advice on getting a private mri

[RusQuentsek]

hi
I had a bout of sciatica about 4 months ago and all of the pain has gone apart from the odd tweak. When i had it i had pain and cramp but no weakness or pins or numbness.
My right leg is still stiff and i get bouts of a cold feeling in my foot. What i would like is to get a private mri(with the symptoms i had i have no chance on the nhs) done so that i have and understanding of my back and what happened. I have read some of the horror stories that people have been thru and i would like to take precautionary measures. So what do i say to my GP to get this setup? I understand they cannot refuse to refer esp if i am paying. Any advise would be really great

 

[SUSAN B]

You could try contacting a local private hospital direct - I am not sure that your GP would refer you. My Dad recently had some minor surgery done at a private hospital - he simply phoned the hospital closest to him and asked for an appointment with an orthopaedic consultant. He was seen two weeks later and had surgery the following week. It cost thousands, but he is now pain free having put up with it for many years. You may find that following an appointment the consultant may not recommend an MRI if he decides that it is something that will resolve itself given time. Have you tried osteopathy or chiropractic?

 

[susan n]

I once organised an MRI of the head due to chronic headaches and neurologic dysfunction but the private hospital required a letter from my GP, The consultant took his cut for the private arrangement. did the MRI which gave no answers to the problems. I was left 700.00 bill and my GP adsvised against the MRI and the NHS neurologist who I was refered to ( 3 Months later ) was shocked that I was able to arrange a test which was not indicated !

Are you able to get a NHS referal to a specialist first. Neurologists are able to do a work up, often without the need for MRI / CT, etc

The MRI is exdpensive and needs to be analyised after the scan - who is going to do this !

t

 

[Jaitsu]

There is also the issue of a high proprortion of MRI scans being inconclusive, Ive had 2 and ended up with CT scan to find out the problem. I do know the resolution has improved in the last 7 years since I had mine but still wouldnt recommend unless some referral is in place.
your "diagnosis" is very general and you dont mention whether you had treatment or what happened to cause the problem initially. too little information limits the amount of advice people can offer.
regards BGFL

 

[Tom Mop]

Hi

i had a private MRI completed in Cheltenham - it's a charity and you pay around £220 for one part. You do have to be referred

 

[Sam Dooly]

yes, I too paid for an MRI in Cheltenham, £218, the cheltenham imaging centre 01242 535910--www.cobaltappeal.com. A full written report is provided by the radiologist and the scans are yours to keep to take to health practioners as necessary. The cost is reasonable as this is a not for profit company, as are other providers such as Nuffield. You do need a referral from your a heath practioner, either your GP or physio, osteopath etc, but just a scibbled note. If you explain you need this to get on with your life and it's causing stress I can't see why you wouldn't get a referral.

Anyway good luck

howie