Autoimmune Conditions That Commonly Cause Pain

Pain is one of the most common and complex symptoms across autoimmune conditions, and it often shows up differently depending on the disease.

Why It Matters

Pain in autoimmune disease isn’t just physical—it’s often systemic, unpredictable, and emotionally draining. It can stem from inflammation, nerve damage, tissue changes, or even medication side effects. Recognizing the type and pattern of pain helps tailor treatment and validate the lived experience.

Here's a breakdown of how Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), and Sjögren’s Disease (SjD)—along with other autoimmune conditions—cause pain:

Condition	Type of Pain	Description
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)	Inflammatory spinal pain	Chronic stiffness and pain in the lower back, hips, and spine; worsens with rest and improves with movement
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)	Symmetrical joint pain	Persistent inflammation in joints (hands, wrists, knees); often worse in the morning or after inactivity
Sjögren’s Disease (SjD)	Joint, muscle, and nerve pain	Aching joints, muscle soreness, and burning nerve pain; often overlaps with fibromyalgia
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)	Joint and muscle pain	Widespread pain, fatigue, and inflammation; may mimic RA symptoms
Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)	Joint and tendon pain	Pain in joints and at tendon/ligament insertion points (enthesitis); often with skin symptoms
Polymyositis	Muscle pain and weakness	Inflammation of skeletal muscles causing pain and difficulty with movement
Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma)	Musculoskeletal and nerve pain	Tight skin, joint stiffness, and nerve-related pain due to tissue fibrosis

Pain is a powerful signal, and in autoimmune conditions, it often reflects deeper systemic inflammation, nerve involvement, or tissue damage. 

While this post highlights some of the most common autoimmune diseases that cause pain—like AS, RA, and Sjögren’s—they’re far from the only ones. Conditions such as lupus, vasculitis, mixed connective tissue disease, and even autoimmune thyroid disorders can also bring complex, chronic pain into daily life. 

If you're living with unexplained pain, know that your experience is real, and you deserve compassionate care and thorough investigation. Understanding the root of autoimmune pain is the first step toward relief, advocacy, and reclaiming your quality of life.