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My right elbow is killing me. Feels like the muscle has torn.

Posted By: Coincidence...(nm) on 2005-11-10
In Reply to: My left elbow is killing me! SM - Chickadee

dd


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My left elbow is killing me! SM

Stretching out my arm and picking up a reference book is agony.  An easy solution is to move all my books to my right side, but is this caused by MTing or sleeping on it (I almost always sleep on my left side with that arm folded under my pillow) or combo of the two?  I've typed about "elbow cradles"...do they help?  Any suggestions?


Thanks!


Chickadee


allergy to muscle? ASR

ASR:  Allergy to muscle.  (Well, there's a reason not to work out).


Should have been allergy to amoxil. 


Perhaps she gained muscle mass SM
You can change your body compostition drastically and not lose or gain much weight if you replace a lot of fat with muscle. She said her clothes fit better so I am assuming that is what happened.  Sounds like she is doing great to me!
Dear Muscle Stimulator. Brown:
The office manager did not find this funny at all.  My boss and I did, however.  That quick correct didn't last long.
Muscle relaxants could help also. I am on migraine medicine too but...
if it is caused by your muscles trapping the occipital nerve, injections would help, both diagnostically and therapeutically. They would then know how to proceed with your next step in treatment. The stimulator was a miracle until the lead wires moved. If the injections do not help, it rules out one type of headache and on to the next. I use Cafergot for my migraines with aura (a whole different headache altogether), but that has been discontinued now. I really wish you luck!
Deep muscle massage every other Friday-

Do a mix of cardio and muscle strengthening but note
there is NO such thing as toning your muscles! Tone is the resistance and tension your muscles have that you cannot control.


You either use the muscle you have or you create new muscle. The ONLY way to change your muscle mass is to create new muscle, which means tearing the fibers of your current muscle and growing new muscle fiber. To increase muscle mass you need to PUSH the limits of your current muscle mass. Creating more muscle mass increases your capacity to burn fuel/make energy (burn fat/increase metabolism). Also, this is measured in ounces, not pounds. Also, women in comparison to men have far less ease in increasing muscle mass unless hormones or steroids are involved. Really, ounces people. One more point, muscle fiber is muscle fiber. It doesn't turn into fat and fat doesn't turn into muscle. You create or lose muscle mass, you store or shed fat cells.


I could go on and on and on....so many myths out there about this kind of stuff. IMO, optimum exercise is a combo of cardio and weights. No pain no gain has some truth in it. If you don't push your body, and you only need to push it a little, you aren't doing much but using the muscle you already have and using the energy (burning the calories) you've taken in for the day and not the calories you've stored as fat.
torn

jobs can be replaced,  families cannot!!!!!!


 


torn
I was a unit secretary and loved it. Yes it does exposure you to the "behind the scenes" of nursing and you will learn alot. I work the 2nd shift and hated it. I did not have children at the time but I felt that I missed out on everything since I was working every other weekend as well. Would you have your weekends off? That would be a tuff decision. YOu can always try it and if it does not work out there are always other MT companies out there. If you leave this company on good terms they would probably take you back to.
Torn between two jobs
I need some advice. I am currently an IC medical Transcriptionist with three kids ages 12, 8 and 4 and I am also on my local community college's nursing school waitlist. I have been offered a job at a hospital as a unit secretary for the 3-11:30 shift. This job will offer better benefits than I get now (currently none) and the health insurance is much better/cheaper than what my husband gets. I just don't know if I should take it or not. I'm afraid if I do take it I won't see my family very often. I will see the two oldest for about an hour in the morning before I take them to school and the youngest I will see for a few hours in the a.m. before she goes to preschool and then to a drop in child care place if I take the job. Being an IC I know that my current home job can be taken away without any notice (no reason to think that it will anytime soon, just from past experiences) so I am wondering if I should move on with a different more stable job or stay put where I am at and enjoy the time I have at home with the kids? I know the unit secretary position will be helpful in the future when I am in nursing school but should I sacrifice family time to do that? I just don't know what to do. Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Torn between two jobs
I worked as a MT in a hospital too working 5 pm to 1 a.m for the exact same reasons. That didn't last too long, about six months and then I worked at home after that.

