Should I get a private Brain scan?

[QuacksInTheDark]

Just wondering what people’s experiences are with private brain scans; the procedure, cost etc, if it was worth it, did it help you get a diagnosis of a problem or reassure you that all is fine?
I’ve been having worsening memory problems, scatterbrained behaviour and just generally feel something is not right with me neurologically.

Have you tried the NHS?

In terms of going private, it would probably make sense to start with a consultation so the doctor can decide on the next steps. I think when we do a private appointment for something, it costs £200-ish in London.

I had an mri scan on private insurance. It wasn't pleasant but ruled out neurological disorders so was worth doing.

Is your GP not interested? Have you had blood tests to rule out B12 deficiency or thyroid issues? Could you be menopausal?

Thanks for replies, I have seen GP about 6 months ago now you mention it. Blood tests did indicate mild b12 deficiency but I haven’t had any treatment so far, lock down happened very soon after and I honestly totally forgot about it!

Don’t know how old you are, but those are also symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.

Get a full set of blood tests done first. That will rule out any deficiencies and save you money!

I’m late 30’s but I’ve had these symptoms for years probably since mid to late 20’s. Previous GP visits blood tests/ haven’t found any reason and it’s been put down to stress/depression at times. It’s getting slowly worse over the past few years and the most recent blood test is the only one that has ever come back with an anomaly. A bit of a mystery but it’s holding me back a lot in my personal and professional life and affecting my confidence. So frustrating.

Hi OP if you had mild b12 deficiency I would suggest getting this corrected before splashing out on private scans. Low B12 has a big impact on neurological function and is relatively easily rectified with injections. The cut off used for b12 levels is quite low on the blood test we use in the this country so even if you are just within ‘normal range’ some people can be really sensitive to the effects. Some people do not absorb b12 from their diet and if you follow a veggie/vegan diet it commonly leads to b12 deficiency. In the first instance, without knowing your full medical history, I would enquire about replacement and see if this helps.

I did one privately and nothing was found. I then had a second a few years later with the NHS, again nothing found, but ongoing problems and no diagnosis. Frankly probably a waste of (a lot of!) money! I would only have one again privately if the NHS consultant really wanted me to have one/they had a strong idea of what was wrong and there was some time pressure to getting a diagnosis (e.g. prompt treatment) but that the waiting list was very long. I am also going to say get full bloods done, including Vit D... and I am suffering from the same and it is peri in my case.... very common indeed. I was actually told by a neuro privately that he is overwhelmed by women in their 40's who think they might have early onset dementia and it was nearly always a combination of peri and lots of family stress, children (classic sandwich generation basically). That might reassure you.

I had an mri due to frequent dizziness to rule out anything serious (It wasn’t and just settled on it’s own). The brain scan was fine, I’d been worried about being claustrophobic but felt ok. They didn’t tell me in advance they would put a cannula in my arm in case I needed a dye, and explained it badly and said it was an injection so I didn’t know it was still in my arm and moved it, and they shouted ‘noooooo!’ at me! I’m squeamish and that freaked me for the first five mins.

It was on private cover

Um, you can look me up about this.

Before you freak yourself out, try looking up the symptoms of ADD or ADHD.

adhdclinic.co.uk/adhd-questionnaire/

www.rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/default-source/members/divisions/scotland/adhd_in_adultsfinal_guidelines_june2017.pdf?sfvrsn=40650449_2

add.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/adhd-questionnaire-ASRS111.pdf

You'd need a private referral to a neurologist (or referral to nhs neurologist) who could send you for an MRI brain and or CT depending on your symptoms and medical history. Scans need to be reviewed and reported on by a neuroradiologjst

Privately these things can be very expensive and 9/10 times the medic you see would be the same as on the NHS. Remember if you are then prescribed medication it wouldn't be an nhs one and only cost £9, could possibly cost a lot more.

I'd go back to GP and insist on a referral to neurology first. Scope out the waiting times once accepted then see how much an out patient appt and scan is privately.

In my local (north west) private hospital, to see a neurologist for 10 min new appointment is £200. No facility for mri let alone mri brain on site - you have to go to the local nhs hospital

I hope you're ok though xxx

Thank you for the replies they’re all really helpful.
Plan of action so far:
Back to GP for a full set of blood tests
Treatment for low b12
Read through the info provided by Gingernaut (thank you) and take it from there with a view to pushing for a Neuro referral if need be.
Thanks again everyone.

Treatment for low b12 is simply go to chemist and buy b12 vitamins, then take them. You can’t start that today.

*can start

I think I have some in the cupboard actually so I can start those today. Thanks for the memory jog.