If you have lupus, you likely experience fatigue, joint pain, and possibly even fevers. But lupus can also cause symptoms in your arms and other parts of your body too. In fact, several MyLupusTeam members have mentioned waking up unable to move their arm.

“I woke up this morning and I couldn’t use my right arm. It wasn’t tingling as if it fell asleep. I can barely move it now,” one MyLupusTeam member shared.

If you’ve experienced this type of numbness or tingling in your arm, you may be wondering if it’s related to your condition or caused by something else. Here’s what you need to know about the potential causes, including inflammatory arthritis, a frozen shoulder, or even a stroke.

Other Potential Causes of Morning Arm Numbness

Waking up with numbness in your arm can feel scary. But it’s not uncommon among the MyLupusTeam community.

“I often get numbness in both arms. They dangle and feel dead and useless. Sometimes, I also get bolts of bad pain in them,” one member shared.

Others have mentioned similar symptoms. “I often wake up, and I do not have the strength to lift my arm or close my right hand,” a member said.

There are a number of potential causes for this morning arm numbness, some of which are a medical emergency. Here are some causes to consider.

Inflammatory Arthritis and Joint Stiffness

Lupus can cause joint inflammation, or inflammatory arthritis, that causes your joints to feel stiff, tender, warm, and swollen. The joints most often affected include your fingers, elbows, knees, and ankles. The swelling of a joint can also put pressure on nearby nerves, leading to numbness, tingling, or pain.

As one MyLupusTeam member described, “Sometimes, I sleep on my arm wrong, and it feels like I have pinched a nerve. It usually takes more time to wake up in the morning.”

You may also experience inflammation in the tendons of your shoulder, known as tendinitis, or in the muscles of your upper arms and shoulders, called myositis. This inflammation can be painful and cause weakness. You may even have trouble lifting your arm.

Ask your rheumatologist for treatment and lifestyle suggestions if you think lupus is causing your joint problems, arm numbness, or muscle weakness.

Frozen Shoulder

Sometimes, people with lupus experience shoulder immobility known as frozen shoulder. This condition — also known as adhesive capsulitis — involves inflammation and tightening of the tissues around your shoulder joint. Frozen shoulder can lead to difficulty moving your arm as well as shoulder pain and stiffness.

In people with lupus, frozen shoulder is a separate condition. In fact, doctors aren’t sure what causes it, though it could be triggered by a sedentary lifestyle or other health conditions.

If you have symptoms of a frozen shoulder, your healthcare provider may recommend physical therapy with a focus on shoulder flexibility, anti-inflammatory medications, or even steroids in some cases. The key is to let your provider know at the first sign of symptoms so you can get treatment.

Stroke

If you have lupus, your stroke risk may be higher than that of the general population. A recent study found that people who lived with lupus had more than twice the risk of stroke than people who didn’t. You also have a higher risk of developing antiphospholipid antibodies, or abnormal proteins produced by your immune system.

These antibodies can trigger blood clots. About 50 percent of people with lupus have these antibodies and could eventually experience a clot. If you consistently have high levels of these antibodies, you could even be diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).

APS, also called sticky blood syndrome, is a major cause of strokes in people younger than 50. Other risk factors for stroke include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.

That’s why it’s so important to know the signs of a stroke — or the acronym BE FAST:

• B — Balance loss
• E — Eye or vision changes
• F — Face drooping
• A — Arm weakness
• S — Speech difficulties
• T — Time to call 911

Even if these symptoms disappear after a few minutes, they could still indicate a transient ischemic attack (TIA) and require emergency care. In fact, about one-third of people who experience a TIA will eventually have a stroke. So be sure to call 911 if you have signs of a stroke, even if your symptoms later disappear.

How To Manage Morning Arm Numbness

If your healthcare provider has determined that your arm numbness isn’t related to a stroke, frozen shoulder, or another issue, you may benefit from home remedies to help relieve your discomfort. But always talk to your provider before trying any at-home treatment.

Here are some remedies MyLupusTeam members have suggested for waking up with a numb arm or shoulder.

Mobility Exercises and Stretches

Sometimes, you can manage arm numbness at home by doing some mobility exercises or stretching. If the problem is related to sleeping in an awkward position, moving your arm around in a controlled way may help to get your blood pumping again.

“I would just have to work it out slowly by moving it a little at a time,” one member said.

Ask your healthcare provider or physical therapist for a stretching routine that’s designed with your needs in mind. Doing the right stretches can increase your mobility and reduce your pain. Just make sure to go slowly so you don’t injure yourself.

Self-Massage

Massaging the affected area can sometimes improve blood flow.

“My husband would rub my shoulder until my circulation came back,” one member said.

You may also want to talk to your healthcare provider about myofascial release therapy, a type of gentle massage that targets trigger points to release tension. This type of massage is often helpful for people who have frozen shoulder or compressed nerves.

Over-the-Counter Medications

If you’re experiencing arm pain and looking for pain relief, talk to your healthcare provider about which medications are safe for you. If you have lupus nephritis or another kidney disease, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) may not be right for you.

Many medical professionals recommend that people with lupus nephritis avoid regular use of NSAIDs such as ibuprofen for over-the-counter pain relief. The key is to talk to your doctor first before taking any medications including supplements.

When To Get Help

If you find that you awaken with morning arm numbness, pay attention. It could be a sign of a serious underlying condition like a stroke, especially if the numbness is new, doesn’t resolve, or gets worse even after you change positions.

Here are some signs that you should call 911 right away:

• Sudden numbness or muscle weakness on one side of your body, such as in your arm, leg, or face
• Trouble walking, issues with balance, or lack of coordination
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Severe headache without a known cause
• Seeing double or having other issues with vision

You should also keep your healthcare provider informed any time you experience an odd sensation for the first time.

Your rheumatologist can help you find the cause of arm numbness. They may order imaging, run blood tests, or refer you to a neurologist for further evaluation. Using this information, they can develop a treatment plan that addresses your morning arm numbness along with your other lupus symptoms.