Tendonitis

[rachelmanija]

Specifically, medial epycondylitis aka "golfer's elbow." Both elbows, worse in the left.

Yes, I am seeing a doctor and doing occupational therapy. However, it keeps flaring up, probably because it is not possible for me to not type for weeks on end (even if I cut out all non-work typing-- it's the work typing that's the big problem.) And when I do manage to cut down on typing, I still have to wash dishes and lift stuff and talk on the phone and otherwise use my elbows.*

Has anyone found any supplements or other forms of supplementary treatment that are helpful? I'm already taking glucosamine/chondroitin.

*I am considering getting a phone headset. Has anyone else found that this made anough of a difference to be worthwhile?

*I am very, very, very reluctant to try voice-activated software. For reasons that are too long to type out, it would also be impossible to use for at least sixty percent of everything I do, and would only cut out one of about forty steps of everything else I do.

Comments

[rilina.livejournal.com]

I was diagnosed with golfer's elbow, tennis elbow, and carpal tunnel this past fall when I had my RSI flare-up of doom. Like you, I couldn't cut down entirely on my typing (in my case, b/c of school and work). I realize you are probably doing some of the following, but here's what I've been doing with pretty good success:

- I use a cordless mouse and a separate keyboard with my laptop when I'm at home, and have set everything up so it's as ergonomically neutral as possible. Using my laptop too much, especially its trackpad, was a major culprit for me.

- I started drafting my writing longhand, and then only typing up later drafts on the computer. I also printed out drafts and did revisions on paper, rather than on screen.

I haven't tried any supplements.

- I don't use a phone headset, but I use my cellphone's speakerphone a lot.

- Regular icing. (My PT said I should be like a pitcher, and ice my wrists/elbows even when they weren't hurting.)

- When I'm at home and away from the desk (say, sitting on the couch watching tv or reading), I usually have a pillow on my lap so I can rest my forearms on it; it puts my wrists and elbows a more neutral position.