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]

Writing longhand isn't necessarily easy for me, but for me the main benefit is that it offers variation from what I was previously doing. It was a break from all the keyboard use. Ditto for using a mouse: I mostly wasn't using a mouse before I got one; as telophase noted, something like a tablet or trackball might be better for your particular situation.

I see that other people have also mentioned braces; I don't know if they apply to elbow conditions as much as wrist conditions. (I was prescribed some for my wrists, but my elbows were treated with various types of PT, icing, and rest.) But they are a big help for wrist pain; if I forget to wear mine while sleeping for a couple nights, I can definitely feel the different in my hands and wrists.