any one ever had v bad elbow pain with ra?

I have v bad elbow pan worse than other joints in dominant arm any ideas?

[watson3]

Hi there and good morning. I had what doctors thought was tennis elbow for several years, before I was diagnosed with RA. I had my elbows injected with steriod, I know we don't like our joints injected but both my elbows responded well.

I couldn't lift anything or open doors and was also finding it difficult to change gear in the car.

Carole

[LavendarLady]

Hi Alison, yes I have had the same thing with severe elbow pain in my dominant arm which is right. I also get it in the left arm as well. My Rheumy did say it is to do with the RA. I haven't had a steroid injection into the elbow but have had a general injection into my btm to bring it all under control again. You could also try anti inflammatory pain meds and stick elbow into a bowl of cold water. (I don't know why it works but it does for me!).

Best wishes. LavendarLady x

[Hidden]

Your question & Carole's reply flicked a switch in my brain & I suddenly remembered why I gave up playing tennis, yep, apparent tennis elbow that was probably RA. It's astonishing really how many of my joints have flared up for a while 'back then' and only gradually do I remember & make the connection with RA. Why do I think it was RA? Because it was so awful that I gave up tennis there and then, despite how much I loved it & only RA seems to have that effect! Probably not a brilliant argument but what I'm getting at in a round about way is that overuse does sound like the problem. Even the little photo makes me think you might be constantly reaching for things in your job. I know RA isn't meant to 'favour' joints that are under most strain, but I'm a bit sceptical about that. I wonder whether some sort of support for your arm, a sling even, might provide some relief and, of course, whether you would still be able to carry on with work meanwhile? Luce x

[Hidden]

Thank you all having Xray today im having other arm. intense pain( gp says rotational pain so not so typical as tennis elbow.. feels like in joint area to me. sharp shooting pain, blods being done soon too.

[Hidden]

Hello, when I get elbow pain it is a sort of heavy, dragging pain that is impossible to ease. At the same time I normally get pins and needles in my hands which my rheumy says is caused by inflammation in my elbows. This reply is of no use to you but I hope you get some relief soon! It is horrid having basically useless arms because your elbows are painful, good luck. Virge. PS using a neoprene support usually helps xx

[piscean16]

Hi I also get constant pain in both elbows was offered an injection into elbow but said no. Will wait until I can,t stand it anymore. sorry I dont have any advice for you but everyone elses suggestions are worth trying. Good luck

Regards Sharon

[shirlthegirl]

I also haven't suffered with a lot of pain in my elbows, But if i reach out for something, sometimes it give me like a stiff feeling, like my bones have locked, I hope you know what i mean, It;s not really pain full, but it is uncomfortable, Hope you are feeling better soon,By the way thank you for the advice last nite, Got a couple of hours, so am going to have a PJ day......

Take care Xxx

[Hidden]

I had horrible pain in my elbows in 2011. It made me feel quite sick and I came on here and asked about wearing a sling - and that did seem to help - although it wasn't recommended but it honestly felt as if I'd broken it. So yes it is RA. Good luck with X-rays - I've not had any yet but it would be interesting to know if things show up when the pain is so terrible. Tilda x

[cathie]

I think my mother had bad elbows - she had barely controlled RA. So sorry...

[Sailaway]

My elbows are affected, it can take some time to get them moving in the morning. As well as stiffness, they're very painful & I often need to put pillows either side of me so gravity doesn't pull on them at night otherwise I don't get any sleep. There's no doubt where the problem is as the pain's right in the joint.

I hope your investigations go well and you get some answers as well as effective relief x

[warthog100]

Hi there i also have a painful elbow in my left one most noticeably when i hold a plate with it then its dificult to stretch out ra did say it was tennis elbow but connected to ra

[Ozzy]

I have pain in both elbows, they are also sore on the inside. My rhummy called them golfers elbows which is the reverse of tennis. It is because of RA that I have them, never played golf and was just useless at tennis.

[knobblyknees]

I had pain in my elbows so much so that i had to use a straw to drink as I couldnt bend enough to reach my mouth. after a few months I noticed that I couldnt straigten my arms. Apart from all my meds, I have had massage and all that sort of thing on them but to this day I cannot straighten my arms fully.

I know this isnt much help to you but I do hope that you dont get like me and that it can be sorted soon.

[126Jessie]

Yes. both elbows. Worse when I play piano or use the computer, better after rest. I visit an oesteopath regularly who works on the tendons around my elbows by giving me a deep tissue massage - works wonders and certainly helps as long as she doesn't go too close to my elbow joints! I have a plug in electronic massager that I often rest my arms on to help ease up the tight tendons, may be worth a go... I feel your pain! x