Is it worth going private for period problems?

[AnotherBloodyUsername]

Irrespective of the moral issue - which I am ignoring because this is my daughter and I am panicking

I honestly don't know if it would help - I am guessing the first consultant appt will just lead to a load of expensive tests so we'd have to wait to have them on the NHS anyway

Poor DD is so poorly - she generally has a high pain threshold and is in tears almost daily the GP has referred her but who knows how long that will take (she is just adult so I am unable to be assertive on her behalf - although she rang the doctor on Monday & requested medication & a referral so I am proud of her)

She has said if it gets worse she will have to go to A&E - she r=nearly passed out at college today

I can't answer if going private will help, but I emphasise with the problem. Is she on anything for it? Has she been referred to gynae?

Also, I don't get the moral issue?

She had an implant & insisted on it being taken out after about a year in the middle of a 9 week period - they gave her a contraceptive injection the same day

We are now in week 14 of the same period & had a scan last Sunday - they found "nothing sinister but her ovaries were covered in tiny cysts"

The GP arranged a referral to a gynae (letter to be collected on Monday) & 7 days of norethisterone which finishes on Sunday (not improved things much)

She isn't anaemic but her iron is very low, she is quite down & missing loads of her third year

If you pay you get quicker treatment

My DDs was only properly investigated (laparoscopy and Mirena dotted under GA) when we went private (sadly). Faffing around for years before. We went to Nuffield Hospital, Leeds. She has never looked back.

If Leeds is any use to you PM me and I’ll try to find the particularly sympathetic (female) surgeon’s name.

Luckily DD was covered by DH’s company insurance so we didn’t have to pay. It was a few years ago though so our price would be out of date.

There’s another thread running on this topic with several other serious cases of DDs with problems (and a fair few who just don’t get how it affects their lives).

I don't get the moral issue. Unless you mean 'queue jumping'
Healthcare is a 2-tier system like education and lots of other things; you pay your taxes and let the state provide or you pay your taxes and pay again to get faster treatment with someone of your choice at a time and place to suit.

Yes an appt with a gynae privately would help in so much as you would be seen sooner. BUT you need to choose the right person. Specialists have their own special areas.

It sounds as if the hormone cocktail she had has really messed her up. As she has an injection it's not something that can be reversed easily. They may need to give her other drugs.

If you see a consultant privately, they can refer you back to the NHS on their NHS list for surgery or anything expensive. You can make it clear you are seeing them only for a 2nd opinion and cannot fund long term or expensive treatment.

Yes queue jumping isn't something I'm proud of but this is my baby!

& how do I find such a person/consultant - I don't know at this stage exactly what is wrong - I mean I'm leaning towards Endometriosis or PCOS but let's be honest I don't have a clue!

Alll I know is that if it isn't sorted soon it could wreak her career and she has been working too hard to give in gracefully

Ask your GP to prescribe mefanamic acid. It's a strong anti inflammatory. It is amazing.

I had Trammadol (not officially prescribed, but given by a family doctor friend) and that worked in the same league of pain relief that mefanamic acid did for me. (I am by no means suggesting she should ask to be prescribed Trammadol as this is not a suitable drug to be given for period pain. But I was desperate one day and that is all we had at home.)

I really don't 'get' the moral dilemma. Consultants choose to work NHS only or privately only or a bit of both. If you don't take a private appt, someone else will and it doesn't free up the consultant to do NHS work that day. I've had private care for almost 40 years. Health care is a consumer market - as long as the 2-tier system exists, we all choose to use it or not.

Now to find someone you want. Presumably you live close to a biggish town or city? You will have private hospitals - Nuffield, Bupa, etc. Loads in London (if you want to go to London ask me for names.)
Look at the hospital websites, select area you want (gynaecology), search consultants on the site, look at their special interests and biography ( they may also have their own websites giving more info.)

As PP said, Mefanamic acid is a frequently prescribed drug for period pain and bleeding. Even Ibuprofen taken regularly can help.

Your GP will have to write a referral letter saying what your DDs history is BUT some consultants will take self referrals. best bet is to call their PA ( number on websites) and ask, and also ask about fees if you are self funding (not insurance) for the appt.

You wouldn’t really be queue jumping as you’d be in a separate queue if you see what I mean. The Drs who do private work have already allocated their time between NHS/Private and sometimes academia. They won’t be not seeing someone in the NHS because they’re seeing your daughter. The moral dilemma is surely for the doctors, some choose to only do NHS.

Don’t assume it’s PCOS or something with a name. My daughter’s investigations revealed all looked normal but the surgeon who did the laparoscopy could see a pool of blood waiting above her cervix for the next release. Inserting the mirena was a magic solution for her.

