Woke up with weak shoulders… should I speak to GP or just wait for rheum appt?

[lborgia]

Have been gradually getting worse symptoms of AI disease, given the ANA results and signs, GP reckons lupus.

I am finally seeing the rheumatologist on Friday, but after my hands feets and other joints having been getting painful/stiff/weak, I’ve woken this morning to serious pain/stiffness in my shoulders, one much more than the other, and I realise that shoulder has dropped lower than the other.

Taken some Voltarol and that’s definitely helped, but for some reason this is spooking me more than any of the other signs. I can still type, slowly, but unlike the other symptom, this seems quite dramatic, and also the feeling more “unwell”, and I’ve stayed in bed today.

Obviously I”m not expecting anyone to have had this specific symptom, but wondering if sudden onset of new symptoms is something to be checked out, or just par for the course.

Any advice, soothing noises gratefully received!

Promise not to do this again, but just a very small bump whilst i”m up having a

I have no experience of Lupus so I can't comment on that.
I have had MS for 30+ years and am used to new symptoms just appearing/worsening. It's a pain in the arse having to decide if the symptoms are worth being seen for now or just waiting for a booked appointment because they are likely to be 'just'MS.
Does your GP have an online 'ask a dr a question' service?

PS sorry that you're feeling grotty..

If one side of your body has changed and is reacting differently, please don’t assume it is lupus, please call 111 and get checked, as changes to one side of the body can be indicative of minor stroke (especially coupled with the feeling unwell).

Yes, as per previous poster, I don't think you can assume it's related, therefore please get checked to rule out stroke.

@FlowersFlowersEverywhere - Thanks for replying, although pretty sure it’s more of the same, as it’s a shoulder joint/tendon/connective tissue issue, not a whole shoulder/arm thing iyswim. Also, absolutely no other issues. But of course will bare in mind if anything else odd happens.

@Pomtiddly - love the name - thanks, yes, I could call and speak to them (not in the UK, can you tell?!), but feel as if I’m there weekly at the moment, and just bored of myself let alone what they think! Meanwhile, without wishing to sound like one of the lentil weavers, have you tried/had any luck with extra things, like diet etc. I’m absolutely a pharma-using person, so completely understand if you’re all about the drugs rather than string and sealing wax! Just curious about how to sort the useful from the ridiculous. There’s so much stuff out there.

I will try and get some sleep and see if I have a clearer perspective when I get up. It makes no sense, I’m usually very sensible about this stuff, but for some reason I’ve just reached the end of my tether at this particular point and would happily never speak to a dr again.

OK, well reading back what I wrote I realise I’m being ridiculous, and I’ve left a message for someone to call me back. I’ve seen that the symptoms I have indicate a different AI problem which needs attention, so they can decide what if anything, needs to be done.

Cheers, for the advice, and company.

Good move @lborgia
Early on I did the diet and food supplement things listed on the MS Trust site for a few years but it was quite restrictive and I was still having relapses.
The best things for me were:
betaferon injections which slowed the relapses for several years.
Physio-preventative rather than waiting for a crisis
Medication
Knowing I had a yearly review and could contact the service in between if I had difficulties.
Being under a Consultant at a research centre who told me about relevant trials/results
I hope you find things that work for you

Thanks Pom, that is really very helpful. Just spoke to the GP (I know, please don’t hate me), and she has been excellent re: triaging my symptoms, and what to take/what not to take, and bottom line is wait for the appt.

Still feel ridiculously embarrassed, but that’s an entirely artificial construct and says far more about me than her!

I'm glad you have a good relationship with your gp, that's worth its weight in gold. Prior to being diagnosed with MS I rarely saw my gp, after diagnosis things I needed see him for always seemed to come in clusters and the receptionist started to recognise me. I recognise that feeling of embarrassment but when you've got to go , you've got to go...good luck for Friday