Hope all goes well for you- and that it doesn't cost too much!

Hope it goes well for you - I had to go privately years ago,(pre-RA) days over a damaged Achilles tendon which had me crippled.It was worth every penny, as I was soon able to transfer to his NHS list for two lots of surgery.

Kathleen x

Well done, it is a shame that you've had to do this but it seems the most sensible decision.

Will say a BIG prayer and hope you get the treatment you so rightly deserve.

Much love,

Amanda

Well done Barbs im deply saddened ahd come to this but action needed
cartn emss about with ra can be so unpredicatble.
big prayers for your appointment to go fabulosy well and you get a evry detailed through assesment good idea tot ake a small list with u.
list of medications etc.
so u can focus on tellign docs what they will need to know.
so u ahd children at guys my goodness must feel such let down for u.

all very best do let us know how it al goes.
yes i did same and he put me onto nhs list.
once u feel ready a complaint to pals is much needed.
much lv melly

Well done you. I am glad you have decided to go down this route.

When I was first diagnosed with RA last March I saw a Consultant privately and he was brilliant in getting my treatment started. My health has deteriorated quite dramatically over the last few months and he referred me onto the NHS as he thinks I need anti-tnf's. I saw a Consultant on the NHS and then she went off sick. As my health was continuing to deteriorate I went back to see my original Consultant privately whilst I waited for a new NHS Consultant to take over my case. It has been worth every penny and he does not mind me chopping and changing between the NHS and private. The other good thing about private is that he sent me a copy of a letter he wrote to my GP after every appointment explaining about my health and his suggestions. I was then able to pass this on to my NHS Consultant. I think the best thing about being able to go private (if you can afford it) is that if you find yourself unwell, you can usually get an appointment rapidly privately and your subsequent appointments in my experience are not charged as much as your initial consultation.

Hopefully you will only need to see your Consultant the once privately, and he will be able to get you sorted.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you on Friday.

Jackie
xx

This is a sad reflection on our NHS but necessary for you Barbara. I hope that the help, advice and support that you need will be made open to you for free after this appointment. The very best of luck.

Eleanor x

Thank you everyone for your messages, its so good to have you all watching my back!!!
Up to now I have still had no contact from the nurses at all, so its been over a week from my original call, and on Friday I called again, and the specialist nurse has still not returned that call!!
I will definitely be getting onto PALS about this, its very disappointing, and makes you feel so worthless, that they cant even be bothered to call someone back who is in pain.
Hopefully I can get referred to a different consultant on the NHS, and have a better relationship with the team.
Will keep you updated.

How bloody awful is this - having to resort to going private. I wish you the best of luck of Friday Barbara and am glad you are going to take this up with PALS. Hope work isn't too hard on you tomorrow. Was it your hubby's appointment today?

julie

Thinking of you Barbie, try be positive, stress will make things worse, i'm thinking ~ Well done you! ~ because YOU have stuck at it and are making progress albeit slow, but surely.....
...and yes complaints need to be made.....
All the very best wishes for your appointment and for sorting things out with PALS too
love Liz xxxxx

Good luck for tomorrow!

Nina x