Several months ago my left elbow starting hurting like I hit it really hard on something. This is on the inside right on the bone and it is very hard to pick up a cup, answer the phone or extend it sometimes. Then, a few weeks ago my right one started doing the same thing and hurting up into my forearm area. I have looked this up and I think it is "golfers elbow" or medial epicondylitis. What can be done for this? Just anti-inflammatories? I have eaten Advil like candy, but its not helping any. Thanks for your time!

It could possibly be golfers or tennis elbow. Icing and resting the area does help but it's probably in your best interest to speak to your doctor to be sure something isn't chipped or other type of damage to the joint itself.
good luck
Barbie

Several months ago my left elbow starting hurting like I hit it really hard on something. This is on the inside right on the bone and it is very hard to pick up a cup, answer the phone or extend it sometimes. Then, a few weeks ago my right one started doing the same thing and hurting up into my forearm area. I have looked this up and I think it is "golfers elbow" or medial epicondylitis. What can be done for this? Just anti-inflammatories? I have eaten Advil like candy, but its not helping any. Thanks for your time!

But you say the pain is on the "inside" of the elbow? Tennis and Golfer's elbow is typically presented as a chronic pain on the outside of the elbow, below the joint (toward the wrist). It is usually a stress induced condition (over use), but it can also develop as a legacy symptom from a trauma (like a deep bruising).

You indicate that your first experience with the pain was your left elbow, so if you are right-handed, the condition in your left arm would be considered golfer's elbow. Both tennis elbow and golfer's elbow are examples of inflamed tendons causing a chronic heat and pain sensation. Those conditions are tendonitis; an inflammation of a tendon. Usually, when it is referred to as tennis elbow, it is because it is in your right arm. This is because most people are right handed , and a cause for an over-use condition would be something like the back-swing of tennis. That action puts an exaggerated strain on the tendon just below the elbow.

The problem with tendonitis is that it takes a long time to heal. And it can be very frustrating, as you have already learned. Every time you think you are getting ahead of the issue, and you begin to feel you can now resume your prior activities that caused the problem, you quickly learn that you have just set yourself back as your same symptoms return with a vengeance.

Of course, it is very difficult to suggest a course of action until you confirm whether this is tendonitis or an early stage of something different. The description of the location on the elbow is not what I would typically expect, and the fact that it has now developed in the other elbow starts to draw attention to alternative conditions. So you probably will want your doctor to confirm some things.

But, I can suggest something you should consider whether it is tendonitis or some early sign of an autoimmune situation. If you currently consume any form of diet and/or carbonated beverage, stop and see how your elbows feel. Give a good three weeks with no softdrinks and see how that effects your inflammatory condition.

And by the way, back way off the Advil. It is very hard on the liver. There are natural antiinflammatories available that are non-toxic. Because your elbows are almost certainly some form of inflammatory condition, using pharmaceutical antiinflammatories will trap you in a vicious cycle spiralling downhill. I call this cycle the Wellness Cascade. Once the momentum picks up it is hard to stop.

Best regards,
B.

Tennis elbow does hurt!! And it takes forever to get better. But it will. Advil is so hard on the stomache also........just put some ice on it and try not to use it much...let it have time to heal.