I keep telling myself that exact same advice about if my MT job dries up then find something else at that time, not now. Maybe I really should listen to my heart and not take it.

Thank you so much for your thoughts, I appreciate it.
Torn between two jobs
Thanks so much for the encouragement. You are right, I am very lucky to be able to stay at home with the family and still bring in an income. Unfortunately my husband doesn't like the company that I am contracted with or how I have been treated in the past by them so he would be thrilled if I left them.


Torn between two jobs
That's what I am not sure if there will be enough time at night to make up the difference while I was at school during the day. I know that the hospital would be more willing/understanding to accommodate my schedule if I needed to change it. I don't believe my job at home would--they would find someone else to do it. That is another consideration I need to think about as well.

My 12 year old thinks I should take it, my husband thinks I should take it and my two younger kids don't want me to take it. Pretty much split down the middle.
Torn between two jobs
I never thought about what the kids might learn from my decision if I should take the job. Thanks for pointing that out.

They definitely will enjoy evenings with dad. I think he does more fun things than I do anyways!!
Torn between two jobs
I know exactly how you feel. If I don't get enough sleep my typing will suffer the next day. I also sometimes feel that all I do is work day and night and I feel bad for the kids that I am always in the den working that is why I thought if I got a job outside of the house it would be just that, a job outside the house but I must say I do feel that I am lucky to be able to work at home and bring in an income

Good luck in your change of jobs. Go with what will make you and your family happy. It would definitely be worth if it will decrease your stress.



Torn between two jobs
Thanks for you input also MT to RN. My husband said that he would help me in any way if this is a job that I really want to take. Like I said in a previous post, he feels that with my current IC status I get treated like ***t (no benefits, no pay raises, no paid sick time, no paid vacation to name a few) and he believes that this opportunity would be valuable in my future career as a nurse. As for the childcare issues he doesn't see how an hour to hour and a half day at daycare and the after school program would hurt our kids. He doesn't think there is a difference between me working at home and working at the hospital on that shift because when I am working at home I'm not spending time with the kids anyways. I know I have a lot to consider and yes, I do want to eventually become a nurse sometimes it seems like it will never happen because the wait list is so long and will take forever to even get into nursing school. I just want to do what is right for the family and my kids.
Torn between 2 jobs
I was in the same position. But, I figured a way out of the stress and how to be with family, kids, work with benefits and have a life and fit in sleep.
Maybe this could work for you. BTW: Yes, working in a hospital is great with great benes, but who watches the children when they get sick? Do you pay for daycare if anyone will watch them?
Anyway, what I am doing now is I get up at 3 a.m. and work until I take my son to school. Then, after he comes home from school, and he does his homework, I finish my shift in the late afternoon and it usually gets enough hours/lines in to make a full shift. I also try to pick 1 weekend day, when my husband is home and I work the afternoon then and early morning so I have a day off during the week. These both work because I sleep when I put my son to bed, and when I get up at 3 I have slept enough. I can take a nap in the morning and then I am ready for just a couple of hours in the afternoon.
I have found services and at least 1 hospital allowing me to do this shift, because not many people are willing, and you get great benefits if you ask the right questions of the right company or any hospital. This is best of both worlds. Just make sure you get good coffee for around 2:45 a.m. It is great to be with the kids then, and it is nice and quiet in the middle of the night to transcribe.
Just my 2c. Good luck on your decision!
Take a couple of muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatories, call
in sick to work, and GO TO BED!!!!  I was in a car accident years ago and still had to show up for work the next day.  I was miserable because it hurt so bad and I had to wear the soft collar.  Honestly, what other profession expects people to work anyways if they're sick or injured?  Cripes, even my old waitressing job let us take days off if we didn't abuse it.  That's not the case with MT.
Rehab is easy, some muscle names might get you at first but you will learn quick - sm
I first started on PT, good way to start when you are green. Loved it, simple and good lines.
Torn beween two jobs
The only reason I considered an evening job is because we can't afford full time daycare so day shifts would be out of the question for a year or so. I have heard that being a unit secretary gets you exposed to the "behind the scenes" of working as a nurse and experience on the floor. I'm not looking to get away from my kids and husband at night, I'm looking for a more reliable job than MT as this job has gone to India once before and came back so that reason alone has me questioning the future of MT in general.
Thanks for your input, I really appreciate it.
Torn glenoid implant

