Tendonitis and Lifting

jagodfrey08

My husband and I started a lifting program 5 weeks ago. It's from Jim Stoppani - Shortcut to Size. It's a 4 day a week split program.

I felt really great the first 4 weeks of the program and have been seeing results. We are finishing up week 5, and now there is a problem. My left elbow started aching on Tuesday and then again last night (Wednesday was a rest day). I couldn't complete my ab workout on the cable machine last night because it hurt so bad. I think it is tendonitis. I can do all the other workouts that don't require me to completelt bend my elbow.

I honestly don't know what I have done or how to fix it, and I don't want to be sidelined by a doc visit. I took ibuprofen, and it feels better today...or really immediately after extending my arm.

Question - Do elbow sleeves help for things like this? I'm already getting one for the arthritis in my right knee to see if it will help with that. How do you guys deal with tendonitis?

And I know minor discomfort is to be expected, but this is knew and quite painful when it flares. I would gladly take DOMS over this any day.

ew_david

I'd rest it for a bit and continue with ibuprofen, ice, etc. If there's a specific lift that causes pain, well, stop doing that until it feels better, then slowly reintroduce it and make sure your form is correct. You probably don't need a doctor unless it persists.

jagodfrey08

Thanks! I really hate going to the doctor.

ew_david

jagodfrey08 wrote: »

Thanks! I really hate going to the doctor.

I do too, but I spent a lot of time playing Dr. Google when, in fact, I had a legitimate issue. Don't be stubborn like me!

Cylphin60

jagodfrey08 wrote: »

Thanks! I really hate going to the doctor.

So do I, yet they provide a much needed service.

I have tendonitis issues, as well as others. My body is usually pretty good about letting me know if I'm dealing with simple muscle soreness or an injury, or a potential injury. I would follow dracarys advice, but if it seems I'm verging on that particular pain that's telling me to just stop - it might be worth that trip to the docs.

jagodfrey08

Yeah. I think you guys are right. I know they serve a purpose, but you know how it is. You go for something like this, and they say, "Well, you're no spring chicken anymore....here's 800mg Motrin." LOL I kid.

Okay. I will make an appointment. Thankfully, it's leg day today, and nothing to really do with my elbows.

Thanks for not telling me to suck it up, guys.

ew_david

jagodfrey08 wrote: »

Yeah. I think you guys are right. I know they serve a purpose, but you know how it is. You go for something like this, and they say, "Well, you're no spring chicken anymore....here's 800mg Motrin." LOL I kid.

Okay. I will make an appointment. Thankfully, it's leg day today, and nothing to really do with my elbows.

Thanks for not telling me to suck it up, guys.

LOL, that's exactly why I didn't want to go and that's exactly what happened when I finally did, except I got a steroid dose pack. 4 visits,12 weeks of physical therapy, and one year later, I was referred to a specialist and got an official diagnosis.

TR0berts

If tendonitis, acetaminophen - not ibuprofen. Anti-inflammatories are good for muscles, but tend to inhibit tendon/ligament healing.

rybo

Rest, rest, rest. Tendonitis can be a long recovery if you keep pushing on it & make it worse.

CM_73

I had a steroid injection for mine, rested it for a couple of weeks (I had a support brace thingy as well, prescribed by the doctor who carried out the injection)
Then, back to the gym, deloaded the weights slightly and carried on.
It can reoccur, but that was the end of it for me, never had a problem since (I was in constant pain before that for about a Year)

Cylphin60

jagodfrey08 wrote: »

Yeah. I think you guys are right. I know they serve a purpose, but you know how it is. You go for something like this, and they say, "Well, you're no spring chicken anymore....here's 800mg Motrin." LOL I kid.

Okay. I will make an appointment. Thankfully, it's leg day today, and nothing to really do with my elbows.

Thanks for not telling me to suck it up, guys.

LoL - I'm 57 and have worked through quite a few injuries, but like the others are saying and implying, tendon damage can be a bit of a big deal that can ruin things later if not.....tended to (see what I did there? ) so it's good to see you getting it looked at

jagodfrey08

Ha! Nice!

Okay. I will see a doc and go through the hassle of all that so I don't mess it up further. And, I will try the acetaminophen instead of ibuprofen.

I'm wondering if the change in barometric pressure with this approaching ice/snow storm could be partially to blame as well. Oh well. Off to make an appointment.

Thank you all so much!

Packerjohn

Get to the doctor and find out what is going on.

Also I would suggest not.wearing some random brace/sleeve as you may just be masking a problem. Ask the doctor if there is.a recommendation for a sleeve/brace that would help.

Best of luck.

_BrewingAZ_

Do not even push it. I did and it was the biggest mistake. I ended up getting tendinitis in both of my elbows, and it took about 8 months before I could do anything again. It happened last April, and I'm just now about to start lifting again. It takes FOREVER to heal and even longer if you even try to push through it.

Cylphin60

Packerjohn wrote: »

Get to the doctor and find out what is going on.

Also I would suggest not.wearing some random brace/sleeve as you may just be masking a problem. Ask the doctor if there is.a recommendation for a sleeve/brace that would help.

Best of luck.

This is a good suggestion too. I wore one for months, left elbow, and I still have slight issues a year later because I thought I could work through it. That wasn't very smart of me.

jagodfrey08

Okay. Well, I have an appointment scheduled for Wednesday. Hopefully, it is something that can be resolved fairly quickly. I don't want to be sidelined too long.

Thanks for all the help!

B28Elliott

_BrewingAZ_ wrote: »

Do not even push it. I did and it was the biggest mistake. I ended up getting tendinitis in both of my elbows, and it took about 8 months before I could do anything again. It happened last April, and I'm just now about to start lifting again. It takes FOREVER to heal and even longer if you even try to push through it.

he doesn't really workout..all lies

jagodfrey08

Okay. So, the bad news...

I have a medial meniscal tear in my right knee. I have tendonitis and inflammation in my right rotator cuff, and I have inflammation in my left elbow. He said I can't squats until my knee heals, and I might need surgery, depending on the upcoming MRI I have. I think the list of things I CAN do might be shorter. So frustrating. Lower weight, more reps....which seems counterintuitive since more reps puts more stress on my shoulder and elbows. Oh, well. I'm frustrated, but he said my shoulder and elbow should be fine if I just take it easy for a while and take Naprosyn around the clock for a couple of weeks.

The good news...

I'm not getting old, and it's not arthritis. Woo hoo! Hahahaha!!!!!

Thank you all for your help with this issue. I did back down on the weights this week after experiencing pain last week, and it did help. No wraps or sleeves. Just trying not to be Super Woman. Lol