Advice on going private for an MRI scan.

[FayeM567]

So for a while now i've been having headaches and seeing floaters/ spots of light, feeling slightly dizzy etc. I went to my Doctor this week to talk about my health in general and these symptoms in particular. I had the back of my eyes checked and all seemed to be fine. My GP said it was probably due to stress/anxiety and she wasn't too concerned with anything I'd said, but, if it continues I should come back and she'll refer me a Neurologist. While, i'm not massively anxious about these things right now, I am considering the possibility of jumping the gun and going private to see a Neurologist and have a MRI scan. I've recently come into some money, so I could pay and there's a facility close by that I could go to. I just think it would be easier to get myself checked out now and hopefully have my worries stopped than waiting to go back to the GP and the having a further wait to be referred on.

I was just wondering has anyone had any experience with going private for certain tests etc and if so what advice they could give about going about it? Thanks in advance!

[panic12]

Save your money is my advice, I have these symptoms caused by anxiety, how severe and often are the headaches

[FayeM567]

^ I've been getting the headaches pretty much every day recently. They're not very severe though.

[panic12]

Are they just annoying or do they hurt? Like do you have them all day so can't do much or are they barley noticeable?

[FayeM567]

I can still go about my day, they're normally a background annoyance. But, sometimes can get slightly painful.

[panic12]

Jut sounds like tension although if you think it would help then have the MRI

[DylanR]

I wish i was in your position . I am having alot of trouble speaking recently but they refused an MRI as i passed the eye exam and neurological questions thingy. I struggle to see how stress/anxiety can cause me to nearly lose my power of speech and slur all the time but apparently it Can. I can't afford to go private, which company are you thinking about? i heard Bupa are good.

[FayeM567]

^ Really Dylan? I would have thought with symptoms like that they would have given you an MRI just to be sure, my cousin got an MRI very quickly for a lump in her mouth (turned out to be a blocked gland). There's Bupa centre close to were I live were you can pay for certain tests etc.

[almamatters]

I think if you can afford it and for peace of mind then going private is a good idea. Waiting on the NHS can be a nightmare and if you are anything like me just adds to the anxiety. If you spend the money and nothing shows up, then at least you will feel reassured. I enquired about having a ultra sound privately then realised I couldn't afford it.

[DylanR]

yh i know , i can hardly speak most of the time but oh well , I'll just deal with it for the mean time

---------- Post added at 16:46 ---------- Previous post was at 16:43 ----------

btw i heard the cost is usually £800 - £2000 for an MRI . on the upper scale for a Brain Scan. So you'll probs have to pay about £1500-£2000