tendonitis?

Anyone had it/got it?

I've just found out I have it in both elbows and shoulders. Apparently a direct result of lugging a 27+ lb. baby around. I'm supposed to stop lifting, which, given the baby doesn't walk or climb yet (soon, we hope!), this is not going to happen. But I'm lifting him as little as possible.

I also can't take therapeutic aspirin or ibuprofen due to a blood condition.

Anyone had any success with any other treatment?

I have it in my right knee (after ACL reconstruction, but not from the patellar tendon, which the surgeon found to be congenitally short and narrow), my Achilles tendon and in my right thumb after carpal tunnel during pregnancy with Roisin.

I find heat is better than ice/cool packs for it, as tendons get poor circulation.

But I had to play around with it and still do.

Not carrying excess weight and having really good muscle structure around the effective joint is a big help as well.

I had it in my wrists just after having my DD and they hurt for a very long time. Like you from carrying her around and at the time she was just over 5lbs (I used to work in an office and not used to any lifting/carrying whatsoever!). Now she's almost 10 months old  and is almost walking! so I'm not carrying her as much as I used to and it's gone away. Really the only thing to do is try to rest from whatever action is causing the pain. Easier said than done, I know!

I second Expat's recommendation of heat.  I've got it in my left elbow and wrist.  It was really bad when I was in college, with the endless note taking and being in band, orchestra and various other small ensembles, so I had I think 3 cortisone injections over a period of a couple of years.  It did help significantly, but definitely go with heat and rest first, before exploring options like that.  Nowadays, when it flares up, hot water bottles and a brace for a day or two are my friend!

Heat. Also booze.

I've been struggling with it in one Achilles tendon since I first moved house a year and a half ago. Trying to stay off it seemed to make it stiffen up when I did walk. Trying to walk it off works great until I stop to rest. An herbalist had a look and recommended glucosamine, which I take, but...you know. Couldn't swear it does a thing.

The only thing that apparently works very well is a steroid injection into the area, but it's supposed to be a screamingly painful shot. I opted out.

Also booze.

I second this. One of the few things that seems to dull the pain...

I have bad tendonitis in both wrists (thanks, dissertation!) and have had injections in both. (Yes, screamingly painful, but worth it.) They won't do anymore because they're afraid of rupture. I'm supposed to go to physiotherapy, but it's hard to make arrangements for it in my schedule.

I also can't take aspirin (blood issues) or any NSAID (ulcer issues), but the topical anti-inflammatories have helped a bit. Not sure if you can use those, though.

Unfortunately, I'm on a steady diet of pain killers (which don't really work much anymore), and use voice recognition whenever possible.

Good luck.

Heat. Also booze.

I've been struggling with it in one Achilles tendon since I first moved house a year and a half ago. Trying to stay off it seemed to make it stiffen up when I did walk. Trying to walk it off works great until I stop to rest. An herbalist had a look and recommended glucosamine, which I take, but...you know. Couldn't swear it does a thing.

The only thing that apparently works very well is a steroid injection into the area, but it's supposed to be a screamingly painful shot. I opted out.

I've had a cortisone shot in both my shoulders.  I was fearful of it being painful due to what I had been told.  After the pain became unbearable, I decided to get the shots.  It didn't hurt any more than a little stick.

I have plantar fascaeitis, too.

I have to wear shoes with heels when it gets too bad.

I've had tendonitis in my right wrist from waiting tables. It was terribly painful. I had to take 6 weeks off work because I could barely lift anything (seriously, even a heavy glass was too much). I had to take it extremely easy and learn to use my left hand more, plus I wore a brace for several months. And when I went back to work, I had to work a different job that paid far less money because my wrist still hurt. It took about a year of "taking it easy" in order to feel normal again, and my wrist is still a bit weak so I have to be careful not to aggravate it. No medication of any kind helped me, other than the occasional Advil. Basically, you have to take it easy on whatever is causing the pain, and in your case, that seems pretty hard. Hope you can find a way to let it heal on its own, because the more you strain yourself, the more it will hurt. Good luck!