I'm not a doctor, but I play one on the internet. It's a symptom of my deep rooted desperate desire to be Gregory House, MD, warts and all.
For starters, you do not have lupus. I'm 100% positive about that.
There are numerous causes of neck pain that radiates to the arm. But here's one way that you perhaps could narrow the possibilities. Take a look at this picture:
If your pain extends to a specific colored area(s), you likely have nerve involvement in the corresponding disc area. If this is true, you will want to get a referral to an orthopedist (preferable) or an osteopathist as soon as possible especially since your other treatment modalities have been ineffective.
But even if you do have the pain in those specific areas, it doesn't necessarily mean you have nerve involvement. You could have other causes even psychological as difficult as that may seem to be.
If it turns out that an individual does have nerve involvement, it's preferred that individual undergoes incremental steps. Heat/ice, meds, physical therapy, electrical stimulation, epidural injections, and then if all else fails, there's surgery. Above all, go get it checked out by a specialist.
Re weight: As stated above, weight loss can do wonders in relieving pain related to orthopedic impairments.
Re chiropractors: I know people who swear by them, and that's also evident by at least one person here. But frankly, I would avoid them. First of all, the basis of their practice is unproven. Second, if you have nerve involvement, manipulation is not advisable. Third, if you do have a condition that necessitates medications and/or surgery, chiropractors can't do a thing for you, which means that your options are vastly limited by going to a chiropractor.
Good luck
