Severe elbow pain

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Michelle343

Posted Tuesday, January 30, 2007 11:18 PM

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Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 12:56 PM
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I posted this same topic under the fibromyalgia topic, but then I thought maybe I could get help from people with PsA who dont go to the FM topic. I have psoriatic arthritis and fibromyalgia among other things. Anyway, both my elbows hurt, but the right elbow hurts me so badly that it brings me to tears daily! My Rheumie believes the elbow pain is actually from the fibro although I do have joint pain in the fingers,hands and wrists from the PsA. The elbow gets stuck in the bent position if I talk on the phone for a couple of minutes and it hurts soooooo bad to straighten it, but I feel like I have to because my fingers start to go numb. If I keep my arm straightened for a couple of minutes then it really hurts to bend it. It has gotten worse over time and now..... my elbow just aches no matter what position it is in. You can actually see the swelling of it. I wonder if it is actually the PsA and not just the FM. I mean, dont get me wrong, those of us with fibro know how badly it hurts. I feel like I want to actually remove my arm from my body cuz it hurts so bad! I love my Rheumie, but I cant help but think he is wrong about my elbow. Has anyone else had this kind of pain in their elbows. Do you think it is PsA or the fibromyalgia? I cant stand it anymore!
Also, I take mtx, humira, folic acid, levothyroxine, tramadol, piroxicam, and hydrocodone already, does anyone have any non medicinal suggestions for this pain? It just aches all over the entire elbow area all the way around my arm and about 2 inches up and down from the joint in all directions. I am unable to lift my purse with my right arm extended or even pick up a full glass of water with my arm extended. Please reply! Peace and Blessings, Michelle

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2Stubborn

Posted Wednesday, January 31, 2007 10:45 AM

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Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 12:53 PM
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Michelle,
I am glad you did post under the PsA boards, because I don't usually look at the fibro boards. I was diagnosed with PsA about 2 1/2 yrs ago, but I don't have fibro. I too have severe elbow pain that is greater on the right side (which I think is sometimetimes due to being right handed and using that side more). Anyhow, when I am not on my meds, I develop "contractures" in my elbow that don't straighten out and they are so painful! The only thing that has proven effective is my Enbrel. I have been on so many other things and since I am allergic to mtx, that is no good. I am now on prednisone, Enbrel, and lodine. The combination seems to be doing the trick unless I have a really bad flare, in which case I usually have to up the prednisone. With that said, you could very well be correct...that your elbow pain is related to the PsA...not the fibro. Why don't docs just listen??? They just need to spend a day in our shoes. Makes me want to get my nurse practitioner license and specialize in rheumatology. Sometimes I think "at least I would understand"! Anyhow, hope you find some answers soon. Take care and God Bless!
Amy

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Michelle343

Posted Wednesday, January 31, 2007 3:29 PM

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Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 12:56 PM
Posts: 124, Visits: 0

Thank you, thank you, thank you Amy! Your reply brought tears to my eyes. I started to think I was losing my mind. Both my elbows hurt, but my right is worse... and I am right handed. Oh gosh it just hurts so badly. My rheumie usually is so good, but I do think with this he is missing it. How did they dx the contractures? Should I suggest that to my doctor? I take 8 mtx a week, humira every other week, tramadol and piroxicam for my PsA. I was on enbrel and believe it worked better for me. In fact, they are considering switching me back to Enbrel or trying Remicade. Anyway, please let me know what you think I should do about my doctor and this awful elbow pain that makes even typing this difficult. Peace and Blessings, Michelle

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2Stubborn

Posted Thursday, February 01, 2007 11:30 AM

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Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 12:53 PM
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Michelle,
A contracture is simply when the muscles become contracted or tightened and won't extend back out. My arm would get stuck in the bent position and I couldn't straighten it out all the way no matter what I did. It isn't necessarily an individual diagnosis that your doctor would give you. I would however be very persistant about getting him/her to make some suggestions about what to do about the pain and about it getting stuck. I think sometimes you have to keep after the docs to get them to entertain the notion that what is wrong is possibly something other than what they think. You might just mention that you have talked to someone else with PsA who doesn't have the fibro, yet experiences the same problem and just see what he says. Although they have the degree, they haven't experienced what you have. Have you tried cortisone shots directly to the joint? I did those for a while. They are not very comfortable (but neither is the current condition of your arm) and they helped tremendously. You might ask if that would be worth a try. Hope you get some answers soon. Keep me posted!
Amy

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