my ankles swelled up. Went back to the Doc and they tested again. Still nothing showed up!!!! They diagnosed me with Osteoarthritis. How wrong they were. Just three months later almost every joint in my body was affected and I was completely debilitated in bed. Turned out, although nothing showed in my blood and still doesn't, that I have some form of inflammatory arthritis. Two years later and they are still struggling to control it so my advice is please don't give up. Keep pestering them until you get your referral. In the end I went privately (cost £125) because I was desperate but you shouldn't have to Marg. I think it is about 20% don't get the Rheumatoid Factor or Anti CCP in their blood (Sero Negative as Jeanette mentioned) but they still have RA.

Hope this helps.

Patricia x
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