Left arm is killing me today

[christianirc]

My left arm, from my shoulder down to my hand is killing me today.  My hand is about useless. It feels like dead weight and somewhat numb.  This is a problem because I use a wheelchair.  I don't know if this is from the chiari or inflammation from my lupus.  It's bad enough I took another pain pill today.  I took one yesterday for headaches.  I never take them 2 days in a row because I have lung problems and they give me shortness of breath (kind of like sleep apnea while awake).  I hope it is from lupus inflammation and not chiari because I don't want it to be permanent.

[itsy1]

I hope the new med increase and the panlor helps.

[christianirc]

I saw my lupus doctor yesterday and he increased my steroids.  He says if that doesn't help let him know.  The steroid increase was in case this is caused by lupus inflammation as opposed to the chiari.  He also prescribed me a new (well new to me) pain med called panlor.

[christianirc]

Thank you very much.  I'm seeing my rheumatologist tomorrow so maybe he can figure it out.

[itsy1]

Is there any way you can contact your doc/ doc's nurse about this?
Do you think you were having "Chiari headaches"?
Is there a possiblity your wheelchair could've aggrivated your arm and shoulder?

I'm sorry I can't be of help.  I know this is painful and frustrating.  I thought perhapse offering a few questions might be of help.

Fwiw, here's my background: I don't know much about lupus; however, I do have Chiari I with syringomyelia and Ehlers Danlos Syndrom issues.  The nerve damage I have in my right upper body can affect me a lot like you're describing.  For me any or all of the following: increased CSF pressure, hormones, being in a bad postural position, the weather, and stress: kick off realy bad symptoms.  I wind up taking anti inflamitories and using my splints 'till things calmn down.

I hope things settle down quickly for you and you're able to find out what's going on.