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.

I had a similar issue a couple of months ago, after three weeks of constant pain I went to A&E and had a scan (that showed no issue) and an injection used for migraines that immediately stopped the pain. Fingers crossed I have not had the same issue since. I can’t remember the name of the injection op, but they said it’s commonly used for migraines that are hormonally triggered.
my advice would be to get back to A&E and really push for a scan/treatment today!
if you still have no luck I would go ahead with the private scan!

Just adding that after a quick google I believe the injection was Sumatriptan. X

ok, well you can't at our private hospital!

Theres lots of private hospitals around, lots of private companies that just do scans at clinics. Some do have a preface that they want a GP referral and some dont. It depends where you go.

This is a good search engine, I dont know if they need GP referrals or not but included is a interpretation of the reuslts and you can add on a consultation

There are age limits, some do from 11 upwards but most are over 18.

https://uk.scan.com/searches/36823c3b-a7a7-479d-9dfb-046fa8792ff5

if you're going to spend cash on the problem you'd probably be better of spending it on seeing a person rather than ordering scans that might be looking at the wrong bit of body (a brain MR won't be focussing on the sinuses, and sinus imaging won't focus on the brain). If you saw an ENT surgeon they may be able to say either that it sounds just like sinus pain (which is not an unreasonable suggestion by the GP)/doesn't sound anything like sinuses/sounds like she needs 2nd line or longer course of treatment/ sounds like she needs to see neuro. Far more useful than getting a scan of possibly the wrong bit and still being no closer to a diagnosis.

You could see a private GP somewhere like Spire Hospitals who can refer you to a private consultant there. Will be much quicker and the Consultant will explain the results.

While you are waiting she could try a few days of over the counter decongestants, saline rinses, inhalating and sinus drainage massage. I often get into a state with my sinuses where they aren’t actively infected but also aren’t quite right. It happened to me recently with quite an acute headache for days and eventually a golfball-sized lump of mucus came out on saline rinsing and the headache immediately stopped.

I second this. I booked a private MRI with Vista Health (they have clinics & mobile units nationwide) after a bit of a weird turn which my NHS GP thought might have been a seizure. The wait list for a neurologist was long, and I was feeling super anxious and worrying myself sick that I had a brain tumour. I think I recall the MRI was around £350 and included an appointment with one of their GPs first to determine what the issue was, the scan itself, and a follow up with one of their GPs who explains the results. I had the scan done and results through within a few days of booking it. It’s worth shopping around as prices can vary (my local private hospital charges about £650 for example).

I personally wouldn’t book a CT scan unless an expert has advised you to have one, as you get a dose of radiation from a CT scan. My understanding though is that MRIs are the safer option.

I had this exact problem a few years ago. I had (I think) a CT scan, it showed that a had polyps in my sinus cavities. That’s what was causing the pain.

Unfort my daughter has suffered daily headaches for about 7 years, when she was younger she also used to get icepick mirgaines (like someone stabbing you in the head).
Since your daughter has pain on movement may I suggest she tries a cranial oesto who are trained in cranial bones etc, she may have something which can be fixed easily.
Next I would work out which of your local NHS neurologists also do private and have good reviews and book to see them. They should be able to narrow down what it could be and options and help you navigate the local NHS system.

They should be sending OPs daughter for a CT scan though given its thought to be sinusy. Thats how they'll see the inflammation in her pipes.

sorry, just seen you’ve already done this

Hi, I would actually take her to the optician if you’re not getting anywhere with GP. Sometimes neurological problems can be picked up through the eyes and if they have any concerns they will refer to hospital.

Ah ok, I didn’t realise a CT was needed for sinuses. In that case I would definitely get doctor advice before the scan, even if you still end up going private.

I’dask the gp for a referral to Sdec for symptoms of inter cranial hypertension

Then yes. If you can afford it somehow, pay for a private scan.

The bad news - four weeks is nothing in sinus-referral land sadly. Not unless it's affecting your vision... and even then.

I had a FESS in my early twenties - I am now late forties. So around late November 2025 I caught a horrible head/cold infection and it infected my heart too (I have LBBB anyway). Long story short - since then it's abundantly clear that my bone spurs have grown back (the reason for my operation in the first place) and I have had to go through so many hoops to get the secondary care referral. I have had three lots of mega antibiotics - hasn't touched it. Only thing that gives temporary relief is steroids with Sudafed Mucus stacked on top.

I have had an ECG, chest x-ray and tomorrow is a spiro test... only then will I be referred on to secondary care for what will most likely be a CT scan and/or a nasal endoscopy. And then the inevitable surgery. I have done it before, I can do it again, only last time it was so much quicker, this time it has almost taken a quarter of a year. It's the state of the chronically underfunded system that also involves people using services inappropriately. (Not saying that you are, but when people moan about the NHS in the general sphere they conveniently forget that people using it incorrectly is a massive drain).

So after tomorrow, hospital beckons and thank god and hurrah! At the point where I get the surgery notification then, depending on the duration, I will either go with the NHS or pay private because it is bloody miserable and of all the surgical procedures, FESS is very competitive.

In the meantime: sleeping sitting up (crap but lots of pillows), Sudafed (the mucus one is best for me because I am sure my head is full of gunk), extra painkillers for when the headache hits. Hot showers are a very temporary fix as they open up the airways.

I sympathise with her so much. I have had very temporary eye blindness twice in the last fortnight because of the pressure behind my left eyeball. It goes away again, but it's not fun. I am sure it won't come to that with her - it didn't with me the first time around - but definitely press for more appointments to work her way through the system to referral. I was told - because my GP is ace - that unless we do a, b and c then the hospital automatically reject the referral.

So I have done 'Crufts for Sinuses - jumping through the hoops' since then. I wish you all the best. Work hard with the NHS and once you have a consultant referral and know the outcome of that appointment then I think you make the choice about spending money on a private operation rather than a private scan earlier in the system - because often in the NHS they cannot accept a private scan, so it's wasted money.