Hello,
I'm waiting for a rheumatology referral on the NHS, but I know it will take months due to Covid. In the meantime, my symptoms are getting worse (swollen fingers, aches and stiffness) and I'm worrying about permanent joint damage. My first noticeable symptoms were March 2020 (swollen fingers) and it took until December to have an ultrasound which confirmed arthritis. My blood tests are clear but I'm aware that it could be seronegative RA.
I'm looking into the possibility of paying for a private consultation, which is about £200 for 15 mins. I can just about afford that, but I'm just worried about costs spiralling with subsequent appointments. Can anyone talk me through their experiences of private consultations, what happened afterwards, do they chuck you out the second your 15 mins is up??