"Colin Wilson" o.uk wrote
in message ...

I've had something building up for about 4 months and it finally hit
crisis point on tuesday - couldnt bend or straighten my lefy arm at
all (i'm left handed), couldn't pick a phone up or hold a pen, severe
pain trying to move fingers at all - even a couple of mm, and
discolouration (darkening) of the arm and hand - it's also swollen.

Went to docs weds am and got an injection in the elbow... he said it'd
take a couple of days to kick in.

I know it's only thursday night, but there's no relief at all, in fact
at times it seems to be intensifying with pain hitting even when
keeping it still, but this comes in waves - often shortly AFTER taking
painkillers (ibuprofen and dihydrocodeine 30mg). I think i'm getting
numbness and tingling a bit more often now as well...

Has anyone else had this, who can give me a clue how quick the
injections normally start to work ?

A cortisone injection (which I am guessing it was) does, as the doctor says,
often take a few days to have effect.

The NHS Direct site simply suggests calling 999 !NOW!

If I had discolouration and swelling, I would certainly at least go down to
A&E and ask someone to look at it.

Colin Bignell