My husband has had Peripheral Neuropathy for some years. His NHS physio suggested he may have Parkinsons instead/as well. He was due to get a routine follow-up appointment with his PN consultant but their computer systems were in process of being changed and he was told it could be some time before knowing when his appointment would be.
Because we were so worried we arranged to see a private consultant re the Parkinsons on Monday. He conducted various physical checks and declared (I checked with him twice on this) it was not Parkinsons - at least it was too early to make that connection. He did, however, notice my husband struggling with aspects of his mobility and has prescribed a medication (almost as an afterthought it seems). However, neither my husbandâs GP nor my husband has yet had the report from him and we canât remember what this drug is called. My husband thinks it began with an âSâ or a soft âCâ but it was not Seratonin.
The day after we were surprised to get an email notifying my husband of an appointment with the NHS consultant today, so off we went. We told him about the private session on Monday and he was definitely not pleased. In his view my husband now has two consultants (the private guy is a Professor, the NHS guy is plain Doctor) and needs to choose which one he is going to rely on. We hadnât seen it that way at all. We didnât have a choice of private consultant, he was the only Parkinsonâs specialist at our local private hospital.
I add that we have been happy with the medical care from the NHS doctor over the past 7 years but have sometimes found him to be quite snappy and condescending (not sure if that is the right word). He often âtalks over usâ (particularly me).
All that said, he did settle down and has advised my husband to go with the advice of the Professior for now and try this drug. That seems fair.
However, he was a tad scathing that the Professor had not suggested a DATscan, and advised that he would have considered that himself - and may still do that after a few weeks on the drug.
Our problem is that we are hoping to go on an expensive cruise holiday in January and have only 7 weeks before we pay the highly expensive balance. We need to have medical insurance in place before then or any cancellation will not be covered - and it is a fortune to lose.
So finally, does anyone know how quickly the NHS might arrange a DAT-scan, and if it isnât quick whether or not you think we should pay for a private scan, and risk the wrath of the NHS consultant yet again?
Thanks for anyone who might have a view.
Meg
