Reoccuring Tendonitis - seeking new treatments

[LazyMoose]

I've had reoccurring tendonitis for years, witch I believe was brought on from Hashimotos thyroid disease. When my thyroid labs are at the levels that work best for me, tendonitis is minimal. It could be possible (likely) that I have scare tissue on various tendon areas (muscles too) from being hypothyroid for years, so I  am continuously learning to improve this tightness condition.

Unfortunately there is no place specifically on MH that I have seen for muscle and tendon issues (there should be). It is amaising how tight muscles or tendonitis in adjacent areas spread and cause pain in other areas - many are unaware of this. This prevents many physically active people from do whatever it is they like doing. I have practiced acupressure and trigger point therapy on whatever areas seem to be problematic - this works for treatment after tightness sets in, and is many times a way to prevent going to the chiropractor.  I am looking for a PREVENTIVE, to stop the occurrence if possible.

Magnessium glycinate at night does offer some preventive care to lesson the chances of occurrence during and after exercise. B vitamins, D, Calcium suppliments seem to make no difference.

After figuring out my thyroid condition with much help from the thyroid forum here (no thanks to Dr's), muscle and tendon discomfort might be my next 'mission'.

Any experiences? What have others done? Any other supplement ideas?

I might post this in several related MH forums.

thanks

[Paxiled]

Personally don't think Wobenzyme does a thing.  I've got a lot of body problems now as well due to long-term stress -- not thyroid, but similar kind of internal stress that eventually tires the body out and manifests in pain.  A lot of supplements that helped me before this problem don't do as well now, which is to be expected, but they might help you.  A better product, in my opinion, than Wobenzyme is Inflazyme Forte by American Biologics.  A lot more expensive, but just my opinion.  It's been around a lot longer, but only natural health professionals know much about it.  But don't expect miracles, and a combination of things helps better naturally than any one thing.  As for turmeric, I'd take it on a regular basis (that's the circumin Gym mentions above -- it's one active constituent of turmeric and generally turmeric is standardized to it) not just for its antiinflammatory properties, but also for it's beneficial effect on the liver.

[LazyMoose]

Just read some reviews on Wobenzym - sounds like amazing stuff.

[gymdandee]

Eating the right foods literally feeds your joints and keeps them strong and flexible. Foods like fish and walnuts or almonds contain essential fatty acids that lubricate those "rusty joints" in your knees, elbows, and knuckles.
try water aerobics.  the water can also soothe aching joints. Unless you eat fatty fish like salmon or sardines on most days, you're simply not getting enough healthy omega-3 fats-or their anti-inflammatory benefits. You want to get two specific omega-3s in particular: EPA and DHA. The best source for both is fish oil. Aim for 1,000-3,000 mg total DHA and EPA. That's three to nine capsules a day of most brands.
There are also a lot of useful herbal anti-inflammatories, including rosemary, curcumin, and ginger. an excellent product from New Chapter called Zyflamend, which includes all of these herbs in addition to seven other herbs known for their joint supporting benefits. a German product called Wobenzym It includes two enzymes-papain from papaya and bromelain from pineapple.The bottle says to take three tablets twice a day, but some people need up to eight tablets three times a day. You can find it in some health food stores, but it's much cheaper to order it from the Internet. Also try  RUTA GRAVEOLENS For tendonitis.

[LazyMoose]

Well, thyroid does have an effect on all body parts, digestion and the nervous system too.

When people are low in T3 (some dont convert well from T4) muscle pain and tendonitis happens to some people, it is repeatedly brought up in the thyroid board. This is why T4 meds dont always alleviate body pain with hashimoto. T3 is a key player in the ATP process. So low T3 will slow down healing, and increase possible injury, and aggravate past injuries.

My story is , yes I was in impact sports to some extent for 25 years. And I now know that I had Hashimoto since a teen but not diagnosed till 30, now 44. I pulled muscles and was susceptible to tendonitis more than normal for the athlete that I was. So being physically active along with Hashimoto set me up for injury - all the while no one knew what was going on. And even after diagnosis, T 4 (the gold standard for hashimoto) med did not work for me, still had symtoms. Recovery took longer than normal after exercise, not as much now that I found a thyroid med that my body responds very well to just last year.

Had Physical therapy for my neck, low back, forearms, feet, hamstrings all in the last 5 years. I get a lot of tight spots in the various hip flexors - that can start a snowball effect on back pain. Several PT's said they could feel scar tissue in various areas. It all vastly improved with my new thyroid med last year, but treating tissue that took a 'set' from injury is what I need to figure out. Thats why I learned acupressure point- it helps. Some PT's are really into teach you, they're great - not all though.

Think I will try MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin sulfates again. Skullcap - new to me, i'll look into it.

I take turmeric at times of flair up.

Life is too short to spend weekends on a couch. But being sore is not fun either.

[Paxiled]

You haven't said where the tendonitis is, and you also mention muscle pain, which is something different.  There is no reason I know why thyroid problems would lead to this problem unless there is a sleep deprivation or anxiety or adjunct.  Either might respond more long-term to meditation or relaxation therapy.  On the other hand, if the thyroid is still causing this problem, then the medication isn't actually at optimum levels.  So assuming this is something other than thyroid, what is it?  Overwork?  Past high impact sports or work?  In other words, an injury?  There are supplements that have helped some people.  The best known are probably MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin sulfates.  There are natural anti-inflammatories, such as boswellia, proteolytic enzymes, devil's claw, ginger, turmeric, Chinese skullcap, and many others.  If the magnesium is helping, that indicates muscle pain.  Regular skullcap can be useful with this as well.  Homeopathic arnica montana can help.  Lots of stuff to try.  Physical therapy or sports therapy can help if it's an injury or overwork problem.  Just a lot to try.  Good luck.  

[LazyMoose]

Thanks for the info, however my thyroid is under control with thyroid replacement hormone - the natural type. Hashimoto is the form of hypothyroid that is an auto immune inflammation disease - my thyroid is physically damaged from that, so I need daily thyroid replacement.

I'm really asking about preventing future tendonitis flare ups.

[hava]

Thyroid point – press the fleshy bit on palm between  the base of thumb and wrist on both hands. If you feel pain when you press, then you have thyroid problem.
You can press this points regularly several times. When the pain is gone, the thyroid will be under control.