Elbow pain: Is it fibromyalgia?

In my journey, elbow pain has been a puzzle for many years. After many years it was finally determined to be a combination of fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease, bursitis, bone spurs and arthritis - no wonder it took so long...

In answer to your question, yes, I was given exercises, by an excellent physical therapist, in conjunction with a full pain management program. It consists of stretching the spine, stretching & mobilizing the neck and shoulders, stretching the arms and shoulders, paying attention to posture at all times, and not leaning on my arms, elbows or forearms. It started working within the first 2 weeks, and I gradually improved over about 2 months. A year and a half later, I still do the exercises faithfully. If I miss a few days, my entire body tells me "DO IT!"

Can you get a referral for a few sessions with a therapist who specialises in mobility and chronic pain? These folks can be almost magical at pinpointing the exact form and extension you need to help your body, especially if you work with them.
Sue

@elizabethmartinez

All that Sue mentioned is true.

I do not have fibromyalgia.

If you are having numbness and weakness in the hand on the side your elbow hurts… it can also be ulnar nerve entrapment. Years ago I was having pain in my left shoulder and thought that the pain in my elbow, numbness in my little finger on that side were caused by my shoulder injury… also had pain in my upper arm. I could not use nail clippers… which was from the ulnar nerve. The injury was from a car accident that threw me against the door a couple of times. I hit my shoulder hard… I think I must have hit my elbow too. I had some cleanup done of my shoulder about 3 years after the accident. .. and at the same time an ulnar nerve release.

The upper arm is still my neck… surgery would not help… but just underwent a medial nerve branch block and had good results.. and hopefully in a few weeks radiofrequency ablation for a longer term of pain relief.

Have you had a MRI of your neck or elbow? x-rays often show nothing going on when there is a lot going on to cause pain. . x-rays of my neck showed nothing and the MRI showed 2 bone spurs, arthritis and a couple of other things. I cannot remember the terminology on them.. but something to do with slippage which concerned my pain doctor the most.

I hoe you find the relief you need.

ZeeGee

Hi. Would you be so kind to explain those helpful exercises in a bit more detail, as I often struggle with terrible elbow and arm pain. Thanks🙏

I would be hesitant - that in effect would be prescribing for you. You need to be evaluated by your doc or a PT. Then exercises designed for your specific needs.
Sue