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Question about patient confidentiality re spinal surgeon in uk

Posted , 4 users are following.

david61865
david61865

Hello, 

Round about 5 years ago things got so bad I was " furniture walking " I was in to much pain to weight bear and could only manage a few steps and even then by holding on to things in the house to help me weight bear. This problem sort of crept up on me , looking back I was getting fatter and fatter, I thought it was my ham strings being tight etc but it quickly progressed so that I couldn't stand etc . Eventually I got taken in to hospital on the N.H.S. and received a caudal epidural which was excruciatingly painful. I was told it was a good sign , given gabbapentin  and naproxen and told to loose weight as that was crucial. 

Now 5 years later I have seen improvements due to the weight loss and exercise regeim and now want to consider returning to speak to a spinal surgeon. Heres the problem- I live alone no family near etc. I wasn't to keen on my NHS surgeon, I felt it was as quick as they could get me out etc. So given that I cant take an operation im thinking on paying for a private consultation at my local private hospital, as there is a good spinal surgeon there so just to get advice on management etc - but my NHS surgeon also has clinics at this private hospital. What id like to know is if it is possible to book a consultation with the surgeon I want and ask for complete confidentiality so that the NHS surgeon dosent get to know ? My reasons are, if say im advised to go back to the NHS for treatment I dont want to rub up the NHS surgeon the wrong way in case he is anyway involved in my care again.

Sorry for the long winded question id be grateful for any information

Thanks David

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • NannySGB
    NannySGB david61865

    Posted

    Hi David,

    My problems are remarkably similar to your own, in order not to be too long winded I wil say that mine started with a huge muscle spasm in the lumber region, Tried a number of things,I got to the stage where I could stand for about 5 minutes and walk for no more than 10 after which I had to lay down or sit with heat on my back to help with the pain. I decided to pay for private treatment because of the long NHS wait, I ended paying for an MRI scan and an unsuccessful operation.  I was then told well it must be something else!

    I then went to a rheumatologist private again who insisted on a bone scan. I then learnt that the operation should not have been done (there is another story there). Meanwhile I was transferred back to NHS and sent for physiotherapy by the original surgeon, this made things worse,

    so I am then discharged from No.1 surgeon.

    Now something else bad has happened to my Thorasic spine, I am going to see another private consultant this week, he actually is a colleague of No. 1 surgeon.  I am not worried about going back to the NHS but will insist with staying with No.2 surgeon,  You have rights,one of which is a second opinion,  although I could take the matter further I am to old to take the hassle, also I cannot afford to stay in the private sector.

    you will find a consultant will nearly always ask you if you have insurance m if you don't they will transfer you back to the NHS, you Will not be queue jumping, but your 1st consultation will be much longer than in the NHS.

    i my case I do not have endless money, but do have limited years in other words I am getting on a bit.

    i had the same medications as you and more, just remember YOU HAVE RIGHTS.

    Best of luck to you

    NannySGB

  • david61865
    david61865

    Posted

    Thanks Nannysgb,

    I recken the cost of this private consultation would be roughly £200. It would be worth that to avoid going back to gp then 3-4 months wait to see my original consultant on the NHS. It was just I wanted him to keep it confidential,if that was possible to avoid any embarrasement if that was poss , you know if say I turned up back inthe nhs and my original consultant might think "why did you go privately to another surgeon " Just weighing up my options etc before I decide what to do. If they cant be totally confidential i might go private with my original surgeon I had on the NHS id feel better informed I suppose.  

    As a sidethought nanny Ive heard that there are "enhancers " drugs that enhance the effects of gabapentin have you heard of this ?

  • NannySGB
    NannySGB david61865

    Posted

    Hi David

    Yes, I have paid £175, £200 and £250, worth every penny.  1.you see the consultant of your choice. 2. You get a out 1/2 hour instead of  10-15 minutes. 3. I have noticed you get treated very well.  What is your your health worth?

    best wishes NannySBB

  • NannySGB
    NannySGB david61865

    Posted

    Hi should have said in my experience, it is usually at the end of the consultation that the consultant asks if you have insurance to which I have always replied no, they the say would you like to revert to the NHS

    To which I always say would I be able to go on your waiting list?  They have never refused me.  I have always been honest as I am this week and told his secretary that my notes to an earlier consultation can be found with Mr ????s secretary or if you have been on the NHS give them your hospital number National Health number etc.  They will know you have seen a different specialist and are used to being asked for a second opinion. Don't be concerned they are used to it. It is your right, I asked my doctor the same question when I decided to go to I different specialist,would this somehow go against me.  She Replied absolutely not. patients do it all the time, do it and don't worry.

    The best of luck.NannySGB

    NannySGB

     

  • david61865
    david61865

    Posted

    Thanks nannysgb, a very informative answer and it has put my mind at rest a bit. you are correct when you say your health is more important etc . Thanks again .
  • NannySGB
    NannySGB david61865

    Posted

    Hi David

    My experience yesterday may be of help to you.  I saw a new consultant/surgeon and what a difference to my 1st consultant who is a colleague of yesterday's consultant, both at the same hospital.

    i do understand your nervousness of changing from one to the other (don't feel like that) yesterday at the end of a lengthy consultation, where No:1 consultants name was mentioned, only to do with my history, I said I am still on No1s patient list, and I appreciate you can't be on 2 Doctors list of the same disapline, please can you take over my back problems, he replied certainly.  There was absolutely no embarrassment on either side.  He has a plan of action for my condition and I left feeling "at last! I am on the right path""

    What a relief, go for it David.

    Good luck and Best wishes NannySGB

    • david61865
      david61865 NannySGB

      Posted

      Thank you NannySGB, Im making my mind up slowly. Even if I go to my original consultant and pay private my hope would be for better treatment. It was just I heard the other consultant was top notch etc. I have another couple of things to consider as well and they are the top notch consultant has now stopped working for the NHS and as I live alone with no family near I cant take any operation that would involve care needs after the operation. My plan was to pay the £200 for the best advice for conservative care i.e. Gabapentin and what else.....perhaps something that enhances the effects of Gabapentin. Im bashing on with excercise regime and that seems to be helping very slowley, so thats my plan so far, Also another factor is it seems to me that 1 spinal operation dosent seem to cure most people , from what I read its ongoing with more operations and even botched operations. The whole thing seems chancy so thats why for now im excercising and loosing weight and researching and asking questions probably will stick with management rather than going under the knife.    Sorry for the long winded reply NannySGB

  • NannySGB
    NannySGB david61865

    Posted

    David, I do appreciate your problems, you could try asking your GP to refer you to a different specialist for a second opinion, it is your right

    I think you, you are worrying to much about other people think rather than your health.

    It is good that you are trying to loose weight. That will help you as well as being as active as you can manage.  I am going to have some spinal injections soon.  He also suggested that if I were to buy Nordic Walking poles they are very helpful, there are one or two videos on YouTube which explain the benefits of them.

    I have ordered some off of Amazon, went for one with good reviews, one of the reviews a lady said how much they helped her husband with long term back problems.  They are not that expensive, just a bit more for you to think about.  You mention you are old! I am 80 years young!

    Keep positive and push on.  Very best wishes NannySGB

     

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