10 Joint Pain Triggers in Lupus

Nothing in my life is off limits when it comes to reducing my joint pain from lupus. I’ve tried all sorts of things, some drastic, some expensive, and even a few absurd measures. What finally worked for getting lupus joint pain under control for me was finding the right medications and lifestyle changes.

Nonetheless, I remember those years of extreme joint pain, and I carefully avoid my joint pain triggers when possible. In this article, I’ll be covering some of the most common joint pain triggers for those with lupus.

Common joint pain triggers in lupus

Skipping medication

There’s a very good reason that rheumatologists talk about the importance of medication in firmly wrangling lupus disease activity. Missing doses of medication can quickly lead to increased joint pain and other flare symptoms.

During my pregnancies, I was often too nauseous to eat, which meant I’d miss my meds that I took with food. I quickly experienced a lot of joint pain as a result.

When considering your medication options, it’s important to consider how easily you can stick to a routine, whether it involves taking a daily pill, doing a weekly injection, or undergoing a monthly infusion.

Poor sleep

Thanks to getting older and having lupus, I have realized that sleep is incredible nourishment for my body. We all need regular, quality sleep to keep inflammation at bay, minimize fatigue levels, and help with healing. Without it, our bodies can start to ache all too easily.

Stress

Short periods of stress are known to increase immune system activity, potentially causing flares, while chronic stress can weaken the immune system and lead to poor healing.1 It’s best to avoid both extremes. I also find that stress leads me to make poor choices that can lead to more flares.

Stress can be very difficult to manage, sometimes largely out of our control, making it one of the worst joint pain triggers. If there’s anything you can do to reduce stress, it’s more than worth it in the long run for your body.

Illness

Getting sick with a virus or infection can also increase immune system activity, frequently increasing lupus symptoms as well. You can work to minimize illness by trying to avoid germ exposure, getting treatment quickly if you are sick, and resting a lot on sick days.

Overdoing it

Autoimmune diseases are a bit like Goldilocks – don’t walk for too long, or it will hurt, but also don’t sleep too much, or it will hurt! It’s a constant search for balance in every activity.

Over-doing it with too many repetitive movements can also be a joint pain trigger – especially if you’re putting a lot of force into the movement. Gentle exercising and pacing, within your limits, will help you stay active for longer.

Underdoing it

Movement can be like medicine if done correctly. But how do you move around while flaring? It’s so hard!

Every time I’ve had periods of restricted movement, I’ve lost strength, leading to a cycle of bad posture, more pain, more rest, and thus even less strength. Gentle bed stretches can help, and seeing a physical or occupational therapist may be necessary if it’s been a long-term struggle.

Weather

Various weather conditions can be major joint pain triggers. Whether it’s the cold, heat, barometric changes, or the UV rays of the sun, weather issues are unpredictable and can be problematic. So much so, in fact, that some people with lupus have moved to different areas to mitigate weather-related joint pain.

Hormones

It’s possible that hormonal shifts from menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause can lead to increased joint pain. If you can predict these hormone fluctuations, it’s good to pay close attention to your body in case they cause a flare.

Smoking

Any smoke exposure is likely to increase lupus disease activity and lead to a flare.

The great unknown

For every joint pain flare-up where I’ve known the cause, there are probably twice as many that left me wondering. Perhaps it was a new food reaction, or something that seemed benign but was actually inflammatory. For those with lupus, we have to constantly play the detective and pay attention to how our body responds.

Working towards less joint pain

Eliminating joint pain triggers can be quite difficult and take a lot of effort. You’re not alone; many of us with lupus are working towards the same goal.

Start with the fundamentals of taking care of yourself – good nutrition, good sleep, exercise, taking your medications daily, protecting your body, pacing yourself, being proactive with medical care, and generally doing things that will make your life and mental health better. I’m cheering you on!

Which joint pain trigger causes the most flares for you?