Has anyone been to a Physiatrist?

[marti]

I've been absolutely miserable for so long and have not known which doctor to see. They keep sending me around and around to each other with no results.

So I had another MRI of my thoracic spine which shows many, many bulging discs. I do not seen surgery but the neuro surgeon has referred me to a physiatrist.

They supposedly treat the whole patient. Not just bones or muscles. I'm going to meet him tomorrow and just wondered if anyone had any experience with these guys.

[Tia1]

I have not, but have heard others say that it was a good choice. I am considering seeing one also. I am tired of a doctor only looking at one body part at a time, even if they seem connected. Let us know how it goes.

[JerryD]

I was seeing a psychologist and it was somewhat cathartic to talk about my frustrations. I had to stop because I can't get to the appointments. I think there is something good about explaining your frustrations to a mental health professional. Good luck

[MarkLavelle]

I've been absolutely miserable for so long and have not known which doctor to see. They keep sending me around and around to each other with no results.

So I had another MRI of my thoracic spine which shows many, many bulging discs. I do not seen surgery but the neuro surgeon has referred me to a physiatrist.

They supposedly treat the whole patient. Not just bones or muscles. I'm going to meet him tomorrow and just wondered if anyone had any experience with these guys.

Marti,

I've been seeing a physiatrist for over ten years; mostly for lumbar disc problems, but also other 'musculoskeletal' issues.

I can't speak for all physiatrists (of course), but mine is very good at determining the source of my problems and prescribing the steps to recovery (if they are mainly musculoskeletal). He was also the doc that told me to go see a neuro when my sx could not be explained by 'mechanical' issues (which eventually led to my MS dx).

Don't expect a physiartist to solve all your problems, but a good one should at least help point you in the right direction.

http://www.aapmr.org/patients/aboutp...ysiatrist.aspx

[rdmc]

Hey Marti,

Sorry you're having more troubles. I see a physiatrist. I was referred to one when my oral baclofen didn't help my spasticity and I had lost my ROM. They were the ones that evaluated me for the pump. I see them now on a regular basis for tweeking the dose on the pump and refilling it.


The group I go to have been very responsive and just all around "nice" and "caring" doctors. There's a group, and if I need to be seen that day, they will accommodate me and fit me in even if my particular doc isn't in. They're all young or I'm just getting old.

[BobOP]

Hi

I currently am seeing a Physiatrist to mange my Baclofen Pump. Previously, I had seen 2 pain management dr's for my pump.

Dr Abel is an amazing Dr. I usually only see her , every 4 & 1/2 months, for my pump refill. I always brag about her pump refill procedure. I don't even feel the needle going in.

I wish you the best.

Take Care, Bob