To take Dd for a private scan

[ProbablyNotThisTime]

Dd has had head pain for 4 weeks, she's had a bout of viruses so we assumed it was that but it has persisted. She has described it as a sharp pain when she bends forward, moves, coughs etc. Shes been treated for sinus infection, sinus inflammation as a precaution as she didn't have all the symptoms but to rule it out. Ended up in A&E a couple of nights ago because the pain was so severe and they tried oxygen to see if it was a cluster headache and when that didn't work they just sent us home with nothing other than a vague mention of maybe referring to neurology. Shes not had a single hour without pain in almost a month. Gp isn’t being very helpful and A&E even less so. Thinking of maybe paying privately for a scan just to rule out anything sinister but Dh thinks we should go back to the gp again. We cant really afford the scan but I feel like we're playing a game of pass the hot potato woth the NHS not getting anywhere. Not even sure where to start with getting a private scan.

so you get the scan then what do you expect the outcome will be? if the same doctor you see cant see anything if there is nothing on the scan then what?

I presume if something is found you will be seen by a private doctor and will have to pay that?

Where is the headache? Have they ruled out muscle related issues? I believe that can cause quite severe headaches. If she spends a lot of time looking down at a screen, I think that can result in quite severe headaches.

I had a head MRI after GP made a referral under the 2ww cancer pathway. Referral to neurology made end of Friday, call on Monday to book me in on Tuesday. Results by the end of the day. It was clear. I would look up brain tumour symptoms and check if she has any, and then go back and vote these specifically. I was astonished at my referral - I thought I was anaemic and went to the GP to ask for blood test, but clearly part of my symptoms flagged the GP’s danger senses.

Thanks for replies, interesting to hear of similar issues and it still being sinuses as this was my first thought with her having the pain when bending forward etc but was concerned when she didn't have any drainage, face pain or fever and then treatment failed to help.
Im going to call the GP first thing this morn and hope to have her appointment brought forward, currently we are in for end of March as that was the earliest they could give us.
Muscle related issues haven't actually been mentioned so I will look into that.
Failing that I think I will push for a private MRI to speed up what I can and hopefully rule out anything sinister we may be missing.

I am so sorry that you and your daughter are going through this. Just know that it is almost totally pointless to get “a scan” without a specialist to request it and review the results. If the waiting lists for neurology are so long, there is genuinely nothing that the GP can do to expedite it. That isn’t the GP’s fault, and I assure you that they hate this system too. The NHS is set up extremely poorly for young and working age people to get adequate, timely treatment for a great deal of things. Sadly that’s illustrated above by someone else’s story.

If I was in your position, I would see a private neurologist who can make a specialist assessment and then request an MRI. Not all MRI heads are the same, so it’s really important here that she is seen by the right person who can assess her and request the best test. The neurologist will then be able to review the results (even if they are normal) and plan any further investigation or treatment.

I am so sorry that you’re going through this.

Can you keep a diary of when she has the pain, even if just for a week before you go back. Does it wake her in the night or does she wake with it in the morning. If it starts again later in the day note that also, when she is doing something that brings the pain on note that. I would also book an opticians appointment - they are excellent at being able to see to the back of the eye and see if there is any inflammation or intra cranial pressure that could be causing issues.

Good luck and keep pressing the GP, ask to see a different GP. Take your notes with you. If you cant get anywhere I would pay for an MRI personally, if (god forbid) there was anything serious then the NHS would then act on this.

Hi OP, your daughters symptoms remind me of a period in time when I suffered similarly, every time I moved my head it felt like my brain was crashing through my skull.

For me it was microgynon contraceptive pill that was causing it. Is your daughter on any hormonal contraception?

I would actually pay for a private MRI, if you can afford it. There are lots or private clinics who will include a session with a private GP afterwards to discuss the results of the scan. (I've just googled one, but there are lots, so find one that offers the service you require.)

It does sound like it could be related to sinuses, but I would want to rule out something requiring urgent intervention. (The number of parents I spoke with in various hospitals all saying their GP refused to take their child's illness seriously - and, as a result, the child was significantly sicker, with less chance of recovery - was shocking.). Even if it isn't serious, it clearly needs a more urgent review - a healthy 17 year old who hasn't had even 1 pain free hour in a month is not something to be casual about.

https://accessgp.co.uk/medical-imaging/mri-scan/

I would get the scan op. At least you know if there’s something serious there. You take that scan to A&E and ask them to deny treatment if there’s something serious in black and white.

