MRI HELP

[Handsclapping]

Has anyone ever paid for an MRI privately?? Especially a full body one??

I’ve had some horrible symptoms and concerning test results. I’ve visited my GP however referral waiting times in our area are insane right now and way above the recommended times. Whilst waiting for the referral i was considering going privately for the scan. It would need to be for several different areas in my body and it’s not much more expensive to just get a full body scan which the doctor said would give them a comprehensive view of everything in my entire body. Obviously it’s expensive but I’m fortunately in the position to be able to afford it.

the only thing holding me back is in case the scan picks up other things, like incidental findings. The doctor said that’s the only concern. Does anyone know if that type of thing happens often? Just don’t want to create more issues for myself than I already have.

has anyone ever had a full body mri or even just any private MRI?

I have recently had a whole spine MRI and paid privately because I literally couldn't be bothered waiting for the very long NHS queue.

The reports always say if there are incidental findings and I am not sure why you think incidental findings would cause you more issues. Do you have health anxiety? If you do I probably wouldn't have one if incidental findings that are irrelevant would cause anxiety. If you don't it is a great idea.

Yes, and I received a very comprehensive report which described exactly what was wrong with the body part I wanted scanned, and it also picked up another medical problem which I knew about but which my GP has completely ignored.
I don’t understand why you’d not want to know about other things going on? ( maybe I’ve misunderstood)

No I don’t have anxiety. I wasn’t too worried myself about incidental findings, it was only after the doctor mentioned it that I wondered about it. They just said that sometimes it can create more problems because issues which are actually harmless can get picked up and it’s like opening a can of worms. I just wasn’t sure whether incidental findings were actually common or not so thought I’d ask on here! Do you mind me asking how much you paid for the full body scan?

• and also which company you used?

I had private head mri, results within 3 days.
booked it and waited a week to. Was 350 private,
nothing wrong with me.

so glad I went it made my anxiety go!
just Google private mri near you make sure you get proper consultation etc

Just go for it if you can afford it. There might be incidental findings but it's up to you whether you follow up.

That’s all really helpful. I think I’m going to go ahead and book it. Anymore recommendations about places would be welcome!

Ime there will be incidental findings and, if you are trying to tie down a diagnosis, it may not be clear what is a incidental and what isn't for a while so its likely to lead to a lot of follow on tests. Also ime a huge number of things that initially look potentially serious can turn out to be nothing or at least inexplicable. In your situation I think I'd go for it.

I have a full body CAT scan every year due to having rare gene mutation and cancer at a relatively young age. I've had 5 so far, and nothing of concern has been picked up.

When you go looking for issues you may find them. If they are not causing a problem you then have the dilemma about whether or not to act on them.

I would only have investigations for a specific issue or under a national screening program