Over time, however, RA will begin to affect larger joints, including the hips, shoulders or knees, and symptoms will become more severe, with remission periods shortening.
RA also may present with other symptoms, which can include:
· Chronic fatigue
· Fevers
· Numbness in the hands or tingling sensation, caused by carpal tunnel syndrome as a result of RA
· Pain in the front of the foot
· Locked joints, especially in the knees and elbows
· Anemia
· Morning stiffness
· Loss of appetite/weight loss
· Dry eyes and mouth
· The appearance of hard lumps, called rheumatoid nodules, beneath the skin around the elbows or hands
· Injuries that are slow to heal, especially in younger patients