To have a private brain MRI?

[aNonnyMouse1511]

I have had a headache for over 2 weeks.

It is at the back of my head on waking then travels to the top of my head and forehead where it sits all day. Painkillers don’t resolve it.

My GP did a neurological exam and was happy it was normal to sent me away again.

I go to sleep with it, it’s there if I wake in the night and it’s there when I wake in the morning.

I am now very anxious about it.

I’ve found somewhere local that does a private MRI for £200 and sends the results directly to your GP. I don’t want my GP to think I’m going behind their back, but I am really worried that there’s something seriously wrong with a headache that literally NEVER goes.

I'd recommend going to see a neurologist privately over a private MRI. My GP told me there was nothing wrong with me for five years. I eventually went private to see a neurologist. Saw him early Dec, referred back to his NHS list and had tests early Jan, diagnosis by the start of Feb, I e now been having treatment for nearly a year and would probably still be waiting for an initial consult on the NHS.

Neurologist can consider all possibilities not just things an MRI would pick up - mine was clear, I was diagnosed from lumbar puncture and nerve conductivity studies.

It is your health. I have been battling for two years for a diagnosis with a health issue and being put down by doctors and finally I have been proved right, unfortunately. Doctors aren't always right, they don't know everything. Don't take any chances, find out the cause of your headache. Be aware that other areas of the central nervous system (spinal column) could also be having an effect. Good luck and good health.

So actually, totally ignore the 3 most likely issues people have suggested, listen to those who had COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SYMPTOMS, and go ahead. I'm exasperated, but understand.

OK then, hope, whatever it is, it resolves soon.

Wow ! So many self declared doctors on here trying to persuade you not to have the MRI
My son was getting headaches, it was first diagnosed as mental health issues, stress etc
It was a brain tumour and he nearly died !
So 100% go for it
£200 is fuck all for peace of mind ( scuse the pun !)

@GrandmaSharksDentures my GP didn't even suggest an MRI for my back and I couldn't afford private
I rang a physio I had previously seen who told me how to get referred back to her and I asked her directly for an MRI
physio did 3 sessions, watched me walk in on the 4th and pulled some strings and I got an MRI the following week despite the fact she wasn't technically meant to refer me
I had 5hrs of emergency spinal surgery to prevent paralysis, I've never been so grateful to the physio for going above what she was meant to do!

@lborgia I am not ignoring any of those things. But my consultant suggested one due to another symptom I have which I am not sharing on here. That, combined with the headaches suggested it would be a good idea to make sure there’s nothing sinister going on. He was fully prepared to refer me for an NHS MRI within the next 4-6 weeks. So I am instead going private a) so I don’t have to wait. I am not good with waiting. And b) to release space for someone who can’t afford to go private and is reliant on the NHS.

Nobody is more hopeful that my MRI is clear than me :-)

I had this type of headache on a regular basis , not in UK so saw a neurologist immediately and had MRI etc. It was a huge revelation to discover it was migraines. I still get them now, about twice a year and pop an Imigran and wake up pain free. Definitely rule out nasty causes and then seek a diagnosis.

Have you checked if you get the MRI reported on by a radiologist in with the price of the scan?

Your GP most likely won’t have any background in interpreting an MRI head, so they’d only be able to work from an actual written report of the results.

Sorry, ignore my last comment. I see you’ve already been asked it and answered it several times.

Don't value your gps opinion over your health.