Severe and Persistent Tricep Pain, Doctors Useless. Need Help

Sorry you're still struggling. It's only my opinion but the fact that the problem is bilateral makes it less likely to be a nerve issue. You might google rhabdomyolsis. This used to be a very rare condition but is becoming more common with 'extreme' fitness competitions like crossfit and the triceps are particularly susceptible. It's possible you had a mild case years ago and are still recovering.

Try accupuncture. I had some serious tendonitis in my right forearm and nothing would fix it; until of course, I went to a very talented accupuncturist.

I'll try acupuncture. But from what I understand that is at best temporary relief, right?

Dry needling scares me because I have read that there are instances it does not work and actually causes further damage.

Check this book out:
The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Clair Davies, $10 used at Amazon. I've had some success with it. I also have a really old injury, in my shoulder/upper back area(frozen shoulder).

I go to a massage therapist who does the trigger point work. It helps, but its really painful & $$.

With this book, you may be able to work on it much more frequently yourself than with PT or paying for massage.

Good luck

The dangers from dry needling are very low, ~0.003% incidence of infection or pueumothorox from the latest study I've read which ranks it among the safest medical procedures available. People who perform traditional Chinese acupuncture have in some instances been bad mouthing dry needling because it is reducing their business. In some states like CA where a state acupuncture board exists they have successfully prohibited PT's and Chiropractors from performing dry needling. This is simply a political situation that has nothing to do with the safety or efficacy of the procedure. Ultimately the consumer (patient) suffers which is unfortunate.

I personally have never heard of an instance where dry needling has made a patients injury or dysfunction worse. The whole point of dry needling is to identify trigger points (muscle knots) or taunt muscular bands and release them with the needle. The insertion of the needle triggers a reflexive neurological response which normalizes muscle tone. There are now literally hundreds of papers written in peer reviewed medical journals which discuss the physiological responses to needling.

I really don't know much about acupuncture, but the English papers that I have read still discuss energy blockages and using the needle to undo these blockages. Please note that I am not bashing acupuncture, it has been around for over a thousand years and it's results are undeniable. However the science leaves a little to be desired and I believe that this is why Insurance companies frequently cover dry needling and not acupuncture. Bottom line is that I believe you could possibly benefit from either procedure.

I'd re-think tendinosis. Your history fits, and the scans can't rule out the possibility entirely. Histology would show it, but I would talk with a DC before going further.

I too suffered from chronic and persistent tricep pain. My only relief came from swimming freestyle in a heated pool. The consistent and smooth movements lengthen and contract the tricep muscle. While doing the stroke focus on your technique by bending your elbow as it comes out of the water and then extend the arm as far out in front of you as possible (pretend someone is pulling your arm on a rope from the other end of the pool) and then pull your arm down against the resistance of the water below your body. The water resistance part is really important so don’t forget to focus on this. I may be stating the obvious but many people can’t swim and just splash their arms about.