Private rheumatologist recommendations in London for possible psoriatic arthritis

[DonkeyKon]

A relative of mine is looking for a private rheumatologist in london.

worried about psoriatic arthritis.

they are willing to travel & have money so affording private care is not an issue. Any recommendations?

I've had a miserable time at the hands of the NHS. I've been going to my GP for 8 years for painful flare ups in my hands, predominantly my index fingers. I was diagnosed with Dupuytrens contracture but many of the 6 GPs I saw didn't think it would cause pain and swelling. I was referred for steroid jabs on two occasions with a 7 month waiting list both times and refused them when I got there because I wasn't in a flare up at that time - it's not like we can request to go once we are in a painful flare up!

Over those years I've also been to the GP for bowel disease, lower back pain and earlier this year for fatigue - I only realise now that I was virtually drawing them a diagram of fibromyalgia!

Alas the 6th GP felt it was definitely the Dupuytrens but finally referred me to a Rheumatologist and for X rays of my hands, had my x rays and all clear for arthritis. I saw the Rheumatologist April 14th, he says the Dupuytrens was still very mild, he suggested possible Palindromic Rheumatism but he wasn't sure so turn ordered ultrasound scans of my hands. Had those last Saturday so around a month and half later! Got the results and it was a chirpy report yesterday telling me again I was all clear for arthritis - I cried because I'm sat here with a flare up in both hands and know there's no Arthritis but what about the Rheumatism! Talking to people on line yesterday I realised I tick every box for Fibromyalgia and have a real suspicion thats what I may also be dealing with. Thing is my three month follow up with the Rheumatologist won't fall until around mid July and I haven't got several more months beyond that to waste of he wants another test. So I am ij contact with a private clinic in my town to move this along because it has to be auto immune conditions causing all this pain - the NHS stung me £20 for a naproxen prescription recently and they don't do anything for the pain either!

I need a diagnosis and a treatment plan now, the umming and arrring has gone on for 8 years and I need to get my role at work changed and my hours reduced because intense desk and computer work is exacerbating if, I started my current job in Feb 2023 and things have deteriorated since being trapped at a desk dealing with reporting telephone lines that I didn't even know where part of the job! I've struggled to write this week due to pain and swelling in my right hand.

Some people have far better GPs than others plus it's the long winded timescales trying to get help from the NHS that drives some of us to give and go private.

If they're able to go private, I'd look for a rheumatologist who has a particular interest in inflammatory arthritis or psoriatic arthritis, as early assessment and treatment can make a real difference.
It may also be worth asking their GP or dermatologist for a recommendation, as they often know the specialists with the most experience in this area. I also found Leafease has some useful information on inflammatory conditions and managing symptoms, which they might find helpful while waiting for an appointment.

I used to be with Professor Graham Hughes at the London Lupus Centre mentioned above. He’s since retired I think. I’m now with the NHS at Guys.

Why join this thread just to crusade? Its perfectly normal for people to ask for recommendations on an Internet forum. Thats recommendations, not sixthform opinions. jeez.

I dont want it to be funded more. I want it to be accountable for the money it leaks from every gap and a service that I do not have to use. Wind it down and let people who dont have insurance or can't afford healthcare use it and let everyone else choose what is best for them. You come across as a bit immature and unworldly, the NHS is a festering shithole that kills people.