Private MRI and NHS follow up?

[Jo19899]

Hello

I have long term back issues and I have been paying for private physio and osteopath over the past year.

My symptoms have become much worse (pins needles and numbness) so I contacted my GP. They didn't feel I qualified for MRI and offered NHS physio and counselling for pain rather than actual pain relief.

I saw a private GP, then had a private MRI which should multiple issues, spinal stenosis, trapped nerves, disc herniation etc.

The GP recommended more physio and medication but then steroid injections if no improvement and surgery as a last resort.

My question is, should the injections or surgery be available the NHS? I can't afford private injections or surgery and feel the NHS GP dismissed my symptoms on a telephone appointment call and deemed them not worthy of further investigation. I am not sure what to do next.

Has anyone else had a similar experience of having to pay for private MRI and not getting good NHS support?

Thanks

Can you afford to see a spinal consultant privately? Usually around £250

@stressedespresso Yes, seeing an orthopaedic consultant next week. I am expecting them to concur with private GP verdict of physio, meds, injections and worst case scenario surgery in that order.

If this is the case and given NHS GP deemed a referral unnecessary I was wondering how I would bat this back to NHS if I needed injections or possibly surgery as they are very expensive.

Ask when you see the private orthopaedic consultant, they should know how to refer it back to the NHS if you need treatment.

I'd change GP's or at least see someone else at your practice. The numbness etc is a red flag and as the MRI showed, you have stenosis, trapped nerves and disc herniation. None of which will be cured by physio!
I'm assuming by injections your mean steroid ones? I don't know about for the spine, but in other areas (hips/knees) its generally only suggested to have 2 injections and when they have worn off (or often don't work in the first place) you have surgery. Mother in law had 2 lots is now waiting for the knee replacement- all on NHS.

DH had similar years ago. Lower back pains, numbness in his leg and a very dismissive GP. Prescribed all sorts and then gave him strong codeine meds- which DH didn't want to take. Told him to swim and have physio. DH was in alot of pain, could barely walk and yet still no scans. His company had just started offering private healthcare. He had an MRI and had surgery 2 weeks later for a herniated disc. He said the relief was instant as soon as he woke up. He was up out of bed that day and has never had pain or issues ever since.

I hope you get some relief soon, but I'd personally be pushing for surgery- even if JUST asking to go on the waiting list whilst you continue doing the other things.

spinal stenosis, trapped nerves, disc herniation etc.
Yes I have all those, together with pain and numbness. I was told surgery as a last resort and physio first. I have seen some improvement with physio but it's a recurring problem and it took about a year to improve. You should have been told red flag symptoms and what to do if you lose sensation / cauda equina syndrome.
Do you actually want surgery?

The consultant will easily be able to refer you onto their NHS list for further treatment, it’s a very common thing and lots of people do it. All you need to do is ask

@Pritas No, I want to avoid surgery as much as possible but don't seem to be getting anywhere with the physio/osteo I have had. That said, at least they can work from an actual MRI now rather than guess!
Are your symptoms much better now? What drugs/treatment did you take whilst having treatment? I have just started 10mg Amitriptyline but it is early days.

Yes my physio refused to do anything without an MRI as he said it was too risky when he didn't know the exact diagnosis.
I have other health conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Didn't take any extra drugs for pain relief.
My symptoms are much better but recur occasionally. I now know how to deal with them and what moves help. Mainly opening up the spinal area. Personally I would never trust an osteopath, always a proper physiotherapist.

My spinal consultant has always said that this is a sign of a bad physio and MRIs are not needed unless surgery/injections are being considered - they should be able to make a reasonably accurate diagnosis and risk assess for red flags via examination alone.

@stressedespresso I have osteoporosis and multiple other health conditions so he wanted to rule out anything more serious. His assessment pre scan proved accurate though.

Thanks all for your responses and @JC03745 I took your good advice and managed to eventually get a different (and excellent) GP at the same practice who saw me face to face and referred me as high priority.

I am also paying for a private consultant as a follow up to discuss my MRI results to get an idea of the way forward. I have no idea how long the NHS referral will take but hopefully when it comes through it will not be with the same private consultant as that might be a little awkward!

Don’t worry about mixing private/NHS - the consultants are well used to people doing it and it’s not a problem in their eyes whatsoever. They understand just like everyone else how hard it is to get seen these days