elbow problem! how do i know if it's bursitis/tendonitis or something else?

[Tom]

hi everyone! well, been dealing with a elbow problem for a few months now, the ache, strong ache is to the left of the elbow "bone" and top of the forearm. not excruciating or shooting pain, but always there even when i don't work out. anyway went to a doctor who diagnosed it as both bursitis and tendonitis and got me on inflammatory steroids like predisone, and other stuff.....

it helped for a bit and i got a second refill, which i'm now done with and yet i still have the problem.

i rested it for 2 weeks about a month and a half ago, doing no lifting at all, and i now have once again not lifted in over a week and yet the problem still persists, anyway...

i wonder how can i tell if the doctor knows what the hell their talking about? what i mean is how do i know it's not bursitis or tendonitis but maybe an actual strain or slight tear of this muscle/tendon around the elbow?

the doctor didnt think i need an x-ray or m.r.i. to diagnose the problem?

and some will suggest just more rest, but hell what if the problem last 3 months, what i'm not going to lift for 3 months?

i'm kind of thinking that just keep on using icy hot on the area, wear my elbow brace and as long as the feeling doesnt' become horrible pain or i feel like something is about to rip off in that area, just go ahead and keep on lifting and just monitor it!

[ALLTRIS]

I think you awnsered your own question. If it takes 3 months then that's what it's going to take. rest, ice, compression, blah blah blah and tell the Dr. to give you a cortisone shot or two. Take as much time as it takes until the pain is gone. Rethink your workouts while your healing, what were you doing and what could you do different, maybe your gripping the bar wrong, maybe you need to switch up the days you do certain exercises to give your elbow more rest. Work on your legs and abs like crazy in the mean time. Bottom line your body is telling you something and I know 3 months seems like a long time but if you ruin your arm and can't ever lift which is worse???...

[Rimbaud]

Enjoy you tennis elbow...

[Newtothegame]

I recently had a problem with tennis elbow and the doc told me to back off of lifting. Not going to happen so I did some reasearch and discovered that tennis elbow is caused by the muscle/ tendon that is used to keep the wrist straight so I began using "Bengay" and a compresssion wrap as well as wrapping my wrist it helped a ton.