Tendon Issues Are Killing Me! !HELP!!

[Talon]

Hello everyone. Here's my problem...
For the past year I've had pain and severe stiffness in my tendons. The pain originally started in my left elbow while lifting at the gym. Nothing too heavy just a basic full body workout. I went to my dr. he's an orthopedic surgeon, he advised it was overuse issues and to take some time off. I did that but ended up having elbow surgery to remove scar tissue after a few months without the pain easing. Over this couple of months I also began having trouble with my right elbow tendon. After a 6 month lay off the pain and stiffness has grown to include both Achilles tendons and both plantar fasciitis tendons and both elbows.
On the advice of my orthopedic surgeon, I had my general md do blood work this morning for hormone levels, rheumatoid arthritis, and Lyme Disease. The pain is sharp in the morning but becomes a little less painful during the day. And I mean just a little better during the day.
RICE does not help at all. I used to bike and/or run three days a week and do full body weight training at the gym 3 days a week also. I'm to the point now where I can't do anything. The only other health problems I have are mild hypertension and a couple of herniated disk in my lower back. As long as I was exercising my blood pressure was under control without medicine. Exercising also kept me from having any major back pain.
I'm a 47 year old male who really needs to get back to exercising! Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated!!! Thank you.
Keith



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[Pug]

Bloodwork sounds like a good idea, even if it may be a conservative approach. Sounds like the doc may think you have an auto-immune issue. Does an NSAID like Aleve help you?

I recently ruptured a tendon in my forearm, and my PT's theory is that my shoulders weren't "carrying their weight" - so to speak - when lifting heavy things. Perhaps this is an issue for you as well. Since you mention your achilles etc having issues, maybe you need to re-assess training your posterior chain(s)?

[jbb]

Any update on this? I have had chronic tendon issues as well. Plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis, patellar tendonitis, and more recently a lot of tendon pain inside my elbow area.

[Moondust]

A daily regimen of glucosame has greatly helped the tendon pain in my elbows and knees. A few years ago I could not grasp and lift a telephone book with my right arm because of elbow pain. Now I can do it with no problem.

Glucosamine might not be the total answer but it is worth a try.

[AnnetteW]

I've had something similar and it kept getting worse.

Try reading the book "Fibromyalgia & Chronic Myofascial Pain" by Devin Starlanyl and Mary Ellen Copeland. Check it out from the library or skim through it at the bookstore and see if any of it sounds like you.

I actually had a doctor once tell me I have "shortened" tendons in my body, and I stretch and stretch and it never helps much.

I've been taking 6 fishoil pills a days and the pain has lessened. I don't know if it's from the F.O. or not, but it is supposed to help. Also, too much exercise causes me discomfort, as I get tight and sore very easily.

I get regular massages, stretch, foam roll, take a muscle relaxant if needed, pop a few too many motrin at times.

The doctor and I have since concluded that I have a "mild fibromyalgia" after being tested for RA and also celiac disease.

The more I read about fibro, the more it sounded like me....just not at the extreme level I would read about, and no depression issues.

And yes, a bit too much exercise and my shoulders hurt and the elbows hurt and the hips hurt.

Something to look in to.

[UConnJulie]

Food allergies/intolerances often manifest as joint and/or muscle pain. Most common culprits are wheat, dairy, corn, soy, and chocolate.