Where can i get an MRI scan privately in London?!

[Bigkingdom]

So my 2 year old daughter has had ongoing issues. She has now developed a squint and cried in the morning that her head hurts. My GP is not taking me seriously and seems to fob me off, took her to A&E yesterday as she cried with headache in the morning and was told its because she is tired! Why isn’t anyone taking me seriously?!

I want her to have an MRI scan but cannot find anywhere that will do one for a child.

I am sorry you are having a hard time.
If your daughter is still unwell I would go back and camp out at a&e.
An mri scan is not what you need.
What you need is the medical professionals to explain why they aren’t worried.

Could you take her to an eye hospital? They could look into the squint And see the backs of the eyes. That could reassure you

Where will i find an eye hospital local to me? Can i just turn up to one?

What about an eye test. She might be very long sighted, which would cause eyestrain, headaches and a squint without obvious sight problems. GP should have suggested it. Most optometrists will be happy to do a (child friendly ) test on the NHS.

I’m sure she’s me eye hospitals have an a&e maybe worth a google. If not call the opticians they would see her

Meant I’m sure most eye hospitals...

If she has a squint she may be seeing double and this will (a) be distressing and tiring (b) might be very serious. You are quite right not to be fobbed off. Your DD needs to see a paediatric ophthalmologist ASAP.

Moorfieils eye hospital has an emergency department. That may be an option.
Moorfields

Two is around the age my squint kicked in. Ultimately had an eye patch for a time to train my eye and a surgery when I was three. Much more likely to be this, which is common enough in children, than anything more serious.

Step one is go to a normal optician- I'm not sure why that wouldn't be step one with an eye-related complaint, they'll be much more up on eye issues than a GP or emergency doctor. Then they could advise if it's necessary to go to an eye hospital.

You can't request an MRI because you aren't trained to interpret it. You need a private appt with a paediatrician who will take a history, examine her and then discuss what tests are appropriate. This may or may not include an MRI. At two she might need a general anaesthetic to lie still enough so it isn't a trivial thing to do. In London the first appt will be £200-300, any bloods £50-100 each and scans maybe £1000.

Why do you want an MRI scan? To see if she has a brain tumour?

Genuine question.

My daughter has a squint (now 9 but it came on at 2). 2 is the most typical age for them to appear. Go to a good optician- they can refer you to an orthoptist. Long sight is probably the cause - and if not the orthoptist can refer you on.

My daughter complained of a headache until she got her glasses a week later.

But I would also agree that if she has a squint she should get an NHS referral. Maybe see a second GP?

Also, our first step was to see an ophthalmologist privately (£200) who then referred us to an orthoptist having massively reassured us first. That is also an option.

If you are in London or near, Professor Hammond at St Thomas' is exceptional - and absolutely lovely!

Sorry - last post - they will probably need to put drops in her eyes to do the tests (at the orthoptist/opthalmologist? They sting a bit. It's no problem but I probably would have taken a treat with me had I known in advance! I did to all the subsequent eye drop appointments!

My DD had very long sight as a young child (puberty is thankfully shortening it). I did find specialist paediatric ophthalmologists far better at accurately assessing and prescribing.

The drops sting more than a bit. Be prepared.

Why do you think you're not being taken seriously? And why so fixated on a MRI brain? As per previous posters this is not a small undertaking (as almost certainly will require an anaesthetic to complete the scan) and no-one you have seen so far thinks this is necessary. Not getting what you want does not mean you haven't been taken seriously.

Could you see a private paediatrician if you are considering paying for private MRI scan?

The hospital of St John & St Elizabeth in St John’s Wood has a private walk in centre that sees kids from age 1. £100 for appointment, usually very quick to be seen. The doctors aren’t specialist paeds but they do have a separate paediatric dept.

The Portland has similar walk in service and you’ll be seen by a paediatrician but it’s £250 a pop.

Hope she gets well soon.

You cant go straight to MRI, you need a referral. You can pay privately to see an opthalmist or paediatrian and this may be your best bet. They will listen to you and can recommend/refer for further scans/testing if necessary (can refer back to NHS).

Luis Amaya, he is amazing!

www.guysandstthomasprivatehealthcare.co.uk/amaya-luis/

Thank you for all your advice and suggestions. Will jot those down in a mo.

The reason i want to rule out a brain tumour is because her squint has come on suddenly, as has the morning headache. Her behaviour has also changed a lot. She is a lot more whingy and doesn’t like to walk much anymore and when she does she trips over a lot.

I have booked an eye test for her on Thursday. I will then look into a private paediatrician.

Squints can come on suddenly, especially after a period of illness, being very tired or stressed.
If she is squinting, she won't be using both eyes together and that will make her spatial awareness worse and could make her trip over.
Hopefully, you'll get some answers on Thursday.

Make an appointment with an ophthalmologist as a first step. You could also see a neurologist privately. A private MRI with GA will set you back around £7,500. The UK hasn't got a good record for diagnosis times for brain tumours, so definitely don't assume that doctor knows best. My son had a brain tumour which was misdiagnosed for a year seeing various doctors. Mother knows best.

I can understand your concern OP. Whilst I am not medical, seeing an Optometrist is a good first step, probably better than seeing a GP tbh, I worked in an busy opticians practice for a number of years, Optoms are highly qualified to check both vision and eye health, and can refer if necessary. Optoms are often the first medical professionals to spot brain tumours and other urgent health issues and have saved many lives in the process

I agree with PP, I don’t think a private MRI on a child so young could be possible without sedation, MRI is very noisy, confined and would be very scary for a little one. Many adults struggle with them.

I hope everything is ok and you get the answers you need very soon.