This is a long one, but please bear with me. I’ve got nowhere else to go!

So I’m 20 years old, and for the past few years I’ve had progressive joint and muscle pain. I was perfectly fine until I was 16 when I injured my back, and since then everything’s gone downhill. The injury healed normally, but since then it seems to flare up with inflammation every couple weeks or so and lasts a few days to a week. My hands were the next to go, I thought it was carpal tunnel at first, but it’s in both hands (I’m right handed), and I have pain in my pinkie and the outer part of my hand as well, which rules that out. Also my fingers are beginning to curve inwards and bulb out, if that makes sense My knees started acting up next. They just feel weak, kinda wobbly and they crack every time I bend them. Sometimes at night it feels like I have restless leg syndrome, but even moving around doesn’t help. Ankles are next. I injured them pretty bad a couple years ago, and I’m not sure if I broke or tore something, but if I’m on my feet too much they swell and get pretty painful. Elbows and shoulders after that. My shoulders feel like there’s heavy weights on them, and my elbows feel like I constantly have tennis elbow. Recently my entire body feels stiff, I’m starting to notice that the weather has an effect on how I feel. Dairy products, even calcium supplements trigger the pain. A lot of times my muscles feel like they’ve been strained, even though I’m usually in too much pain to do anything strenuous. I’m tired even after a full night’s sleep, and in the morning it seems like I have to force myself to get up. I was never this way!!

Here’s the thing- I’ve been tested for rheumatoid arthritis several times, and each time has come back negative. I’ve had tons of blood work done, and everything is always normal. I live in a small town, and every doctor I’ve been to tell me that it’s in my head, that it’s growing pains, one doctor even accused me of being a drug dealer trying to get pills to sell! They just don’t seemed concerned!

Has anyone ever had similar symptoms and gotten an accurate diagnosis? And would it be worth the long and agonizing six hour drive to see a fibromyalgia specialist or a rheumatologist? I just need an answer, 20 is too young to be feeling old! I know Yahoo Answers is the last place to ask for help concerning my health, and that no one on here can tell me exactly what it is, but I’ve got nothing else to lose. I’m at my wits end!!

Thank you for your help, and God bless!

Technorati Tags: ankles, arthritis, Arthritis Pain, blood work, calcium supplements, couple weeks, curve, dairy products, flare, growing pains, heavy weights, inflammation, knees, muscle pain, muscles, painful elbows, pinkie, restless leg syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, shoulders, tennis elbow

I got a coritsone injection for tennis elbow and got the "flare" side effect, its been 3 days and now finally starting to feel like it did before the shot. (I can at least bend my arm somewhat now) Not 100%. but at least it dont feel like it’s broke anymore. I swear that shot put me in soooooo much pain. I iced for 3 days and limited activity. But now, how long before the cortisone kicks in and helps my tennis elbow. Am I being impaitent or did this cortisone shot not do the trick?

Technorati Tags: cortisone, cortisone shot, flare, tennis elbow

I am having real PAIN after cortisone injection. I just got a cortisone shot yesterday afternoon for my tennis “elbow”, and within 1 hour my arm/elbow hurt way worse than before the shot.

24 hrs later it’s killing me! The pain in unbearable..Ive been icing it, taking vicodin and still no relief.

How long does this so called “cortisone flare” last. Ive got work to do, and I hurt so much! I wish the doc would have told me of possible side effects.. 5 weeks.. is the pain from the shot, or your original existing pain?>

Best Answer:

Technorati Tags: cortisone, cortisone shot, elbow, flare, Pain After Cortisone Injection, tennis, tennis elbow, vicodin, wks, Yesterday Afternoon

Had tennis elbow, supposidly ( i dont know if the doctor really knows what hes doin) Any way after about 8wks of dealing with it and wearing this arm band, he decides to give me a cortisone shot. HURT worse for 4 days, now day 5 the side effect"flare" is going away, but no relief from the cortisone for the original pain. Will it kick in? Any one else have tennis elbow and do PHYSICAL labor for a living? Thats the part that really sucks….
Thanks

Technorati Tags: arm band, cortisone, flare, tennis elbow

What can do about tendonitis/tennis elbow?  I have been lifting weights for upper body twice per week for about 2-3 years now, I lift heavy…most sets are 6-8 reps.

Lately, I have had serious elbow pain, particularly when my arm is bent. Is there a way to fix this problem aside from stopping lifting altogether?

Best Answer:

Is there something about my workout routine in particular that caused my problem? Too much pushing or pulling movement? Should I mix up the routine? Or is it just overuse in general? Seems to flare up most during chest exercises.

