Yesterday I hadn't heard of a physiatrist.

Now I have one who promises to jab my poor, arthritic knees with cortisone when I’m done with my antibiotics, all without seeing me, just my X-rays. I could be outta here in a week!

I heard that word for the first time on the SDMB. I think Ambivalid mentioned his physiatrist a couple of years ago or so, in a story about difficulty accessing his pain meds due to some sort of royal f**k-up. Could be wrong, though, and I’m too lazy to look.

Jimminy Christmas, having light at the end of the tunnel is making time drag. It took me what felt like two hour to pay my mortgage online because of a software glitch. Dinner was so bad that I’m tempted to transfer into the Wisconsin penal system–their answer to Loaf is a lump of frozen hash browns, American cheese, and bits of mystery meat. I almost picked a fight with my bro (no, not even close) friend (still stretching it) longtime acquaintance Colibri. I’m at loose ends and getting looser.

Are you having visitors? Maybe a snack could come in that way. If it’s ok with any dietary restrictions you may be on. I hope your tunnel isn’t too long and you get home soon. {{{Hugs}}}

Kids coming tomorrow. The dietary restrictions I’m on (sulfites and Red 40) are on my chart, but it’s good my sensitivity has reduced because nobody read it.

{{{ Hugs followed by a bit of grabass }}} {{{ SLAP }}} Ow!

You’re a bad, bad man! But I forgive you. Cause? well, reasons.

Heh - I’m sulfite sensitive too. Had some nasty reaction to them in some salads back in the late 70s / early 80s.

Did you know that many medications are preserved with sulfites? Tylenol 3 tablets are one (though I’ve never reacted to it in that); injectables are also often preserved with them. When I was in labor with Dweezil (hellish induced labor with a doctor whom I deeply regret only hitting once), I asked for pain meds. They were about to give me something when I insisted they check for sulfites. Yep, sulfites. The doctor tried arguing: “What will it do to you?” and I snarled “I don’t know, and I don’t think NOW is the time to find out!!”.

I’ve taken to bringing a printed page each time I see a doctor; lists of my regular meds on one side, and on the other side in VERY LARGE LETTERS proclaiming the sulfite sensitivity, and saying “Food reaction: severe asthma attack. Medication reaction: unknown”.

I actually saw a physiatrist once - during my second pregnancy, actually, when I developed pretty severe carpal tunnel. They work with you on functional stuff. I keep thinking I ought to go to see one again to learn how to walk without tripping and killing myself.

I think sulfites in an antibiotic caused Wife to die in the ER. She got better but watching her get CPR was almost as scary for me as it was for her.

Is this the same as what I’d call an orthopaedicist?