Its dictated under implants utilized and s/l Tournay medium polyethylene glenoid with Press-Fit stem


What out for your elbow.
x
Sore elbow(s)

   I use elbow pads to save my shoulders & neck, but find that continually resting my elbows on anything (or keeping them bent at a 90-degree angle or greater) for any period of time exacerbates the pain.  My problem is bone-spurs in the elbows - combination of arthritis and/or overuse from sports, etc.  But typing, sleeping with it bent, etc. do make it worse.  I've found gentle exercises on the machines at the gym to be helpful, provided I don't overdo it.  I also use glucosamine & chondroitin supplements for a knee problem that might help a little. 


Sometimes sleeping curled around an extra pillow, with my arm stretched out underneath it to help prevent it from being over-bent, seems to help.  Also avoiding over-use.  I try to keep my med. dictionary on my desk during the day, so I don't have to reach for it, and when I first take it off the shelf in the morning, I do it while standing up to lessen the stress on the joint. 


When it does flare up, I've experimented with different pain remedies to find what is most effective.  While aspirin works best on some of my parts, my own elbow pain seems to respond best to extra-strength Tylenol, and second-best to two ibuprofen (even though the bottle says take just one.)  And the neck and shoulder pain is best relieved by Flexall cream, second-best by ibuprofen. 


Best of luck finding the right cure! 


 


 


Elbow pain
What has helped my elbow pain a lot is vitamin B complex vitamin. I read that somewhere and tried it. It helps me and may help someone else.
sore elbow
Just yesterday I noticed a lump on my forearm, just above the elbow. It is sore and has a red spot just on top of the lump, but the red just fades into almost nothing (which is just smaller than a dime), and the lump is actually lumpy, but seems to spread into a mass a couple of inches long. Anyone have any experience with something similar to this? I don't want to go to the doctor unless I have to because I know they will want to do an MRI, and all of that "stuff," (so if anyone has had anything like this and may have an idea what it is I would appreciate hearing from you). Thank you.
BooBoo Elbow
Not to be a smart butt, but is the swollen area right over the olecranon process? Have you bumped this area? Have about a skeeter bite? (we'll leave the spelling like that!<g>) You need to differentiate between inflammation and infection. Try heat and if that does not work, try ice. Until you know what it really is maybe you should avoid  topical stuff like Ben Gay (that still around? ) As I Have That said...go and get a band. They do work! Take whatever pain med you feel is warranted and tolerated....you know the usual  (ibuprofen, asa, Tylenol, etc.).+ Are you in a tick populated area? If so hightail it to the docs as soon as you can!
I have ulnar neuropathy, but my  olecranon process did not get too red or swollen. But, boy did it hurt. Plus the pain went down the ulnar nerve region to my fingers.

Hope it gets better soon!!  

Tennis elbow anyone???

Hi all!


I have developed 'tennis elbow' after many years of transcribing. If there are any fellow sufferer's with this condition, have you found any methods to relieve the discomfort of this condition besides refraining from using a keyboard? Thanks for any input.