Have u tried saline nose rinses?
I have struggled with my sinuses for over a year !!!
I could not for the life of me work out what the hell was going on I had nose blockages no drainage only on and off congestion and highly sensitive nose to smells ect and those excruciating headaches !
I even went as far as ripping all the carpets out of my house !
Any short story my husband insisted I Dona nasal rinse and some anti-inflammatory steroid spray ! In 2 weeks I have been cured !!! So I do this nasal rinse with a syringe with saline solution morning and night cool boiled water and spray every morning it might be worth giving it a go I think a couple of viruses started mine off and didn't realise !
Hope it is as simple as this x

Go back to your GP and ask them to request a scan first

you can't just book an MRI, even privately, you'll need a referral so either a GP or relevant consultant appointment first.

Hopefully it's just a migraine, but a constant headache for that long, especially worse with movement and Valsalva-type triggers like coughing and sneezing, definitely needs a proper look rather than just waiting it out. Sometimes that pattern can be linked to things like raised intracranial pressure or other structural causes, so it’s worth properly ruling those out. I’d probably go back to the GP and push for an urgent referral or scan, and if they keep brushing it off, a private MRI might at least give some peace of mind.

I don’t think in this case “a scan” will be enough you need an actual doctor (neurologist) to interpret for you

I’d go back to GP and ask for second opinion and make it clear you are happy to pay privately and see what they say. Certainly a private neurology referral is quite straightforward (I’ve had one) and around £200 but I imagine a scan would cost a lot more than that

This isn’t actually necessarily true. My mum had a private abdominal ultrasound scan because the GP wasn’t helping her at all and it was the private scan that found her bowel cancer. They then suggested an immediate referral which they made, I can’t remember if it was back to the GP for them to do or if they referred her directly, but the bottom line was the NHS immediately took over her care.

If not already done I suggest a dental check with x-ray. Referred dental pain is not uncommon.

I think like others have suggested first rule out if it could be anything she is taking either prescription meds or other drugs. If nothing then push the GP. If they aren't forthcoming then I would personally investigate the private route to rule out anything sinister as time could be of the essence.

I just booked an MRI privately.

You can but it would be worth seeing a neurologist, privately if needs be , first so that they can determine what sort of scan, make a referral and treatment plan. Scans can be £££ and an appointment considerably less and might save unnecessary delay and cost in longer term.

As others have said. If you cant get anywhere on the nhs, make an appointment with a private neurologist instead of just paying for a private MRI. If they suggest an mri then you may have to pay for that separately but they will know which tests would be best to do and what to look for in the results

That sounds very like sinus stuff, Im a martyr to mine and I wont sugar coat it but Ive had it for years. Ive had months of pain at a time and referrals to ENT take so long that by the time Im seen by them and they then order a scan and the scan takes ages, the current infection is cleared up, so Im then discharged. Only to be followed by then another bout of inflammation and round we go again.

Go back to the GP and make it clear how disabling this pain is. How constant it is. How it is interfering with her life. Your life. That you are all worried sick that it could be a tumour or a blockage. And need answers.

lay it on thick. Make a fuss. Ask GP if they can do an urgent referral to a neurologist please.
ask GP if you need to consider private route and tell them £££ is limited so need their steer on where best to spend it if NHS cannot help quickly.

also ask for a 2nd opinion. Make the same noise as above

did A&E not do any scans? What do their notes say? I’d ask GP to share. Or call A&E and ask for a copy.

and yes. Definitely get an urgent dental review including X-rays to rule out referred tooth pain.

You might even get a scan referral on nhs from a private consultation.

@ProbablyNotThisTime I’d be all over the Gp if this happened to me!

however in parallel I’d book a private one, and have done so for me personally

they are more accessible than what they used to be and much cheaper ; the one I booked was in the private part of an nhs hospital they did it same day, gave me a report and an outcome that my Gp acted on

Of course you can book a private scan, you just call a private company and arrange it! I did exactly this for weeks ago. Nonsense to suggest that you can’t.