How can you find proper care when you're experiencing severe joint pain and difficulty walking after being told you have markers for lupus?
First, take a deep breath - this is scary, but you're taking the right steps by seeking care. The severe joint pain and difficulty holding things you're experiencing are common lupus Show Full Answer
How can you find proper care when you're experiencing severe joint pain and difficulty walking after being told you have markers for lupus?
First, take a deep breath - this is scary, but you're taking the right steps by seeking care. The severe joint pain and difficulty holding things you're experiencing are common lupus symptoms that need attention from a specialist.
Here's what you should do right away:
• Call your primary care doctor immediately and explain the severity of your symptoms - emphasize that you can barely walk and are in severe pain
• Ask for an urgent referral to a rheumatologist (they specialize in lupus and autoimmune diseases)
• If your primary can't see you quickly enough, consider going back to urgent care or the ER for immediate symptom management
Your symptoms - extreme joint pain, difficulty walking, and inability to hold things - are serious enough that you shouldn't wait weeks for an appointment. Many MyLupusTeam members have experienced similar delays in getting diagnosed, with one member sharing they "had issues and felt sick for so many years and was not diagnosed until I was 63."
While waiting for specialist care, your primary doctor or urgent care can potentially prescribe temporary treatments like corticosteroids to help manage your pain and inflammation.
Don't settle for dismissive care. If you feel your concerns aren't being taken seriously, get a second opinion. Bring a friend or family member to appointments as support and to help advocate for you.
December 30, 2025
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