Tendonitis anyone??

I had tendonitis some years ago. By the time I got to see someone the pain was in my chest and back and I couldn't move my arm. There were red veins running from my hand right up my arm.

I ended up at A&E with a prescription for codeine and paracetemol and a glove to support my hand and wrist. I wasn't impressed but after two days I was almost fine, wore the glove for about another week I think. Certainly no one ever suggested steroids.

Quite a few years ago I developed tendonitis in my left arm after overusing it while kayaking. It was very painful and weak; I couldn't even pick up a coffee mug.

I was told to take an anti-inflammatory and basically not use it for about a month, so as not to irritate it further. I believe I was given a compression sleeve to wear. It did slowly get better. So time and medication, and protecting it are the only things I can recommend.

I find following medical advice on using prescribed pain relief and supports to be the best way of managing pain to recovery

Thank you for your replies. I’ve had it for 4 months now. I’m on Warfarin so not able to take anti inflammatory painkillers.

When I had this although the pain was in my arm the problem was actually coming from the rotator cuff in the shoulder causing tendonitis. I had a few sessions with my Physio and did the exercises he gave me. It did take a while and some perseverance to get better. Definitely try an Osteopath or Physio I am sure they will be able to help you.

I had tendonitis in my thumb. I had a steroid injection that worked, although 10 years later, I am getting the occasional recurrence.

M0nica

I had tendonitis in my thumb. I had a steroid injection that worked, although 10 years later, I am getting the occasional recurrence.

I had a trigger thumb which is similar . I had one steriod injection about a year ago but sadly it has come back . It rreally hurst if not supported but I am told the more injections you have the scar tissue gets worse and the injection is not pleasant in the first place. I will have to have it sometime though .

Grandyma

Thank you for your replies. I’ve had it for 4 months now. I’m on Warfarin so not able to take anti inflammatory painkillers.

Same here. I’d never used paracetemol regularly as advised until I fractured my shoulder and damaged tendons earlier this year. The physio and doc insisted I do this and they were right. Don’t wait until the pain is awful, keep in top of it. It’s not as helpful as non steroidal anti inflammatories but hey ho.
I was told I could use anti inflammatory creams ‘sensibly’ . Tiger balm is good

I've had it and the only solution was nurofen and rest.

Floradora9

M0nica

I had tendonitis in my thumb. I had a steroid injection that worked, although 10 years later, I am getting the occasional recurrence.

I had a trigger thumb which is similar . I had one steriod injection about a year ago but sadly it has come back . It rreally hurst if not supported but I am told the more injections you have the scar tissue gets worse and the injection is not pleasant in the first place. I will have to have it sometime though .

I wear a splint on my wrist and (sometimes) elbow when I sleep. I have 'trigger finger' in my little finger and tendonitis along the edge of my hand. Apparently the pain is coming from a damaged tendon in my elbow. I find it really helps.

PS. The splint isn't comfortable and it's hot in summer.

PPS. I can't take NSAIDs. People should check who should not take them.

I’m so grateful for all the suggestions. I will try a support and take the paracetamol more regularly. I’ve also been recommended to a local osteopath. I feel more hopeful that this isn’t just something else to “live with”. Thank you so much 😊

Replying to Grandyma: I've had it on and off over the past couple of years, and ended up with the physiotherapist at our surgery. He gave me some exercises to do with a stretchy band that really didn't help at all. I then had a steroid injection in the shoulder joint, and the results have been amazing. No more pain! Worth a try if you can see a physio.

meddijess I had the steroid injection in my shoulder 2 weeks ago but it hasn’t worked. It was definitely worth a try though.

Hello, try cryotherapy it's excellent for nerves and tissues or any pain..

I had tennis elbow, a type of tendonitis. I had treatment which included the sort of scan that pregnant women have, I can't remember what it was called. I then wore a strap just below the elbow which helps the tendons not stretch which helped an awful lot. I still wear it occasionally for gardening. So I guess it's wherever your pain is as to what is the most effective treatment.

I have tendonitis right now at the top of my leg and it is painful. I have been advised to take it easy for a while and rub on topical ibuprofen gel. Using it that way gets some anti inflammatory effect without its going via your stomach and the rest of your system, so might be possible for the OP. Worth getting advice on this.

I have it right now and the pain is unbearable at times. Drs are a waste of time.

Poor you, that sounds painful. I’ve had tendinitis in my hands and arms recently, saw a physio (not sure what an osteopath will do as that’s about bones isn’t it ?) who told me to rest from over exertion and gave me exercises. It took 6 months but they are no longer painful. It’s always hard to find that some things that come on suddenly (in my case some over enthusiastic gardening ) take ages to put right and very boring and frustrating as well as painful (kept me awake at night) . Perseverance and hope . Good luck .

I would add that the exercises did not seem to work at first - took weeks - I also used a lovely hemp based hand cream so who know that may have helped too !

Maybe try using the rubber exercise bands? I had similar for 3 months despite havingphysio. As a last resort I was given the bands and they helped within 2 weeks.
I still use them if I feel a twinge - although I am sure I should use them daily! Do buy the rubber ones, not plastic - which just stretch and snap rather than springing back into shape.

I’ve been wearing an upper arm support for a couple of days and it is helping. I managed to cook dinner yesterday albeit with a lot of assistance from my DH. I’m also taking paracetamol more regularly although I’m not sure it’s really helping. Any fellow sufferers you have my sympathy, it’s so painful!! I really appreciate all of your suggestions. 💐

I had it in both wrists. Would wake me up at night. I didn't suspect the statins, but when I stopped taking them because my cholesterol was good enough to do so, the pain gradually resolved.