tennis elbow

About 3 weeks ago I had some pain In my elbow, still there and getting worse after 1 week.

doc said it's Tennis Elbow, said it could last 6 months OR MORE, gave me a pamphlet with exercises to do.

tried to do them but pain was severe, now 3 weeks, no better and getting me down, says injections no good!

Tried "straps" on elbow no improvement, has any one any suggestions?

Well I had cortisone injections which were very painful, but worked.  Mine was so bad I couldn't use my arm.   Suggest you get a 2nd opinion Nicko

sassy, will go back to doctors but wont get appointment for at least 10 days!

Alternating ice and heat might reduce the swelling. A bag of frozen peas and a microwaveable bean bag. 2 mins each on and off for 20 mins.

Thanks Handy, tried that, no relief.

There is no easy fix Nicko. . Lots of rest and no lifting of laden pint glasses.
Mind you,after 8 pints of Stella the pain magically disappears

I know you shouldn't, but I might be tempted to go to A&E

AS "Tennis Elbow" is a form of tendonitis (inflammation of the tendon -- an overuse/repetitive strain class of injury..), or maybe tenosynavitis (which is where you need a doctor or physio' for genuine diagnosis -- from the rest of us plebs it's just "opinions", as always) -- that means plenty of rest, support, elevation (which you're doing anyways..);  and no massage or physical manipulation until the joint is well into the healing stage, and any pain has disappeared.  A physio' might also advise using a TENS treatment on it..
Some people might benefit from accupuncture or accupressure, but the majority won't.

Ice packs first up, and then alternating hot and cold packs - as Andy suggested - is the standard/suggested First Aid treatment, and certainly doesn't hurt..
And a couple of beers never hurts, either (moderation in all things ).

LIKE sassy suggested, cortisone injections are often used to good effect (some people will be scared of possible side effects, but up to a few shots over a couple of months are usually safe for most people..). Cortisone is naturally produced by the body around injuries and inflammations -- all that the injections are doing is giving a stronger dose, than is normal, to help accelerate healing..

Like sassy suggested, I would be considering getting a second opinion as well...        

nicko wrote:About 3 weeks ago I had some pain In my elbow,  still there and getting worse after 1 week.

doc said it's Tennis Elbow, said it could last 6 months OR MORE, gave me a pamphlet with exercises to do.

tried to do them but pain was severe,  now 3 weeks, no better and getting me down,  says injections no good!

Tried "straps" on elbow no improvement,   has any one any suggestions?  

For a short term solution a 10% ibuprofen gel may help. It helped me before I had a knee replacement, you can now buy it over the counter without a prescription.

nicko wrote:About 3 weeks ago I had some pain In my elbow,  still there and getting worse after 1 week.

doc said it's Tennis Elbow, said it could last 6 months OR MORE, gave me a pamphlet with exercises to do.

tried to do them but pain was severe,  now 3 weeks, no better and getting me down,  says injections no good!

Tried "straps" on elbow no improvement,   has any one any suggestions?  

You need to rest it.   I had frozen shoulder and it lasted over a year.   Make sure you lift things with your palm up and not down, as this reduces   the damage.   Massage is also good, I find.   It moves fresh blood into the muscles and eases the pain.

Edited to say, medical studies are now showing that tennis elbow is not an inflammatory condition as earlier thought.

Yoga and a spliff?