Joint pain, arthritis, musculoskeletal

X-ray of lupus joint and muscle pain

Lupus Joint and Muscle Pain [February 2025 Update]

April 17, 2024

Close to 90% of people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) will have joint and muscle pain. Fortunately, today’s lupus therapies reduce arthritis pain in most patients.

In this article, we’ll look at the effects of lupus on joints and …

Bisphosphonate drugs and lupus

Bisphosphonate Drugs and Lupus

July 27, 2023

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wrist brace for joint protection for the wrist with lupus arthritis

Joint Protection Advice for Lupus Arthritis

March 5, 2023

Joint Protection Advice for Lupus Arthritis

Joint protection is essential in dealing with pain. When you rest a painful joint or tendon, you help decrease inflammation, damage, and degeneration. The techniques described below should be used for all types of …

White woman with shoulder pain fibromyalgia autoimmune disease blog post

Is Fibromyalgia an Autoimmune Disease? Research suggests “YES!”

August 28, 2022

Research Article:

Passive transfer of fibromyalgia symptoms from patients to mice

Goebel A, Krock E, Gentry C, Israel MR, Jurczak A, Urbina CM, Sandor K, Vastani N, Maurer M, Cuhadar U, Sensi S, Nomura Y, Menezes J, Baharpoor A, Brieskorn …

A man with trigger finger due to tenosynovitis

Now Research Shows: Lupus tendinitis, common cause of lupus pain

June 6, 2021

Jaccoud’s arthropathy due to lupus tendinitis (lupus tendonitis) and lupus tenosynovitis

What is lupus tendinitis (also spelled lupus tendonitis)?

Lupus tendinitis (lupus tendonitis) and tenosynovitis are common in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The tendons are sinewy, inelastic fibrous tissue

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I am Dr. Donald Thomas, MD, a rheumatologist treating hundreds of lupus patients for over 30 years. Read my first blog post here to understand why I started this website and blog about “The Lupus Encyclopedia” and “The Lupus Secrets”.

Dr. Don Thomas also enjoys educating and empowering doctors, medical students, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and patients.

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Lupus and the Nervous System

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Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Due to Proton Pump Inhibitors

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How to collect a urine sample properly for testing (UPDATED January 2025)

It is essential for lupus patients to regularly collect an accurate clean catch urine sample

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Lupus Stomach Medications: Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and problems are common in lupus patients and can significantly impact their quality of life.

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Managing Bone Health With Bisphosphonate Drugs

Individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at increased risk of broken bones (fractures) due to osteoporosis. Increasing

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CNS Lupus: When Lupus Affects the Brain & Spine

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Lupus and The Eyes

Lupus, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect multiple organs and systems,

Lupus and gastro issues

Lupus and Gastro Issues [March 2025 Update]

Lupus and its treatments can affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from the mouth to the intestines. Mouth sores

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Lupus and Hepatitis B Vaccine: Endorsed in the CDC guidelines

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Allergies and Itching after COVID vaccine? Announcing Research Here

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Covid-19 Vaccine for Lupus Patients: Please get your vaccine

Should We be Recommending the COVID-19 Vaccine for Lupus Patients?: Yes! What I tell my systemic lupus patients

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Lupus and Thyroid Medications

Lupus and thyroid disease go hand in hand. The thyroid gland, which is situated at the front of

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Lupus and The Digestive System

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), commonly known as lupus, is an autoimmune disorder that can affect nearly every organ

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Understanding Lupus Life Expectancy [Feb 2025 Update]

Dr. Thomas has systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients in their 70s, 80s, and 90s! Living with lupus is

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Benlysta During Pregnancy: Safe and Effective [UPDATE July 2024]

July 2024 Update on Benlysta in Pregnancy A review in the British Medical Journal discussed the recent studies

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CBD for Lupus: Look here for the best advice [2023 Update]

Medical Marijuana (Cannabis, Cannabinoids, THC, CBD for Lupus)? Should patients use CBD or other cannabis products for lupus?

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Anifrolumab FDA Approval to Treat Systemic Lupus [Saphnelo February 2025 Update]

Anifrolumab (Saphnelo) is the 2nd FDA-approved biologic to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The first biologic was belimumab

COVID-19 vaccine for lupus patients answer by Dr. Don Thomas

Lupus and COVID vaccine: Tested in the clinical trials = safe and effective!

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Lupkynis vs Benlysta for Lupus Nephritis: Dr. Thomas Has His Verdict!

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Weight Loss & Exercise in Lupus: the science & patient view [March 2025 Update]

Weight loss & exercise provide many benefits to lupus patients. Healthcare providers consider exercise as “free medication” with

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What to Know about a Lupus Nephritis Urine Sample [UPDATED June 2024]

Lupus patients should provide a urine sample regularly to see if there is possible inflammation of the kidneys

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COVID Vaccine for Immunocompromised Patients and What Drugs to Stop [December 2023 UPDATE]

The American College of Rheumatology Provides Guidance for stopping drugs to enhance the COVID vaccine for immunocompromised patients

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Hair and Skin Problems in Lupus [Feb 2025 Update]

Most individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) experience skin involvement or hair loss. There are many different types

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Antibody Levels After COVID Vaccine

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Heparin versus Warfarin for Lupus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can lead to blood clots through various mechanisms. In addition, lupus patients are at

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How does Hydroxychloroquine work for Lupus (SLE)? [February 2025 Update]

Did you know that using hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) to help lupus patients was discovered by accident? Since that accidental

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Benlysta for pediatric lupus nephritis: FDA-approved

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Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine: Now see me excited to get it

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Colossal Shortage of Rheumatologists is Here: Panic?

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Lupus Tendonitis: A Common Cause of Pain in Lupus Patients

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