Lupus symptoms muscles
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Therefore, it is crucial to consult a doctor before starting or stopping any medication.
Lupus is a complex disease that can affect multiple systems in the body. However, if lupus remains uncontrolled for an extended period, joint damage may occur even when the disease is not active. But when you’re less active, your muscles get weaker — and that can make your joint pain worse.
Work with your rheumatologist to make a physical activity plan that’s right for you.
Additionally, prolonged use of high doses of glucocorticoids and steroids to treat lupus can lead to muscle weakness and bone damage. Lupus arthritis also usually lasts for shorter durations and may change location from one joint to another.
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Lupus Joint and Muscle Pain [February 2025 Update]
Close to 90% of people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) will have joint and muscle pain.
I recommend the brand InvigoFlex AM/PM as it is a pharmaceutical-grade product. Lupus arthritis can affect both large and small joints, including the knees, shoulders, elbows, wrists, fingers, and toes.
If you have great trouble getting help with your lupus pain, I highly recommend that you seek out a rheumatologist who can do ultrasounds in their office.
Managing Lupus Joint and Muscle Pain: Strategies for Relief
Effective management of lupus joint and muscle pain involves a comprehensive approach that includes medications and lifestyle adjustments.
Later on, you may have stiffness, muscle spasms, and limited movement in the affected joints. Other bone problems like avascular necrosis (AVN) are less common than joint and muscle problems. Lupus arthritis can be treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen. The immune system attacks healthy tissues, including joints, ligaments, and muscles, leading to pain, stiffness, and loss of range of motion.
Lupus can cause joint pain (arthralgia) and inflammation in and around the joints, resulting in problems like arthritis, tendonitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. If it's not improving, you might need medical attention.
Healthcare providers often classify myalgia as either localized (in one spot) or diffuse (all over). Ultrasound can identify whether the pain is from active lupus inflammation or not.
Unfortunately, fibromyalgia and permanent damage pains can be mistaken for inflammation pain and inappropriately treated with steroids or other strong immunosuppressant drugs, unnecessarily exposing patients to harmful side effects.
As AVN progresses, stiffness, muscle spasms, and limited movement in the affected joints may occur. Localized muscle pain or soreness in one spot is more likely related to an event, like an injury or recent stress on that muscle group. The arthritis seen in lupus patients is similar to rheumatoid arthritis, but it is less likely to cause permanent joint damage.
Joint problems related to lupus typically do not cause long-term damage.
Read my article at Lupus Corner on the science behind mindfulness and how to start doing it yourself.
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For more in-depth information on joint and muscle pain:
Read chapter 7 of The Lupus Encyclopedia, edition 2
Look up your symptoms, conditions, and medications in the Index of The Lupus Encyclopedia
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This blog post article was edited and contributed to by Donald Thomas, MD; author of “The Lupus Encyclopedia.” Parts of this blog post come from “The Lupus Encyclopedia: A Comprehensive Guide for Patients and Health Care Providers, edition 2“
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Excerpt from chapter 7, “The Musculoskeletal System,” on joint and muscle pain:
The musculoskeletal system is comprised of the muscles (musculo-), bones (“skeletal”), joints, and adjacent structures (such as tendons).
Most people with lupus experience problems with their joints, muscles, or bones. It most often affects joints farther from the middle of the body, like fingers, wrists, elbows, knees, ankles, and toes.
Lupus arthritis is typically less severe than rheumatoid arthritis, with less swelling and stiffness.