1. < Fibromyalgia

Elbow pain: Is it fibromyalgia?

Posted by elizabethmartinez @elizabethmartinez, Jan 21, 2022

Questions for those that with fibromyalgia. 2 months ago my elbows started hurting when I say hurting it was even affecting my sleep. My primary sent me to northville which my insurance didn't take. I am going to pain doctor and he's stating it's because of my neck I have some issues which pinched nerves and the trickles down. He gave me some exercise to do. Has anyone experienced these pains in the elbow?

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jan 21, 2022

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

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1 reply
ZeeGee | @fourof5zs | Jan 22, 2022

@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

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minakandersen | @minakandersen | Apr 18, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "In my journey, elbow pain has been a puzzle for many years. After many years it..." + (show)
@sueinmn

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

Jump to this post

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🙏

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1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Apr 18, 2023
In reply to @minakandersen "Hi. Would you be so kind to explain those helpful exercises in a bit more detail,..." + (show)
@minakandersen

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🙏

Jump to this post

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

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jujujo421 | @jujujo421 | Jun 20 8:30am

When I am having a flare, my elbows are very painful! It’s weird … they don’t hurt when I’m not flaring (probably the only body part that doesn’t hurt daily) but when I am, I can’t even carry something as light as my water bottle for 5 minutes without becoming unable to bend my elbow due to the pain.

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memphismes | @memphismes | Jun 21 10:47am

I have the same problem, but it is only my right elbow.

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mellyj | @mellyj | Jun 21 1:13pm

My left elbow hurts. Is this a fibromyalgia flare?

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