Wrist Pain: Private patient

I went to see the rheumatologist at the private hospital today.

He prescribed blood tests and a MRI scan. I asked him how much the scan would cost. He said between £200 & £700. I asked him about the difference between them. He did not give me a clear reply. So, I decided to go for the cheapest option. If that isn't good enough, I'll go for the most expensive. I reckon the extra cost of the cheapest + the more expensive is only 22% more than the most expensive. So, if I can get away with the cheapest, I will have saved several hundred pounds and if I can't I will only have paid 22% extra.

Wrist Pain: Private patience prerequisite

After 2.5 weeks of waiting and phoning, I still have received my referral to a NHS rheumatologist. There was no answer at the end of the phone. No doubt they are still on holiday.

So, I'll pay to see the same rheumatologist in a private hospital. The GP stay it might cost me £150. I phone up the private hospital and am told it will cost me £180 for a first appointment.

The receptionist helpfully tells me that an injection will cost £80. From how long it takes to give an injection, the doctor's hourly rate is about 5K!! Yes, that 's right. Of course they don't do many injections but still it is ridiculously high.

I still have to wait nearly 2 weeks to see him. It seems that in the private sector you pay to wait less than in the public sect0r and you know how long the wait is.

Wrist Pain: Off work

I'm off work today as I've had a pain in my wrist for the last week. My fingers seem partially locked and contracted and I can barely move my fingers or wrist.

I went to the doctor and he thought I might have been bitten by an insect which left a microscopic bite: i.e. too small too see. So I'm on antibiotics now.