Private MRI? Is it worth it?

[YouCantTourniquetTheTaint]

I have herniated disks in my back, along with nerve damage and issues with balance, numbness and of course a hell of a lot of pain.

I have had two MRI's and I get told the same thing which is there is nothing that can be done? And 'here's a shit tonne of painkillers'.

I can't work full time, I also can't claim benefits as I'm not impaired enough

On my worst days I can't move, I end up wetting myself as I push as hard as I can to move. I have numbness inbetween my legs, it affects my sex life as I get nerve pain between my legs going towards my left hip.

Basically I'm living a half life, I'm in constant pain dispite a Butec patch, co-codamol, pregablin and ibuprofen.

Is it worth getting a private MRI and getting a second opinion? Will I be told the same thing? Am I clutching at straws? Do I need to face the fact that I exist to be in pain?

Is it possible to request copies of the MRI scans and take them to a private consultant for second opinion? As long as they are recent?

I will ask my dr at my next appointment, I had an MRI this summer that showed further damage. I was admitted and had it done because I wet myself in my sleep.

Yeah I would just take the most recent MRI to a private dr. The MRI scan itself won’t be any different for being done privately, what you need is a second opinion from someone with enough time/resources to give constructive advice.

Losing bladder control and numbness in the saddle area are red flags for cauda equina. Has this happened recently?

The neurosurgeon that looked at my 2nd mri that i had done, wasn't worried about CE, and said they'd only worry if I couldn't wee.

I'm 33, I'm stuck living with my dm (*i moved home when my dad died) because I can only (just about) work part time, and can't get any help. So I can't move on right now.

I wish there was a magic wand.

I used NHS and private via work when I was very ill last year. Generally private much faster and much keener to find a solution - NHS took forever and left me with lots of issues getting more and more ill. So yes worth a shot but a private MRI will be £££ so would get copy of old one and see what can do from that. Also lot of private insurance doesn't cover pre existing so take care if getting insurance, work one did as they paid extra.

You prob don't need a second MRI - you just need a second opinion.

If you want to do this privately, you can either ask your GP to refer or self-refer. If you have insurance, usually they want a GP referral. If you are self funding you can self refer.

If you know where you had your MRI done, generally the private secretary can work out how to access the images without you having to have hard copies.

Self funding an appointment costs approx £250-350 ish just for the appointment. Anything else then is ££££ but I have generally found consultants are v respectful of the fact you are self-funding and prob desperate with limited funds.

May also be worth going back to GP and asking to be referred to different hospital - I got a NHS referral to a private hospital and got very good treatment there on NHS, still delays but no so long and saw same doctor each time. Though I was left ill for so long on NHS I lost my job. Thankfully better now, annoying as was just long term antibiotics I needed.

My private treatment was in the thousands though for quite a few things.

OP the neurosurgeon’s advice is not what is on the NHS website. I know someone who had it and was diagnosed after losing control of bladder.

TMI ALERT

I get the signal that tells me that I need to wee, however I can't feel it coming out iyswim, also when wiping, if I wipe too hard I get the red hot polka nerve pain shooting up my clam.

I've definitely got issues there. My next review with my GP is at the end of Jan so from the sounds of it, it is worth asking for a 2nd opinion wether that be with the NHS or self funding.

I've been having issues with my back since I was 16, so 17 years, and its only in the past 4 years that it's been investigated. I can't help wondering if I had earlier investigations that I would have had a different outcome.

That sounds bloody awful. I had nerve pain until I had private injections in the slipped discs in my back. And repaired my lack of core (stomach muscles not knitted after childbirth. Can’t spell it!!!)

Maybe have a look on here to search for specialists near you and ask to be referred to one near you for a 2nd opinion

It's common for them to work both in nhs and private practice

www.spineuniverse.com/locate/specialists/uk

I've had an injection which has now worn off, but it did work for a couple of years. Ish.

I am going to do that, I will self refer if need be. But deffo need a second opinion.

Thabk you Foodie

And I have found a spinal surgeon, apparently one of the highest regarded, but we will see. A little travel but hopefully it'll be worth it.

I would be polite with your GP, but very specific in your request for a referral.
Maybe book a double appt so you can outline everything. Take notes with you if you need to
Good luck!

I'm sorry you are in so much pain. I herniated a disc and couldn't stand up straight for 6 months. I was due surgery but it recovered just before the op. I'd give it time over going for an op having seen the risks now and low success rates for this type of surgery.

It was so scary at the time and seemed like it would never end but I'm well know.

I'd ask for another injection though and for me diazepam in short courses helped too

They found the first herniated disks a couple of years ago and the second this summer. I've always been told that theres nothing that can be done. But i can't emagine living with this for another 40/50 years.

At my review I'm going to ask for a copy of my last MRI and make a private appointment to have an independent second opinion.