Hi I'm new, and also, advice please on "tennis elbow"

[greencolorpack]

Hi everyone, I'm Greencolorpack. I have three children. Two of my own and also my nephew who is living with us permanently. I decided I need some online advice about a couple of things so joined this site.

I have a problem of tennis elbow/possibly repetitive strain injury. I'm left handed and therefore tend to use my left arm a lot more than my right, and this is where I have the tennis elbow. I have constant pain, and keep my left arm stretched out as much as I can. When I bend at the elbow, it's sore. When I do pretty much anything, pick up the kettle, or a cup of tea even, the pain starts. It's not a roaring pain, more a dull background pain.

I went to the GP twice - the first one gave me some good ibuprofen pills and the pain disappeared. The second GP prescribed a different kind of pill, still Ibuprofen but they might as well be sweeties cos they're not doing anything at all. I don't know why cos I did tell the second GP that the first set of pills worked. Maybe there's a good reason she didn't give me the same pills twice. Maybe they are the same, they just come in different packaging and for some reason they're not getting near the pain any more.

First Doctor said "Rest" but I can't! I'm a busy mum. I'm also a violinist and I play various other instruments as well. I play an accordion. I have been trying not to pick up my accordion (heavy) with my left arm. I try sitting down with a hot water bottle and that is nice but the pain comes straight back. I can only sit around for so long before I have to get up and cook tea. And pick up heavy pots/pans etc. Sometimes I wish my arm was in a sling or cast to MAKE me stop using it, but I would only do that if I know it would actually help.

I would appreciate anyone who knows about this injury telling me what to do/what to ask the doctor for next.

My mum suffered from tennis elbow and uses a clasp on her arm when she plays. She's found as long as she uses it whenever she plays it doesn't give her any touble. However she started using it about 20-25 years ago so I've no idea if they still make them. You could try an elasticated bandage, as that can have some effect.

Thanks DeWe, I was thinking of getting a bandage for my arm, just at night to keep my arm straight.

I had a steroid injection into mine which was painful, although I am a bit of a baby about needles, but it made it much better. Only niggles from time to time now.

I used a special bandagy type affair worn below the elbow. It has pressure pad which pushes on the muscle below the elbow. Do a google search for tennis elbow support. I am Also a violinist and it helped me.

Also had the steroid injection twice (discomfort rather than pain). This sorted me out for about 9 months, then it just creeps back over the winter months. I've tried all sorts, rest, using a powerball to exercise, proper tennis elbow support strap (goes on forearm, below the elbow) and even 3 months of 1/2 glycerine patches (usually for angina), nothing has worked to any extent except the injection.

Also, I found that only 2 of the doctors at our practice could administer the injection, so it may be worth asking the receptionist who does as they may be the best judge for treatment.

As for me, the bugger is back, so another visit to my GP beckons