tennis elbow
I developed "tennis elbow" and I bought an air pillow/splint that wraps around your arm at the elbow with velcro and it helps. Also, my doctor told me (orthopedic physiatrist) that most tennis elbow is not tennis elbow but is related to shoulder/neck/rotator cuff strain/sprain. I went to physical therapy for impingement of rotator cuff on opposite side, but with the PT I received for my neck/back/shoulder, my "tennis elbow" disappeared completely and has not come back. Try the little air pillow, you can buy at drug stores for about 15.00 for tennis elbow. Hope this info helps. I am still transcribing.
elbow pain
i find i rest my chin in my hand while leaning on my elbow to read the text. now my elbow hurts and my posture is suffering. word of advice on editing...read the sentences out loud. you can catch a lot of errors that way.
elbow pain
In regard to your elbow pain, I also have been typing 25 plus years and have had physical therapy on my left elbow. PT said it is tenns elbow from repetitive motion. They suggested getting cortisone shots. Shortly after seeing physical therapy for my left elbow and it was okay, my right one started aching. Hurts and aches all the time. After 6 months of wearing an elbow wrap when I work, using heat when I don't work and using Biofreeze,(lotion the chiropractor uses) - I went and had a cortisone shot. WOW best thing ever. My elbow has not hurt since. It is remarkable. Other than quitting transcription, is the best thing to help.

Elbow pain
Anyone have ideas on how to alleviate elbow pain when typing?  I just started having right elbow pain that doesn't hurt while I am typing, but when I am done the pain is so bad I can barely move my arm.  I need to set up my desk/keyboard differently so my arm is in a different position while typing, but not sure how.  I tried the keyboard in lap trick suggested.......doesn't work.  The keyboard is tettering all over the place because I've got one foot on the pedal so my knees are uneven.  It's funny 'cause my elbow doesn't move while I am working but I guess my fingers moving must create enough muscle tension on my elbow that I've messed it up good.  Could this be bursitis or epicondylitis?  Help.  Need relief.  Geeze, 25+ years at this and NOW I start having pain.
Tennis elbow
In the last month I have had the same problem with my right arm, only pain on top on the bone.  It does not hurt when I type but afterwards I can barely bend my elbow.  It also hurts when picking up things, even very light objects.  Just went to an Ortho doc Wed and he diagnosed lateral epicondylitis/tennis elbow.  It is from the repetitive motion of my fingers typing that causes the tendon that goes to the elbow to get tiny tears in it, thus the pain.  He fit me with a wrap that goes around my arm just below the elbow.  This causes compression and has helped tremendously with the pain.  He also put me on Naprelan which is a strong antiinflammatory.  He said there is no cure and the next step will be a cortisone injection if the bracing and meds do not help.  I also purchased a Morency board by Ergodirect ($100)  It attaches to my keyboard tray and is shaped in such a way that your arms up to your elbows rest on it.  Much better than having your arms just rest on the arms of your chair or hang mid air.  It is SO comfortable to type this way.  Give it a try and good luck.  Go figure, I thought I'd have carpel tunnel after 25 years of transcription, not elbow pain.
It's just killing him..
to see you so good off and doing wonderful without him. Men cant handle the thought that we don't always need them!

Hope all stays well!
Killing is killing!!! Does not mean they cannot
In the Old Testament the law was an eye for an eye.

The Bible is the ultimate authority and it is ours to obey and take at its Word...not to question or rationalize it to make it fit the circumstance we want out of! Just because others kill or have killed doesn't WE don't have to obey! Bottom line...We have to stand before God for one day, and all of the above men had to also!
I have elbow pain but tell me more about this, first I have heard of
the cause as in using your mouse. I thought it might be related to a fibromyalgia problem I have. It hurts so much. I, thank goodness, have never had any repetative typing issues as with carpal tunnel but did notic this. Fill me in some on this. Thanks.
Here's what's been working for my elbow pain: (sm)
Mine is due to bone spurs in the elbows, impinging on the ulnar nerve. Although typing in my lap helped, it wasn't the ultimate answer. I shelled out the bucks and bought an adjustable Humanscale keyboard tray that is mounted under the desk. When I drop the keyboard tray down to lap level, the keyboard itself is just slightly higher, which seems to be my best position. I also got softest, cushiest gel wrist pad I could find.

The main thing has been to keep the elbow angles open. Mine has to be anything greater than a 90-degree angle, or else I get lots of pain all the way down to the little finger... feels like a headache in my forearm and hand.

Also try not to sleep with your elbows bent beyond 90 degrees, either. I tried different pain meds for when it flares up.... it takes a bit of experimentation. Aspirin didn't work at all, but ibuprofen & Tylenol seem to work best.

