Sore elbows

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woodbine
woodbine Non-active member Posts: 140
edited 19. Apr 2010, 14:08 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi everyone,

Anyone got any suggestions about this please?

I've got OA in lots of joints - fingers, knees, back - and have also been having problems with my elbows. The GP sent me for some physio, which helped, but as soon as the regular physio ends, it starts to come back again.
The physio says that she's not sure if it's directly related to my OA, or not, but that is seems to be similar to Tennis Elbow. She suggested that I see my GP again, but they have no appointments available until Friday. At the moment I'm finding lifting even fairly light things like a mug of tea painful, and squeezing action - such as squeezing a bottle of washing up liquid - is very painful too. My arm is very tender to touch just above the elbow too.
Though I know that lots of you are in far worse pain than I am, (I'm rarely in agony, only constant aching in a number of places) it's hard to cope with on top of the pain I already have in my knees and back. Does anyone else find the constant moderate aches and pains almost everywhere as draining to cope with as the severe pain in one joint when it's particularly playing up?

Has anyone else experienced this with their elbows please? Any suggestions on how to deal with it, or reduce the pain while waiting for my appointment greatly appreciated :)

Thanks for 'listening' :D

Naomi

Comments

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,425
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Naomi

    If it's like tennis elbow then it could be bursa inflamed.

    Till you can see the GP I ouwld try heat (wheatbags) and anit-inflamatories if you can take them. Rest if you can.

    Hope you get some answers soon.

    Love

    Toni xx
  • woodbon
    woodbon Non-active member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi I have problems with my ulner nerve which is on the elbow. If I touch it in the wrong place, its a bit like a mild knock on the elbow.
    Your GP may be able to tell you,or may send you for a nerve test.
    You may need an injection of steroid or something, to get it to settle down.
    Love Sue
  • abfab1963
    abfab1963 Non-active member Posts: 41
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Naomi

    I have a lot of bother with my elbows, mainly in my left elbow (and shoulder!) I find that the pain radiates down my forearm and is worse when lying in bed.

    My first Rheumy told me it was tennis elbow and advised me to wear an epicondylar clasp for a few weeks and rest the joint as much as possible. I did this and I didnt really think it made much difference. It is nearly impossible to rest an elbow joint!! :-)

    However, I mentioned this all to my GP and I was informed that tightly gripping onto wide things can aggravate elbow problems. Ah ha? I was always gripping tightly onto my bannister going up or downstairs. I stopped doing this and found it easier to lean against the wall going downstairs and, if need be, l crawl upstairs!!! Within about 2 weeks, my elbow was a lot better!

    This is what seems to have worked for me.....I hope your elbow is better soon.

    Take care

    Abfab
    xx
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Naomi,

    sorry you're having this problem with your elbows. :(

    My arther (PA) started in my elbow and I thought it was 'tennis elbow' to begin with too (but I stupidly then ignored it).

    The symptoms you describe are very similar... I eventually couldn't straighten the arm and that's what took me to the docs and then on to rheummy.

    It could be other things of course, like bursitis or the OA, so I think they would have to xray or do scans to see exactly what's going on especially if you've already had conservative treatments that haven't helped.

    sorry Naomi .I do hope you get some answers and proper help when you see the docs.

    Irisx

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