I Need Advice!!! I've Got Terrible Tennis Elbow and A Shoot Today!

[SuzyView]

Help! I've been sporting an elbow thing and now have a soft brace on my right elbow. I don't know how it happened, but 2 Sundays ago, I woke up with terrible pain in my right arm. It hasn't really subsided much. And I have a shoot today. What can I do besides take pain killers. I've already taken a lot. It hurts from morning until I go to sleep, and has not bothered me since I played tennis in 1993.

I plan to use the tripod today, but for senior portraits, I have to stand up and hold the camera. I got a handstrap which secures the 5D, so the pain won't let me drop it, thank heavens! But with 2 cameras, the 70-200 2.8 IS on the 40D with grip, I'm in trouble.:evil:

[pos]

How about a monopod, You will have something to hold the camera and still beable to move around. Just some input. pos

[PhotosGuy]

but for senior portraits, I have to stand up and hold the camera If it were me, I'd just fold up the tripod legs & use it as a monopod. Then spread the legs when you need a break from holding it.
Good luck.

[SuzyView]

I brought the tripod, but forgot I took the little release off to put in the handstrap. But the family was patient with me and I brought my son. The 5D with 24-70, 580 on board was hard to balance, but I did it. And the 40D with grip and 430 was fine because I only had the 50 1.4 on it. I shot for about 1 1/2 hours and my arm is sore now, but it lasted the whole shoot. I'm hoping to go to the doctor this week to see if it's something more than tennis elbow. Thanks for the suggestions.

[August 15 Photography]

Man up!! Take two shots of cheap whiskey, a Vicodin and have a good time :)

[bieber]

Support as much weight as you possibly can with your left arm is about all I can say, short of rescheduling things if it gets too bad. Good to hear it all went well :)

[PhotosGuy]

but forgot I took the little release off to put in the handstrap. Sorry, I forgot to suggest using one. Mine always stays on the cam.

[gymell]

I get tendonitis in my left elbow (from softball, I'm a lefty) and I'd suggest icing it. When you're holding something with that arm, try to keep your elbow as close to your body as possible. Extending your arm while holding something increases the stress on that joint tremendously. Also there are are a couple of stretches you can do. Extend your right arm out straight, then take your other hand and bend the hand on your right arm. This will stretch your forearm muscles. For example, see the stretches shown here: http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/Handouts/tennis_elbow/tennis_elbow.html .

[SuzyView]

I get tendonitis in my left elbow (from softball, I'm a lefty) and I'd suggest icing it. When you're holding something with that arm, try to keep your elbow as close to your body as possible. Extending your arm while holding something increases the stress on that joint tremendously. Also there are are a couple of stretches you can do. Extend your right arm out straight, then take your other hand and bend the hand on your right arm. This will stretch your forearm muscles. For example, see the stretches shown here: http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/Handouts/tennis_elbow/tennis_elbow.html .

Thanks for the link, but just tried the exercises and almost died.:evil: Doctor tomorrow and then we'll talk exercises. :)

[gymell]

Sounds like your tendonitis is probably worse than mine. Those stretches usually feel pretty good to me! Definitely a good idea to see a doctor about it.

[SuzyView]

Doctor says I was correct, unfortunately. But I will be taking some anti-inflammatory pills and hopefully, it will ease. In 3 weeks, if it isn't better, I get cortisone shots. Hope it doesn't come to that.

[SoaringUSAEagle]

Ew yeah good luck Suzy. Shots are never fun. My mom had to go in to get shots in her foot a few years back. She then had a nice burr or whatever they call them removed from her foot that had grown roots. No wonder she was in pain.

[Mike J.]

you have probably already tried this but I get severe tennis elbow at times from flyfishing....I use one of the narrow bands that goes on your arm. It has a hard type cushion in the band which fits over the most tender location....It has worked miracles for me and completely eliminates the pain in 2-3 days.

[gymell]

I think another advantage of wearing a band or some sort of brace is that it's a physical reminder to be careful with that elbow. A lot of times I'll wear an elbow sleeve when I'm playing softball, not because of any pain, but just to remind myself to be careful when I'm throwing.

[erthpro]

Do everything possible to relieve the pain before taking the cortisone shots. I've been plagued with tendonitis for years and unfortunately rest is the best cure. Good Luck!

[SuzyView]

Resting for a day and there is a significant difference, but still, opening the peanut butter jar is definitely painful. But PB&J for the 8 year old is a must. Thanks for all the "support" here. :)

[KirkHMB]

Suzie
When I had tennis elbow, the doctor also had me wear a wrist brace to further reduce the activity the arm got. You probably notice that rolling the wrist up and down makes the arm hurt.

http://phillypharmacyinc.stores.yahoo.net/acewrbrwisps1.html

[Permagrin]

wow Suzy, I missed this. Hope the anit-inflammatories work well and you are feeling back to normal soon! :)

[SuzyView]

Thanks Kirk & Permie. I'm feeling better, but still can't straighten the arm out and I forget to rest it so I stress it at least 2 to 3 times a day to the point I'm almost in tears. But it is remarkably better after I take the 2 Alieve. I do feel stupider, which isn't fun. I think between my blood pressure meds and the Alieve, and I just finished anti-biotics. I think I'm falling apart. But feeling better. ;)