My routine is as follows, and has been the same for the entire 2-3 years that I’ve been lifting:

Chest:
40 pushups to warm up
Flat barbell bench press, 3 sets (one light warmup, two heavy)
15 degree incline dumbell press, 2 sets
30 degree incilne dumbell press, 2 sets
45 degree incline dumbell press, 2 sets

Lats:
Wide grip pull ups (palms facing out) to warm up
Wide grip pull ups with added weight, 2 sets
T-bar rows, 3 sets
Bent dumbbell rows, 2 sets

Shoulders:
Side lateral raises, 3 sets
Smith machine shoulder press, 3 sets
Upright rows, 3 sets
Shrugs, 2 sets

I don’t do any isolated arm exercises.

Technorati Tags: arm exercises, barbell bench press, degree incline, dumbbell rows, elbow pain, flare, flat barbell bench press, incline dumbell press, lats, lifting weights, palms, pull ups, pushups, shoulder press, shrugs, smith machine, t bar rows, Tendonitis Elbow, tennis elbow, ups, warmup, weightlifting, workout routine

We’ve all heard about tennis elbow, and many of us have suffered from it. In reality, it is a form of tendonitis brought on by the frequent, repetitive motions involved in playing tennis.

Tendonitis, however, is not limited to the elbow or arm. It can occur throughout the body. Any activity which places stress on the same tendon can cause that tendon to become inflamed and sore.

Click Here To Find An Effective Cure For Elbow Tendonitis

Chronic Tendonitis

Tendonitis can be either acute (i.e. a temporary flare up) or chronic (i.e. long lasting). When tendonitis keeps recurring, it is called chronic tendonitis.

Tendons are composed of elastic-like tissue which connects our muscles to our bones. As we age, tendons tend to lose their elasticity through normal wear and tear. From time to time, a tendon will break or tear and scar tissue forms in the healing process. Scar tissue is not as flexible as tendon tissue and frequently causes pain and inflammation with continued use and motion. Most often the areas affected are elbows, knees, ankles, shoulders and feet.

Obviously it’s these parts of our anatomy that see repeated use during the course of a normal day. As we continue placing strain on an injured tendon, it doesn’t have an opportunity to heal which, in turn, leads to chronic tendonitis.

Age is only one of the underlying causes of chronic tendonitis. Athletes who are highly trained and in superb condition can also suffer from chronic tendonitis. Again, it is the repetitive motions required by a variety of sports that cause the condition to erupt. For example, repeated motion of the golfer’s swing or a pitcher’s throwing arm in baseball over the course of time can cause weakness in the tissue and lead to inflammation of the muscles and tendons. This is why it’s so important to do stretching exercises and warm ups prior to strenuous activity.

Left untreated, things can only get worse. Both acute and chronic tendonitis sometimes will result in a tear or rupture of the tendon. In this case, the physician will probably prescribe surgery, but only after more conservative measures have failed.

Click Here To Find An Effective Cure For Elbow Tendonitis

Treating Chronic Tendonitis

Acute or chronic tendonitis can cause mild to severe pain. In its simplest and most conservative approach, treatment will involve analgesics such as ibuprofen and resting the affected area. Depending on the severity, your physician may conclude that you will benefit from an anti-inflammatory medication and may prescribe cortisone injections. This is an effective, and powerful anti-inflammatory medication that helps to reduce the pain and swelling and promote healing of tendonitis. Treatment may also include mild stretching exercises in order to keep the joints flexible.

Just a word of caution is in order. Corticosteroids can be injected but they do not come without risks. One of their side effects is that they can weaken the immune system or infection can appear at the injection site. Again, It is critical that the tendon be given time to heal or more serious tendon injury can occur. And, as mentioned, surgery may be required in cases of tears or ruptures in order to repair the damage and relieve the pain of chronic tendonitis.

By: Robert G. Knechtel -

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Related Information From The Blogosphere:

Treating Tendonitis And Elbow Injury

Tennis Elbow Home Cures
The magnetic tennis elbow brace is only one of these therapy devices. Why does magnetic therapy seem to work?

Natural Pain Relief for Tendonitis
Tendonitis can be very painful, and if you’re a chronic tendonitis sufferer, you’ll be looking for natural pain relief. The best pain relief is rest, until the tendon mends, but this is not always possible.

Robert G. Knechtel operates several websites, including TendonitisFacts.Com – Tendonitis Facts and Tips and PainReliefChronicles.Com – Exploring Pain Relief Options

Technorati Tags: ankles, bones, Elasticity, elbow tendonitis, elbows, epicondylitis treatment, flare, healing process, inflammation, knees, muscles, playing tennis, repetitive motions, Scar Tissue, shoulders, stress, Tendon Tissue, tendons, tennis elbow, tennis elbow rehabilitation