I feel like I have rheumatoid arthritis, but I had a blood test and it was ruled out. I can predict rain with these joints now! In especial pain are the tops of my knees and my thumbs (can’t open jars). Also painful are my ankles, toes and fingers.

My OB referred me to my general practitioner. He told me to take ibuprofen, which is helping, but long term I don’t think it’s a good idea to take a constant regimen of it.

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Rheumatoid Arthritis can commence at any age but generally begins between the ages of 20 and 45. This article examines some of its symptoms and causes.

The symptoms and signs: Joint stiffness, particularly in the hands and feet, in the mornings when getting up from bed. A telling sign can be that the stiffness is experienced in either both hands or both feet – not just one. Stiffness that lasts for over an hour, or pain and swelling that persists for more than a month or so may also be indicative of rheumatoid arthritis.

Early symptoms may also include fever, excessive tiredness or nodules under the skin – these feel like pea-size lumps. Other possible symptoms are anemia, fluid collecting on the ankles or behind the knee and loss of appetite. In children, a pink rash may follow the characteristic swollen joints and there may be shaking chills.

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