Why on earth are you hesitating. Of course it's worth going private, you can probably get an appointment with the consultant you want to see in the next couple of days. You'll get thorough testing done quickly without faffing about and you'll get the results much more quickly. Nobody will tell you to come back in a few weeks or fob you off. However, if you don't have insurance it will cost a lot of money.

In most cases private care is head and shoulders above what the same consultant will be able to offer in their NHS practice and that's pretty much purely because they've got the time to do so and aren't constrained by budget.

How do I find the right consultant to be referred to?

I will start looking tomorrow but I can't afford to waste money as we don't have insurance; poor DD is in a mess today, dizzy & lightheaded, load of pain

We have an appt with an out of hours because the pharmacist wouldn't sell her anything stronger - she is so miserable

Well the out of hours said no medication go & see your GP

It;s heartbreaking to see her normally so full of vitality and life - drooping around and being miserable

The initial consultation isn't that expensive it's the tests and possibly medication costs that add up . Lots of private hospitals do advertise their prices for actual procedures online so you could get a rough idea . They give you no idea of blood test costs though .

Going private (100%) would speed it up significantly and she will be more likely to get a proper diagnosis and treatment instead of being fobbed off. But it will be very expensive.

I went private for treatment for fibroids, my GP just didn't seem to take it seriously. I was really happy with that descision. I went to Nuffield, I reasearched the consultants and their specialities on the website and called to make an appointment with a fantastic consultant who was very sympathetic and knowledgable.
He was the first HCP who actualy took the time to listen to me and to fully explain my condition and options.
I was lucky enough to be covered by insurance as I did end up having surgery, but the initial consultation was about £150 which for me was worth it.
I find that a lot of GP don't take gynecological issues seriously, it's something we should just 'put up with' without realising how debilitating it can be. I hope your DD get the support she needs and feels better soon.

Laparoscopy and therapeutic procedures (including laser, diathermy and destruction e.g. endometriosis, adhesiolysis, tubal and ovarian surgery, +/-ureterolysis) £3,320

I've just printed that off our local private hospital website so onto that you need to add sundries such as blood , medication and the original consultation, which at this hospital is about £220 average . HTH .

Ask the GP or a local GP who to go to if you get the chance.

You asked how to find the right person to see.

I posted this, yesterday.

Now to find someone you want. Presumably you live close to a biggish town or city? You will have private hospitals - Nuffield, Bupa, etc. Loads in London (if you want to go to London ask me for names.)
Look at the hospital websites, select area you want (gynaecology), search consultants on the site, look at their special interests and biography ( they may also have their own websites giving more info.)

ow to find someone you want. Presumably you live close to a biggish town or city? You will have private hospitals - Nuffield, Bupa, etc. Loads in London (if you want to go to London ask me for names.. ) Look at the hospital websites, select area you want (gynaecology), search consultants on the site, look at their special interests and biography ( they may also have their own websites giving more info.)

An initial appt is likely to cost anything from £180 - £250.

If they suggest tests, ask how much each is. Ask if blood tests can be done via your GP. Ask if any surgery can be done by the consultant but on the NHS - they can often do this.

Paying for a private consultation is drfitley worthwhile. You can then have treatment on the NHS if you choose. Initial consultation usually £150-£250. I'm a general surgeon rather than gynaecologist but if you post where in the country you are I may well be able to give you some recommendations from personal experience.

I don't have much advice but I totally sympathise with your DD. I've recently been diagnosed with PCOS (I'm assuming this may be what she has given the tiny cysts on her ovaries) and her symptoms sound very much like mine.

The only time I'm pain and bleed free is when I'm on the Norethisterone so hopefully that relieves her symptoms. Although I'm now stuck in a rut as whenever I stop the Norethisterone, 4-5 days after stopping it I get the most intense bleeding and cramps that I physically can't live my daily life because I can't keep away from a toilet for 15-20 minutes! I feel like a Norethisterone addict now as I daren't give it up again knowing what follows!!

I agree with the others though, keep pushing if you feel you aren't being taken seriously. Hopefully the Gynae will be able to give better advice. If her iron is low have they prescribed her with Ferrus Fumerate/iron tablets? As for the pain, I find taking paracetamol and ibuprofen together with a hot water bottle brings some relief on my worst days!

I hope you and your DD get sorted soon OP.

Also look at your local ( chosen ) hospital and see what gynae consultants work there and then cross reference with local private providers , much easier to transfer back if it's the same person . Also they will have access to previous hospital files etc .