Shoulder and join pain

Hello Dr.,

I am a male 38. I have been having a dull pain in my right shoulder (next to my bicep) since the beginning of December 2008. I could barely move my arm across my chest. I went to my doctor and had it x-rayed (nothing) and she thought I hurt it and I had 'frozen shoulder'. I have been stretching it and getting massage therapy and it's been helping. Now, I'm experiencing joint pain in my fingers on my left hand and left shoulder for about a month now. The left should pain isn't bad and the dull pain comes and goes. my finger (middle finger first joint) is still painful ( maybe a 2 on a scale to 10).

Here's the kicker. I just found out my wife (42rs old) has been feeling the same thing in her left shoulder and left hand with some soreness for about two months now. Same spot on the left shoulder, however her pain is on the back side of her left hand near her knuckles.

I had my annual physical back in December 2008. My CBC is fine. I had HIV/ HSV (1,2) testing done a few years ago and all negative. When I pull up these symptoms online it shows it might be lupus. However, both of us is having the same issue and ALL of the websites state that lupus isn't contagious.

Any insight or thoughts?

Thanks in advance!!!

[J.M. Keyes, MD]

hi,
it doesn't sound to me like you have lupus, unless you are having other symptoms too; lupus is generally diagnosed if you have at least 4 of the following 11 criteria (and is not contagious, so would be very unlikely that both you and your wife would have it):

-Malar rash: butterfly-shaped rash across cheeks and nose
-Discoid (skin) rash: raised red patches
-Photosensitivity: skin rash as result of unusual reaction to sunlight
-Mouth or nose ulcers: usually painless
-Arthritis (nonerosive) in two or more joints, along with tenderness, swelling, or effusion. With nonerosive arthritis, the bones around joints don’t get destroyed.
-Cardio-pulmonary involvement: inflammation of the lining around the heart (pericarditis) and/or lungs (pleuritis)
-Neurologic disorder: seizures and/or psychosis
-Renal (kidney) disorder: excessive protein in the urine, or cellular casts in the urine
-Hematologic (blood) disorder: hemolytic anemia, low white blood cell count, or low platelet count
-Immunologic disorder: antibodies to double stranded DNA, antibodies to Sm, or antibodies to cardiolipin
-Antinuclear antibodies (ANA): a positive test in the absence of drugs known to induce it.

It is likely that your symptoms are musculoskeletal in nature, and that it is coincidence that your wife is having similar symptoms.  Also, it could be that because you participate in similar activities, you both have similar symptoms (eg tendonitis).

Infection can cause joint pain, and can spread from other parts of the body, though it is rare.  Generally if infection is the cause, the joints are tender, swollen, red, warm and painful.  If this sounds like your case, see your doctor urgently, as infected joints are a serious problem.

Good luck,
JMK MD

[harley_dog]

Hey Dr.,  

Just to add, I've been having sinus issue for a while now. I am not sure for how long. presure behind the nose and ears and sometime I would feel hot in the face. Some phlegm in the mornings. But it's clear.  

Can a sinus infection spread down to my joints?

Thanks!