I had to stop including full push-ups in my workouts, too. I can do them to a limited degree by staring at the top and going only halfway down. I also avoid resting my elbows or forearms on tables, armrests, etc. (I removed the armrests from my office chair... don't need them anyway, with the keyboard tray.)

Get the softest-touch keyboard you can find, too. I found that the stiffer ones that required a harder touch to operate created enough impact to get the elbow sore, starting at the finger and working its way up.

If it's muscle pain, sometimes the cream called "Flexall" works well for me. (Especially on my NECK!) But my elbow pain is obviously an irritated nerve, and Flexall doesn't touch that.

The same as you, the pain started after about 25 years, but I don't really attribute it to typing -- typing just exacerbates it.

Good luck, and keep trying different things 'til you find something that works!


Reverse tennis elbow? sm
After 10 years of transcribing, just the last couple of months I am having inflammation and tenderness on the inside of my left elbow.  Not on the right, just the left.  Ergonomics?  Might be.  I have tried putting a folded up towel on the arm of my chair, raising my elbow, and that helps a little.  Anyone else every had this?
killing snakes
If an animal is endangering my life, of course, I will probably have to kill it, snakes included, of which we have many out here.  If I was on an island, just me and a chicken, of course, I would eat it.  My take is that, as long as there is other healthier food, I will continue to eat that, veggies, grains, fruits, and leave the animals to live their lives.
What do you think abortion is, if it is not killing?
does that mean it is okay? Even the law of our land will not allow you to kill a man...but a baby...or fetus as they so lovingly refer to it as...is perfectly acceptable to kill! Hmmmm...something is wrong here!
you can't blame them for killing themselves to get here,
and adding further insult to injury, we put everything in their language. however, thanks to our system of welfare, too many US citizens refuse to work the hard labor jobs, so we "need" the illegals.
killing grass?
Good question, considering I have a new home and just now have grass starting to show through all this dirt around our house. The last thing I want to do is invest $900 in grass seed and fertilizer only to kill it. Please advise.
Yes, and Unions are killing GM and the like.
nm
Be careful you dont strain your elbow again.
x
you are killing yourself to support HIS lifestyle? sm


How many jobs does your husband work? You're crazy to keep up the hectic schedule you are on right now.  Is money really worth you working yourself to death? If that's the only reason you are looking for more work, tell your husband to get another job.  Sounds to me like you do more than your share!


about the same as killing all birds over the bird flu sometimes...
you have to do what you have to do. If there is mad cow disease, everyone kills cows. If there is bird flu, we kill birds. If there is rabies, we kill dogs. Any epidemic in the making has to be stopped before the epidemic starts. Oh, and the West Nile virus, we kill mosquitos. The only thing with the deer ticks, we aren't forced to kill deer, people do that for sport. lol
it seems like you're killing THIS board.

killing of dogs in China

Please click on the following link to help stop the killing of the dogs in China in such a horrible inhumane way.  Thank you.


http://ga4.org/campaign/china_petition/sbk3x64f53ttjk?


My back is killing me today. What do
you do for back pains?  Any suggestions....
well it's just how she feels isn't it?
maybe she doesn't care about gere or his religion or cruse is nothing to her so she doesn't care about his religion.  so it is an opinion board right?   that's her opinion.  let's move on.
Not everybody feels the way you do, though. SM

You should censor what other people watch? I don't mean -you- but I mean that it's up to people what they turn the channel to.


To some people, Jesus Christ was not the Son of God. That's how they believe. To them, he was a fictitious or a historical character and there's no blasphemy involved.


If you do cringe (I haven't seen the ads for it) then not watching it is the right decision for you, but not everybody feels that way. :)


 


No my elbow doesn't hurt, I think you missed the point.
Once I helped someone I didn't smirk, smile, and pat myself on the back, or bend my elbow. What I did was get on with daily living. Helping people comes in all forms, not necessarily in money form, maybe just smiling at someone who is sad or having a bad day, people have done that for me. Maybe not kicking the dog when you have a bad day, things like that. Not too complicated. Just what we are supposed to do if we are raised right.