Does arthritic elbow mean I can't lift weights?

[Melody68]

Hi, I'm 69 and started lifting some weights when I started T a year ago, but stopped soon after. I thought I had started too fast and given myself a case of tennis elbow. I gave it 7 months of rest; it got a bit better so I started lifting again. I've been lifting about 5 months and have made some amazing gains, but the elbow is hurting more and more . . . at this point I thinks it's old fashioned arthritis. When exercising I put on elbow wraps and sometimes top those off with a tension band on top. Afterwards it's ice . . . and plenty of hope. I've started on fish oil since I hear that might help.

I love the combined impact of exogenous Testosterone and exercise on my body. But am I fooling myself? Will I have to stop exercising because of the elbow? Any suggestions?

 

[excelnelg]

Look into trying a therapeutic dose of nandrolone.

 

[Guided_by_Voices]

I've had tons of joint issues, they come with lifting and living, but thankfully they've all pretty much resolved and I'm lifting as much as ever for the most part. Look through the tread "Fixes for Joint Issues."

A few highlights and things I need to go back and add to the other thread:
- DMSO is essential, but can take a week or two to show results. I use the 100% solution but I would start with 70%. Put the cream on your elbow several times per day.
- Make sure your form is impeccable. Lower the weight very slowly. Try to figure out what aggravates your problem and avoid that thing.
- Proper warm-up is essential
- I am not a fan of ice, and I think it can make the problem worse. I prefer heat.
- Boron, Curcumin, Glucosamine and chondrioten, and collogen and glycine
- Consider adding some Nandrolone to your TRT
- Try red light therapy. One of the $90 Face masks sold on amazon will work well.
- BPC 157 is worth trying as a topical or patch. I have had great results.
- Consistent Ibuprofen use can promote CVD and is not a good idea, but using it pre-workout once or twice a week may help as long as you are super-careful about your form. Or occassional aceteminophen.
- If you can find movements that don't hurt but work the same thing you're trying to work when you have pain, consider those. What movements give you pain?
- Avoid max-effort reps. Add sets, not intensity.
- Watch for other things that can affect the joint. When I had elbow pain (which I think was cubital tunnel syndrome) I had to keep my elbow padded if I put it on desk or armchair or pushed my car door open with it because it would re-aggravate the problem.
-Unkers Therapeutic rub seems to help, although I don't know if it's just masking the pain or helping to heal it.
- Exosomes may be a good option fairly soon, but try the above.

 

[Melody68]

Hey Guided, this is fantastic information, more than I could have hoped for. I'll start with the non-invasive suggestions and then work my way up from there.

I lifted weights at various times in my life, never seriously, just Joe Weider garage stuff. But one thing I always seemed to believe is that you need to go heavy or go home. So I think my form gets sloppy when I'm getting near the max. And I never paid much attention to eccentric movements, and upon reading today about it, I see that it could help with something like sore joints. So I'll reduce my max weights by 20%, and focus on slow eccentric movements with maybe a set or two extra, worth a try . . .

I also like the idea of trying the ibuprofen a couple of hours before the workout. And I'll pick up some curcumin at Costco. If those things don't work then I'll try the DMSO or BPC 157 next. So I've got a plan, thanks again!