Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Susan Spinasanta

Senior Medical Editor

SpineUniverse

With rheumatoid arthritis, your symptoms may include:

• headache
• neck pain
• paresthesias (abnormal sensation, such as burning or prickling)
• weakness in the arms and legs
• paraparesis (partial paralysis)
• joint swelling—they'll be tender and warm usually
• pain
• stiffness that lasts more than 30 minutes in the morning (or, if you take a rest during the day, stiffness that lasts more than 30 minutes after you get up then)
• loss of joint motion and muscle strength
• fatigue
• loss of appetite
• fever
• difficulty sleeping

One important note about affected joints: there is a symmetrical pattern. Therefore, if your right wrist is affected, your left wrist also has symptoms.

It's also important to note that the symptoms affect everyone differently. You may have symptoms that come and go, or you may have symptoms that last for years. You may not experience fevers, but you may have a lot of trouble sleeping. Your symptoms don't have to match this list or the symptoms of someone else suffering with RA.